By Club Reporter, George Pacitto
With Carlisle Futsal Club’s home Super League debut a mere 24 hours away, final preparations to host one of the best teams in the country are being undertaken by players and staff. With a full pre-season under his belt, and the pain of last week’s 3-1 defeat to Sheffield fresh in the memory, Gavin “Gav” Mitchell is keen to get his and Carlisle’s season up and running.
Born just north of the border in Gretna Green way back when in 1990, Gav brings much needed Scottish steel to the side. Given that he had such a stop start campaign last season due to injury, his desire to stay in the first team consistently this time around is evident.
To do that, Gav will have to keep excelling in his new role in Frank Chiarella’s system. It’s something that has already shown its benefits. “I scored 2 against Derby and another 3 against Gateshead [in preseason].”
“I’ve also found the net more frequently in training. I’ve really enjoyed training, Frank knows his stuff and his arrival has given everyone a boost to try and kick on and raise our standards higher.”
On his new role, he explains that “The system really suits my game, im picking up central areas more often which is best suited to my game compared to the traditional wingers position I was in before.”
He is not one for getting carried away, and he knows that “the role is new and will take a bit of getting used to, but it enhances my best attributes.”
As a member of the squad that tasted defeat to Sheffield, Mitchell believes that Carlisle will be showing vast improvements by the end of the season. On the 3-1 reverse, he explains his “disappointment” with the result.
“The performance was not great. Maybe that is down to the breaking in period for this new system we are starting to implement.” Although Gav insists Carlisle are not fazed by the top level of domestic futsal.
“We do realise we have jumped up to a higher level, but I don’t think we did ourselves justice last week as I know we are a better team that what we may have shown in Sheffield.”
Carlisle will be hoping this fearless attitude will translate into results throughout the season. Some would argue that there will be no tougher test at home to Birmingham, a side with eyes on the Super League North title itself. The midfielder insists that the squad will be well prepared.
“We had a huge training session this week that helped with implementing the system, and come Sunday with Frank there to guide us we know can put a performance on for the fans.”
“The Birmingham game is going to be very interesting, as they are one of the top in the division. It is down to us as a squad to go out and give 100% and hopefully that will leave us with the three points.”
With a strong emphasis on teamwork within the heart of Carlisle’s squad, the side will be hoping to pull together in tomorrow’s first home fixture of the season. Players like Gav Mitchell will be key in driving the Club forward both on and off the court.
Online sales for tickets are now closed but there will be tickets available at the Sands Centre reception priced at £5 each on the day. Please come along and support the lads.
