How do you get yourself going before a match?
There’s a few people who put their earphones on; I’m not one of those. I prefer to hear the music from the dressing-room speaker. In my view, if the song in the changing room is getting me psyched up, it’s doing the same to the other lads, too. We need everyone to be on it.
Who is the dressing-room DJ?
So far this season it’s been Mal. To be fair, he’s impressed me. He’s got a very good mixture of songs: classics, new stuff, a bit of RnB. But, if it was up to me, I’d probably have more house playing!
Do you have any superstitions or good-luck charms?
I’m more of a man of routine. If the game is at three o’clock, I like to have my meal at the same time, stuff like that. I like to prepare well.
I do kiss my dog chain round my neck before every game, though. It has both my grandfathers’ names on it. I’ll do that before I get changed.
What’s your relationship like with Mark and the lads?
It’s really good. I’ve worked for Mark before; my relationship with him, alongside already playing with some of the players, was a big factor in me coming in. His style wasn’t new to me, and I already knew what the club was about.
The craic, between the lads, is really good. They make me laugh a lot. Calvin cracks me up the most. No one is safe with him; he’ll go for anyone. I’ve not been on the receiving end yet, but after he reads this I probably will!
What’s the craziest players’ night out you’ve been on?
The night that Bournemouth got promoted in 2022, under Scott Parker, although we didn’t actually head out. We just stayed in the stadium, and absolutely everyone was on it. That was a mental night, one of the best I’ve ever had.
What’s the most disgusting beer you’ve ever drank?
I absolutely hate Foster’s. That might cause a bit of commotion, but I really don’t like it. It’s so heavy and I can’t stand the taste.
Would you rather fight a tiger or a chimpanzee?
A chimpanzee, I think. I’d like to think I can outsmart a tiger, but I probably have more chance with a chimpanzee. I think I could put up a good fight. A tiger would open me up quicker, and I’m not good with blood.
That would be my downfall!
We’ve not had the ideal start. How do you stay relaxed when the team isn’t winning?
The feeling at the moment is that we’ve played well, but just without getting over the line. It’s easy to say that the results will come, but I’m very confident that, with the way we;ve been performing, at some point everything will start to click.
How are you feeling ahead of Slough on Saturday?
We know that it will be a tough test, considering their start. But, the feeling in the camp is that we can give anyone a game, and we know we need to start doing it sooner rather than later. We don’t want the table to be looming over us for too long.
Are you getting tickets for the Oasis reunion?
I’ll try!
I’m already in the pre-sale ballot, and I’ll be having every device up and ready on Saturday morning. Getting tickets will be a complete potluck!
