We caught up with Callum Connolly on Monday night in preparation for this weekend’s programme notes.
As you know, I’m privileged to get to speak to the players and write up the interview for the programme, but was able to get a few bits from Callum for Stacey West readers too.
We spoke at length about his international career, spells at Ipswich and Bolton as well as his views on the Imps. You can read all of that in this weekend’s programme, but we also spoke about last weekend’s game.
By his own admission, the clash with Bristol Rovers wasn’t the best Lincoln performance ever.
“It wasn’t the best against Bristol Rovers last weekend but I think we’re moving in the right direction and hopefully we can kick on,” he said.
Callum, a World Cup winner with England Under 17s, has noticed a special talent within our ranks who he feels can hopefully help us kick on and have a big impact for the Imps over the course of the season; Ellis Chapman.
“First day I saw Ellis I was really surprised at him. In his first session, he was very good and when he told me he was only 18 I was surprised. He’s got a lot of potential in him and hopefully, he can have a big impact for us this year.”
There’s no doubting the last week or ten days have been tough on everyone around the club. Players brought in by the former management team have been left at the club and the mood hasn’t been great on social media and the terraces.
Callum believes the Imps supporters need to keep doing what we’re good at; supporting the team through tough times and good. His message to the fans?
“Keep on doing what you’re doing. I got a shock that first game against Everton, the atmosphere gave me goosebumps. Whatever happens off the field, we need them to stay with us because their support is massive
“It’s special for this level of football and it does help us when we’re on the field too.”
That was certainly evident as we got the better of Rochdale in the second half last night and with 8,000 home fans expected this weekend against a struggling Oxford side, your support is going to be as valuable as ever.
Wikipedia are saying Appleton is Citys new Manager !
Chapman must be saving his talent only for training sessions as he never showed much of it in proper games for us so far….