After Carlisle United's 2-1 victory against Southend United at Roots Hall, we spoke to attacker Chris Conn-Clarke.
Speaking to CUTV, he discussed his two-goal contributions, team spirit and momentum building.
Here is everything we learnt:
Fast Start and Composure Under Pressure
“It was a good game. We got off to a great start, leading 2-0, but Southend kept their heads, and they came back and scored a goal and had us on the back foot for a bit, but we’d done well to manage that, and we got three points.”
Buzzing with the Goal and Assist
“I was buzzing with the goal. I scored two on my debut, but I wanted to get off to a start in the league, and I got the ball and Georgie (Kelly), he’s made a great run, just opened the space for me, and I’ve just passed it in.”
“And then the second one, I’ve passed it to Regan, and he’s done all the work and put us 2-0 up.”
Telepathic Link-Up Play
“I heard him screaming. I could hear him, but no, I always know where he is. He makes great runs, and he’s a great player. I’m glad I found him.”
Calm in Front of Goal
“I’ve said Georgie (Kelly), he’s just made that run, and then I’m in front of the goal and I’ve just composed myself. I know I don’t need to slide shot it.
“The surface was slippy, so I’ve just passed it in and lucky enough, it just went in.”
Denied by a Brilliant Save
“The keeper’s made a great save. I was fuming going in at the break, having not scored it, but again, I’ve got it on the edge and took the touch and the keeper made a great save before half-time.”
Fighting for Each Other
“Yeah, the lads dug in. That’s what we are. We’re a great bunch of lads. Even the people coming off the bench, Jellis (Jack Ellis), there coming off the bench and Luke (Armstrong), even when he came on at the final minutes, it proved well, and everyone’s fighting for each other and that’s why we’re top of the league at the minute.”
Togetherness at the Core
“Everyone’s together. It doesn’t matter if you’re on the bench or not on the bench, everyone’s together, and we do have a real good team spirit, and it comes from the coaching staff.”
Focused on the Journey Ahead
“It’s still early on, isn’t it? We aren’t even in January yet.
“As I said, you don’t win the league before April or May, whenever it is, but we just know what we need to do and it’s just game by game for us and that’s it.”
Momentum Building Confidence
“Yeah, it’s perfect. It’s good for us.
“Momentum’s key in football. Even the FA Cup match against Reading, which just gave us even more belief, but coming to places like this, it’s tough, and we said before the game, if we get the three points, it’ll be massive for us, and we hung on in the end, but we’ve done that.”
Taking the Miles in Stride
“Everywhere with Carlisle is a mission away, but no, it’s all right. The club treat us well.
“We’re always in good hotels and we get the train down and no, we’re all right.”
Unwavering Support from the Fans
“Yeah, the fans, look, honestly, they travel in their numbers no matter where it is.
“Southend, it’s one side of the country to the other and they’re there on a Saturday night and I hope they enjoy their travel back with the three points.”
Watch the full interview on CUTV HERE!
