New recruit feels Hatters can push on in League 2
With anticipation building ahead of the big-kick off on Saturday, we wanted to gauge the thoughts of the players in the Hatters’ camp. Straight-talking scouser Paul Connolly stepped up to discuss the challenges that lie ahead…Paul on…Carlisle
“It couldn’t be a harder game, I don’t think. I played there last year, it was tough to go there and it’s going be a good test for us. It’s going to liven us up as well, because if we think it’s going be easy, Carlisle will definitely, definitely tell us it isn’t going to be that way.
“It’ll show us what we’re going to be facing because I think they’re going to be up there this year.
“I think the first month is going be a tough start to the season, because we’re going be up against some good teams. Wimbledon and Bury have attracted some good players, so we’ll know within six games if we need a kick up the backside or if we need to push right on and keep our form going.”
Paul on…season targets
“We haven’t mentioned promotion or anything but I think it’s on my mind. That’s what I’ve come here for so I’m sure everyone else is thinking about it.
“I came here to get promoted. No offence to League 2, but I don’t want to be here for five years.
“I know Alex Lawless, who is a good mate of mine, came here four years ago to get out of the Conference…and four years later he’s finally got out of it. You want to kick on again.”
Paul on…the difference between League 2 and the Conference
“I don’t think there’s much difference, apart from the odd couple of part-time teams. You take heart from that because we’re miles bigger than Stevenage or Crawley, miles bigger, so if they can do it [get back-to-back promotions], we can definitely do it. I feel if we played those two teams now, we’d give them a good game, probably beat both of them anyway, I feel we’re better than them.
“But I do think it’s a stronger league than it has been in a long time, because I think Oxford will be up there…in fact I could mention seven or eight teams.”
“We might not be 20 points clear like last year, but we’ll be in the mix I think and as long as you’re in the mix you’ve got a chance.”
Paul on…overcoming defeats
“It’s not going to be easy for anyone, we’ve got to take the knocks. People are going to come to Kenilworth Road and are going to beat us, and we’ve got to bounce back.
“We’ve got to get used to that: where teams are going to be matching us and stifling us.
“But if we can get off to a good start and the fans can roar us on like I know, I’ve seen the atmosphere here, then I think we’ll be alright.”