Top line summary

  • Always ready to play when called upon
  • Confidence high that top six will be achieved
  • Ready to stake a claim as number one next season
  • Savoured experience at 'intense' AFCON

Was David injured at half-time?

“Davie was struggling with his neck, mobility-wise. I think he was a bit uncomfortable before the game. But every game, I have it in my mind to be ready.

“I think you have to tell yourself that you’re starting, even though you’re not. It sounds a bit crazy, but every player has to prepare that way.

“The gaffer always talks about being ready on the bench, so we can come on and make an impact. So you have to be in the right mindset. And I’m watching everything from the bench, tactically, how they press, the distances between the back four, all the goalkeeping things you need to be knowledgeable on.

“Even if it’s a quiet game, you have to be 100 per cent focused and concentrated, you still want your distances and angles to be spot on, so it still takes a toll on you, physically and mentally, even if you don’t have many saves to make. But David didn’t have to do much."

Is it easier coming on when the team is already 3-0 up?

“No! It’s never easy coming on, in any circumstances.  Mentally, you have to adapt to the game, the speed of the game, figuring out where you have to move. It’s never easy getting your positioning right when you come on.

“The early save was one I’m expected to save. That’s what I’m saying about having to be alert and having to be ready.

“Imagine coming on and you’re not in the right mindset, it goes past you, then everyone is saying you weren’t ready to come on. So I’m glad I didn’t have much to do, just a few kicks – but I’m pleased with the performance.

“It’s always good to get a clean sheet, especially for the lads who are running their socks off for the full game. It’s the foundation for a victory."

That's six games unbeaten now...

“The new manager implemented his own style of play. And then when I came back from AFCON, we’d made a few signings in January – good signings. 

Is there still confidence that the top six can be achieved?

“We’ve got the international break now, then the last few games before the split. But we’re confident we’ll finish in the top six.

Has David been a mentor to you?

“Marsh has had such a great career; it speaks for itself. I’m grateful, in that sense, that he can pass knowledge on to me every day.

“I’ve got great respect for him because he’s such a good pro, works hard every day in training, meaning we can push each other. I’m always learning things; you never stop learning as a pro.

“Obviously only one of us can play. So there is an understanding that, whoever is playing, you have to respect that – and you have to support them.

“Because, if I was playing, I would want that from everyone else. So it’s healthy competition. But it’s important that we have a good group who support each other.

Do you feel ready to take the shirt next season?

“Yeah, I always have that in the back of my mind. You always have to be ready and things change very quickly in football – so you have to be ready for anything.

“If that’s what I’m called to do then, yeah, I’ll be ready for it."

Are you going on international duty with Ghana?

"Yeah, I'm flying out on Monday to play Uganda and Nigeria in Morocco."

What was the AFCON experience like?

“International football is a different experience, a different culture, and I really enjoy going away.

“AFCON obviously didn’t go as planned. But the thing with African football, a lot of people don’t see what goes on behind the scenes. The culture, the way everything is organised. It’s so much different to European football.

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“And it’s always difficult playing at those tournaments, with players from top leagues all over the world. It was a really good experience.

“When I say it’s different, I just mean the intensity. There is so much talent there, lads who are just going 110 miles an hour every game.

“The climate as well, you’re playing in 35 degrees hit. The pitches, the different ball, there are so many different factors. But it was a really good experience.”