Player Interview: Connell Rawlinson

    Blues defender Connell Rawlinson has been speaking to The Seals Podcast ahead of Saturday’s game against Hereford.

    Episode 47 of the Official Chester FC Podcast will be released tomorrow, as Connell reflects on recent back-to-back defeats, most recently Saturday’s 4-0 loss to Curzon.

    He said: “The main feeling in the changing room was disappointment.

    “The Gaffer always comes out and looks after us players, he does it all the time in his interviews. But we need to take more accountability as a group.

    “We’re together. We’re only a few points outside the play-offs and in the summer promotion was the aim.

    “No league is won in October, so I think everyone needs to stick together and look forward to the weekend.”

    Back-to-back losses have seen the Blues drop down to 13th place, but still just six points off third and will use the previous unbeaten run as motivation to start climbing the table once more.

    “When you look at the season so far, we have had a really good start. It’s the best start the club have had in the last three years.

    “Saturday was disappointing, but we’ve come back in and we’re working hard this week and it’s so important that everyone – players, staff, supporters – all stick together and we go and put a good result and performance on this weekend.”

    The experienced centre back – and multiple title and promotion winner – spoke highly of the backroom staff since coming back to his hometown club.

    Connell said: “I’ve been around the game a long, long time – and I’ve played under a lot of Managers; some good and some not so good!

    “When I left Notts in the summer, I’d spoken to Cal in the past and I loved his personality and I loved what he brought to the table.

    “He’s a very, very good Manager – especially for this level. Him, Mikey, Col and all the backroom staff are a great team.

    “They leave no stone unturned, the quality in training and the sessions are good. The messages and philosophy are all there.

    “The players have let the staff down in recent weeks, not the other way round. We’ve got things we need to put right this weekend.”

    Next up for the Blues is a home game on Saturday against high-flying Hereford, who sit fourth in the table and have sold out their 500 strong allocation for the fixture.

    “Their fans will be right behind them, and we need our fans to be right behind us.

    “We’ve got a good run of games now where, if we can get the results back to where we were in September, we will be right back in the mix before we know it.

    “Hopefully Saturday we can put things right and start progressing forward.”

    ————————————————————————————————————————-

    Hear from Connell, Jack Bainbridge, Mitch Hancox and CFU Vice-Chair Jim Green tomorrow at thesealspodcast.buzzsprout.com, on Episode 47 of The Seals Podcast.