Video summary
Willer reflects on his team's victory in the Carabal Cup as a significant opportunity to implement preseason strategies within a genuine competitive environment. Although he acknowledges that the match was tough against an opponent who had gained momentum from their promotion season last year, he believes the win validates the hard work done during training camp. The player emphasizes that while they faced challenges and could have created more chances themselves, the squad successfully limited the opposition's opportunities through effective pressing, ultimately securing a result that allowed them to leave with confidence after seeing the fans again.
The discussion then shifts to Willer's personal goal-scoring form, which he describes as providing a vital boost in confidence both during preseason and in his first competitive match of the season. He explains the specific tactical situation leading up to his winning strike, noting that the opponent preferred playing out from the back using their goalkeeper frequently. By anticipating this tendency, Willer was able to capitalize on a defensive mistake when he saw the center half fail to track him down, highlighting how the team's pressing system and individual instincts combined perfectly in that moment.
Beyond the specific match details, there is strong praise for the new signings who have integrated seamlessly into the squad despite being inexperienced additions to the side. Willer notes that while having competition for spots among four different positions can be intense, it ultimately pushes every player to improve their performance daily. This healthy internal rivalry ensures that everyone wants to play and perform at a high level, creating an atmosphere where the team looks well-prepared and united as they head into the upcoming league campaign with optimism rather than fear of relegation or failure.
Looking ahead to next Saturday's first league match against North End, Willer expresses immense excitement about returning to Valley Parade in front of its full capacity crowd after a quieter preseason period. He recalls how much he enjoyed last season despite not achieving the desired ending, attributing their promotion success to impressive performances that many did not expect from an established club entering the division for the first time. The player concludes by stating that they will carry all positive learnings and experiences from last year forward, aiming to avoid small mistakes in crucial moments while hoping to hear fans chant his name again after scoring another goal this season.
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Willer winning the Carabal Cup this
afternoon. How did you find that game
today?
>> Yeah. Um I think it was a tough game. I
think um we knew it was going to be a
tough game going into it. Um but I think
it was a good chance to implement some
of the things we've worked on in
preseason in a [clears throat] real sort
of competitive match. Um and yeah, it
was good to see the fans again and and
get come away with a win.
>> Obviously against opposition who are in
the league blows, but similar to us sort
of the year before, they've come up from
a promotion season and a lot of momentum
behind them. How are they as as
opponents today?
>> Yeah, [clears throat] exactly. Like you
say, um a lot of momentum. So, um that's
that's why I'd say we we knew it wasn't
going to be an easy game. Um and um
yeah. Yeah. So, uh we knew that going
into it. um and worked on some of the
things that we've been doing in
preseason. Um press them really well. I
think we
>> [clears throat]
>> um kept them, you know, from having too
many chances. I think we could have had
a few more ourselves. Um but, you know,
we found a way to get the win.
>> Obviously, preseason's about building up
minutes and fitness, but a few goals for
yourself and obviously one today as
well. How pleasing has preseason been
from your perspective and as well
getting off the mark today?
>> Yeah, it is. Um scoring in preseason is
nice. It's uh good confidence boost I
find in the back of the net. Um but
yeah, you know, to do it again today in
a in our first competitive match uh
feels really good.
>> A few different kinds of finishes over
the preseason and obviously today was
more of a capitalizing on on a mistake.
Just talk us through through the goal
and is is that something you've been
working on sort of that killer instinct
almost?
>> Um a bit. I think we knew we
[clears throat] could see that obviously
they they wanted to play out from the
back. They wanted to use their
goalkeeper a lot. Um and obviously the
pressing is a big part of our game
anyway. So um when I saw when I saw them
going backwards I um you know had a
feeling they might try and go back to
the keeper and thankfully the center
half didn't see you coming.
>> A lot of new lads as well sort of
involved in the team but in the team
today in particular. How have they
settled in and how well did they do
today as well?
>> Yeah, I think they've all uh they've all
come in and and jelled really well. They
fit right in. Um I think they all bring
different things to the table. Um and
yeah, I think um uh we look like a we
look like a good squad going into the
season.
>> On those signings, a lot of competition
now in those four positions as well. How
are you finding competing against them
and having such such a good level to to
compete against daily?
>> Yeah, it is. It's a it's always
[clears throat] a good thing to have um
lots of competition. Everyone's fighting
for a spot, but pushes us all to be
better. Um I think um
yeah, it's it's like I say, it's a good
thing. Um, everyone wants to play,
everyone wants to be on the pitch. So,
um, yeah, it's only going to make us
better.
>> Obviously, finally back in competitive
action today. How long have the weeks
been in in building up in anticipation
[clears throat] into into today?
>> Yeah. Um, it's been a tough um tough few
weeks of preseason um as it always is.
Um, and so yeah, it's nice to just get
back out there, [clears throat] get back
to uh playing in front of the fans and
um really looking forward to next
Saturday, our first league match. It
seems to be building up in attendance as
almost the press north end quieter than
today. Today a bit more lively and next
week you'd assume we'll return back to
the 20,000 plus stadium we've seen. How
excited are you to be back playing in
front of that sort of amount of numbers?
>> Yeah, it's um [clears throat] sorry it's
uh it's really exciting. It's a it's a
great place to to come and play,
especially when when it's packed out and
everyone's singing. Um creates a great
atmosphere. Um, and I think uh we we all
love playing here and we we feel like
we're we could beat any anyone uh at
Valley Parade.
>> Back to the league campaign as well in
the offseason, did you have time to
reflect on what was a really positive
season? Obviously, the end wasn't what
we wanted it to be, but there was so
much uh positive things to take from
that night, especially with the fans
reaction. What was sort of your taking
away from from that night in particular?
>> Um, yeah, it was a it's a tough one to
take. Obviously, it was um you know,
it's always going to be disappointing
going out like that. um especially after
the season we had. But um you have to
remember that we not we but the lads had
just got promoted the season before. We
were we just come into the league and um
and to do what we did I think was um it
was very impressive. I I don't think
many people were expecting it. Um and so
yeah, we'll look to to build on that
this season.
>> Is it a case of taking those positive
learnings and everything you experienced
last season into this season? and we are
an established league one club and and
we're going to be competing again this
year.
>> Yeah. Yeah. We'll um use everything that
we learned from last season uh this
season. Um but I think
I think we're we're a good team and we
know how we play. We know how we want to
play. Um it was just small small moments
um in games here and there that they add
up um and it cost us in the in the long
run. So, um, yeah, we'll just try and be
better on them, uh, this season.
>> We've touched on the sports and we'll
end on the sports, but how excited are
you to hear them chant your name again,
especially we touched on the numbers and
we spoke about the chant early last
season. Is that still stuck in your
head? [laughter]
>> Yeah, it is. Uh, the lads sing it a lot
at training. Uh, even when I'm [snorts]
just having me breakfast. Um, so I hear
it a lot, but yeah. Um, sounds better
coming from the fans. So, uh, yeah, hope
I can get another goal.