Captain content with Pars preparations
Sunday, 9th Jul 2017"It is a privilege for me and it has been good that the boys have all taken to it well
The pre season result against Hibs disappointed everyone but after the nine week long closed season, Callum Morris was pleased to get back to playing at East End Park and to lead the team out as captain, in front of the fans. He told this website:-
"Hibs played virtually two separate teams and we got fatigued in the second half. We were disappointed with the result as anyone would be but there are positives there and it is more about getting the minutes under the belt and getting the touch of the ball again.
"They made changes, we made changes and we probably let ourselves down a few times in that second half. Sharpness will come and we need to get used to everyone and the surface. We will take the positives into Monday now against Raith Rovers.
"We tried out a new system with three at the back and I really enjoyed it to be honest. We didn`t really let Hibs create much in the first half."
Callum claimed that he had no preference whether it is three or four at the back. "I`m just happy to be out there on the pitch. Jean-Yves has come in and you can see what he is like - no nonsense and a bit of a rock there. You are not going to shift him.
"Me and Lee Ashcroft had a good relationship at the back end of last season and Jean has slotted in there well. We have only worked on it a couple of times, so I thought for the first time putting it into practice in a game that we did well.
"It affects not just the back three though, the midfield got on the ball and I think it is just little tweaks that we need to make. I enjoyed it and it`s just something that we need to work on now. It is up to the manager and staff to decide what we are going to do but I`m sure they will come with the best solution for how we play given the personnel available."
Callum hinted that Ryan Williamson`s speed up the right and his ability to cross over balls when most would have given up, was an attribute that should be exploited:-
"He is not normal" he joked "the guy could run back to back marathons. Even Lewis Martin, he has returned in amazing shape this season and probably didn`t expect to be playing left wing back but I thought that he did really well.
"Obviously we have Jason Talbot to return and there is nothing like a bit of competition. It is good to know that we can go for either three or four at the back."
Callum has enjoyed pre-season. There has been hard work but the ball has come out earlier than most would have anticipated. The games are what they all look forward to and although each player will probably only have two and a half matches under their belts, Callum thought that they would be ready for the visit of Elgin City next Saturday for the opening Betfred Cup match.
"It is one of those things, we start so early now - you have hardly been off and you are back. We started our pre season in the middle of June. I remember my first pre season as a kid started on 7th July.
"We were back earlier than a lot of teams, it is paying off fitness wise and the manager is looking to bring more players in. We have trialists at the minute but come the game on a Saturday we will be ready to go.
"It is a cup game and there are things to play for. So people will have to be on their game and it is tougher for the manager to chop and change to give people run outs because there are things riding on it. We are all in the same boat, we will be prepared and make the best of it."
Following Andy Geggan`s return to Ayr United the captaincy has been awarded to Callum Morris. He claimed that was an honour at any club but especially one as big as Dunfermline Athletic which he described as dear to his heart.
"It is a privilege for me and it has been good that the boys have all taken to it well. I think I have got the backing of everyone. The manager has given me the responsibility to lead the team and I think I am capable of doing that. It can possibly lead me on as a player and as a professional.
"It is still early doors, I am enjoying it so far and I`m sure that it will be a good season. I hope to do everyone proud and I’m really looking forward to it.
“There’s no better place to do it. I know the club so well, its ethos and what it’s trying to achieve, which I have wholeheartedly bought into so I hope I can do it justice.
“But what we want is to have eleven leaders on the pitch, and I think we’ve got that. I’m the lucky one who has been given the title, which is brilliant for myself and a nice opportunity after the way my career has gone over the last couple of years.
“There would be no better feeling than to lift the trophy or achieve promotion through the play-offs at the end of the season. We’ve got to take it game by game but I wouldn’t have signed if I didn’t think that the club were capable of promotion."
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