NEW recruit Jake McCarthy insists he is prepared for the physicality of non-League football as a Weymouth player.
The versatile midfielder, who agreed a one-year contract with the club following his release from AFC Bournemouth last month, admitted while he wants to show his technical ability on the ball, he is also “not afraid” to put a tackle in.
The 21-year old, whose loan clubs include the likes of AFC Totton, Dorchester, Havant & Waterlooville and most recently Maidstone United, believes his spells at these teams have helped him prepare for the campaign ahead.
The Blandford-based youngster, who spent a decade coming through the ranks with the Cherries, told Echosport: “In signing for Weymouth, I am looking forward to getting in and meeting more of the staff and the lads I haven’t met yet.
“It’s going to be a different challenge playing in that league but it’s one that I am ready for and I’m looking forward to getting involved.”
Asked about the difference between non-League and under-21 fixtures, McCarthy added: “It is different. I won’t lie, when I went on loan at Totton for my first move it sort of hit me.
“Where under-21s football is quite nicey-nicey in the sense of passing the ball around with not too many aggressive tackles, as soon as you go into these other games there is more on the line and it’s a lot more aggressive.
“It helped me develop my game when I went out on loan. I developed quite quickly because you have to adapt.
“It’s more of an aggressive game and you have to add bits to your game that you didn’t really have in the under-21s.
“It’s a lot tougher but it made me an overall better player because I grew from that experience. I am prepared for it and it’s good to have consistent games on Saturdays and Tuesdays.”
Asked what Terras’ fans can expect to see from him, McCarthy, who believes he is set to be used in a midfield role rather than in defence, added: “I’m a player that likes to get on the ball and beat a man.
“But at the same time, I like a tackle and I don’t mind getting stuck in when I need to get stuck in because in midfield in these sort of games, sometimes you are just fighting for second balls.
“If there’s a tackle that needs to be made, I am not afraid to make it.”
He added: “I spoke to Moles (Mark Molesley, manager) when I first signed the contract and he said he is going to play me in midfield but I have that versatility where, if need be or injuries occur, and I need to play centre-back, then I have that in my locker as well.”
