Before the Blues travel to Blackpool for Sunday's Emirates FA Cup tie, we spoke to Regan Linney.
Speaking to CUTV, he discussed the team’s recent league form, confidence in the squad, his own performances, the FA Cup win against Reading, the challenge ahead at Blackpool and the importance of the fans.
Here is everything we learnt.
1. NOVEMBER HAS BEEN A POSITIVE MONTH
“We've been doing well. We've been picking up results. Everyone's chipping in with goals as well which is really important. And I think we've been really good at the back as well. So overall a positive month.”
2. CONFIDENCE IS GROWING WITHIN THE SQUAD
“I feel like it should when you're winning games or you're not losing games and that's what it's all about. I think confidence should be really high right now and I know it is. You can see it in training. You can see it in games and hopefully we continue it on Sunday.”
3. STRONG LINK-UP PLAY MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE
“Once Clarkey (Conn-Clarke) got one, I saw him making a run myself. I thought, you know what, I'm going to try and keep up with him and that's what I did. He picked me out really well and I slotted it away.”
4. UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN PLAYERS IS KEY
“I feel like sometimes he (Conn-Clarke) doesn’t even need to look. He knows where I am on the pitch and then that's massive. I think there's still quite a bit to come with me and Clarkey. We've linked up really well but there's a lot more to come.”
5. CONTRIBUTING GOALS AND ASSISTS MATTER MOST
“I always want to be on the scoresheet obviously but I'm a winger. I'm not a striker so I'm not always in the box. Obviously Georgie's scoring some fantastic goals but for me I need to get more assists as well as scoring goals. So as long as I'm contributing and helping the team that's all that matters really.”
6. RESILIENCE IS GROWING IN TOUGH MATCHES
“Some games we've obviously picked up the win but we've probably not deserved it or played as well as we should have. But again that's a sign of a good team and hopefully we can continue to do that. Away games like Boston are tough. People think you should just walk over them but the conditions can be difficult. As long as we're winning and picking up results that's the main thing.”
7. FA CUP WIN AGAINST READING WAS SPECIAL
“I was actually gutted to be on the bench but I probably wouldn't have been on for the time I ended up coming on and scoring. That game was probably one of the highlights of my career. Being on the bench fires you up because you want to come on and make a difference. And I managed to do that.”
8. MULTIPLE GOALS MADE IT UNFORGETTABLE
“Once I got my first goal, I wasn’t sure if I would get a second. But as soon as I saw Clarkey in space again, he played it into my path and the second went in. And then when I got my third, I ran the length of the pitch to see the away fans. It was one of the best feelings I've ever had in football.”
9. BLACKPOOL OFFERS EXTRA MOTIVATION
“I obviously wanted Blackpool and I managed to get them. So it's going to be a special game. A lot of my family are Preston and I’m from there myself so it adds a little bit of spice. A lot of my friends are Preston fans as well and they've been messaging me about the game. I'm absolutely buzzing and ready to go.”
10. FOCUS REMAINS ON EACH GAME
“I always stay focused on each game. It might be a bigger stadium or a team in a higher division but every game's the same. We’ve just been concentrating on the games in hand and getting the jobs done before Sunday.”
11. EXPECTING A TOUGH CHALLENGE FROM BLACKPOOL
“I don't think they're doing too well in the league but they are a team that are leagues above. We've got to be on our top form if we want to come out with anything. I'm sure we're ready and raring to go.”
12. BELIEF IS HIGH IN THE SQUAD
“When you play for Carlisle United, every time you step on the pitch you want to do well. No matter who the team is, we all want to perform to our highest levels. If we do that on the day, we'll get the right result.”
13. GUIDANCE FROM THE MANAGER HELPS
“He shares a little bit of that knowledge but he's a relaxed man. He just lets us crack on and prepares us rightly for the task in hand.”
14. MESSAGE TO THE FANS
“We're grateful about how many tickets we've all sold. Get behind us and hopefully we can get the positive result and go on to the next round.”
