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Interviews

Pre Notts County | Carl Winchester

1 December 2023

Interviews

Pre Notts County | Carl Winchester

1 December 2023

Carl Winchester chatted to the media ahead of our FA Cup clash at Notts County.

The midfielder has some fond memories of the world's oldest knockout competition after being part of the Oldham side that famously beat Liverpool in January 2013.

Carl has impressed for Town both at right wing-back and in central midfield this season.

Speaking to the assembled media, the Northern Irishman previewed today's game as well as our season so far.

And Carl also discussed our lengthy injury list - with Town currently having 10 players in the treatment room.

On tomorrow's game:

"The FA Cup is always exciting. You see all the big teams come in in the next round so if you go out, put in a good performance and get a result you never know who you could get - you could be up against one of the best teams in the country.

"We always have that in the back of our heads but we need to get over this leg first. 

"Notts County are a very good footballing team, we know that. Fingers crossed we can go out there and get the win.

"We played them in pre-season and their strengths are dominating the ball, they like their possession, playing through the thirds and so on.

"We've done our analysis on them and on what ways they like to hurt teams and what's been effective for them during the season.

"We know what we're going to come up against and we've been working hard on the training pitch to get it right for tomorrow night."

On the FA Cup:

"My experience in the FA Cup was when I was at Oldham and we were probably in a similar position to Shrewsbury. 

We got to the third round and got Liverpool at home. It was on TV, Sky Sports I think at the time, and we won 3-2 so it was probably one of the highlights of my footballing career and it was through the FA Cup.

"Speaking to some of the lads about some of the experiences they've had in the FA Cup, it's been unbelievable, that's what you want in your career, moments like that when you come up against the best teams and test yourself.

"Thankfully I have (been tested by the best teams) in the past and some of them have been positive but you can be on the wrong side of them and it's hard, hard work.

"But like I said, anything can happen. Get up there tomorrow and you can have a big game for the fans, the club, for everyone and lift so many spirits up so it's important that we go into tomorrow focused and like I say, hopefully, win the game."

On taking four points from our last two league games:

"Yeah, especially with the amount of injuries we have at the minute. The lads out there are a credit to themselves, their families and everyone associated with the football club because it is hard to keep going and keep going. 

"Some of the lads who are still going will probably be carrying little knocks and niggles and trying to get on with it and play through the pain barrier, but like I say, we know it's a tough game and the lads know if we go out there and stick to our jobs, we can go out there and take on the form we've had in our last two games and get a positive result."

On our injury list:

"I haven't seen anything like this, no. I was speaking to the gaffer and I said someone must have a witch or something in the family or someone is cursed in the team because I literally haven't seen anything like it - it's mental.

"It's one of those things, we're here to do a job and I know it can be tough but we have to take it on board and whatever comes at us we have to deal with.

"Injuries or whatever, you're here to do a job and you have to be professional about it."

On playing in multiple positions:

"Yeah, I think because of the number of injuries a lot of players out there, like me, are just happy to go out there and play for this club and do a job for the team because that's the most important thing you can bring to the club, someone who wants be here, wants to play and to go out there and give it their all.

"I feel like with the lads in the squad we have that."

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