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Josh Carson expects better from Coleraine this season

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Josh Carson insists there is enough quality within Coleraine’s changing room to improve on last season’s sixth place finish in the Danske Bank Premiership . A fter being runners-up three times in the previous four years heading into the 2021/22 campaign, the Bannsiders faltered over Christmas and never really recovered as their season petered out. Furthermore, they were beaten in the Final of the BetMcLean League Cup and missed out on European qualification after a play-off defeat to Larne.

Carson, who has been at The Showgrounds since 2017, has backed his team-mates to overturn fortunes and get back on track during 2022/23. “Pre-season has gone well, we have worked hard and played in plenty of friendlies,” says the former Northern Ireland international. “We had a few injuries leading into pre-season from last season but we have managed to get them back and get going again.

“We have made several great signings and you can see the quality that they have already during training and in matches. “Lee Lynch and Jack O’Mahony both scored against us last season, whilst Dean Jarvis managed to accumulate a couple of clean sheets against us. “There is definitely an added hunger to do well, last year was tough and we had a bit of bad luck along the way but that happens.

“Since I’ve joined, I don’t think we’ve had a disastrous campaign and we managed to do well to reach a Cup Final last season but we should have finished higher than sixth. “We are looking forward to the start of the season, we will gather around as a group and do what we can. “We have a difficult home assignment against Cliftonville up first and they were brilliant last season and they have great strength in depth, especially when they can bring the likes of Joe Gormley on from the bench.

“However, we will concentrate on ourselves and hopefully pick up a good run of results. ” Carson, who was on the books at Ipswich Town and York City earlier in his career, has played almost every position for the Bannsiders since arriving from Linfield. Despite favouring a central midfield spot, the Antrim ace stresses that he is simply delighted to get the nod to start games.

“My sole aim is to play as many games as I can and stay fit,” he adds. “Football is a team sport and, whilst I think having personal aims is good, it is all about the team and it’s important we work hard for each other. “We have had top class sessions so far from the coaching staff but we need to take it into the season.

“As long as I’m on the pitch, I will play anywhere and I want that to be the case when the campaign starts. ” A lot has been said about part-time teams struggling to compete with the full-time sides in the Premiership due to better contact time with players, recovery sessions, finance and infrastructure. Carson, however, vehemently argues that he and his team-mates still put in just as much effort as those in a more favourable position.

“At the end of the day come a match day, it is still 11 players versus 11,” he says. “I feel we are as fit as any of the full-time teams despite them having two or three more training sessions in a week. “They probably have more pressure to do well and that’s where it suits us as we can go under the radar a bit and concentrate on ourselves.

“I have never felt we haven’t given any of the full-time teams a game and that has been evident in our results. “We have a good changing room, a good manager and staff and we always put the hard graft in and that will continue. ” The Bannsiders boasted one of the best attendances throughout the 2021/22 campaign and that is expected to continue as over 900 season tickets have been sold so far.

Carson acknowledges that it would have been easy for supporters to throw in the towel after last season but was full of praise for their continued backing. “Since I’ve been here, the fans have came out in their numbers both home and away,” the 29-year-old continues. “They have been loyal and made The Showgrounds a horrible place to come for visiting teams.

It would have been easy for them to think about giving next season a miss due to our inconsistency in 2021/22 but, to be fair, they have bought season tickets in their droves and we have had a good crowd for our pre-season fixtures. “It is a common cliché but they really are our 12th man and we are going to need them this season. “Here’s hoping we can give them something to celebrate this season as they deserve it.

” Related topics Coleraine FC Danske Bank Premiership.


From: belfasttelegraph
URL: https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/sport/josh-carson-expects-better-from-coleraine-this-season-41905395.html

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