First interview with Crawley Town's new signing Ben Radcliffe
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00:00Ben, a massive welcome to Crawley. How happy are you to have signed a deal with the club?
00:10I'm delighted. It was a while in the making and I've said I know Rob already from Gateshead,
00:15so I'm delighted to be here and get going.
00:17Yeah, was that a big appeal? Obviously, having worked with Rob at Gateshead towards the start of the season, was that a big appeal, you joining here?
00:22Yeah, it's a style of play that I really like and I really enjoy.
00:26Obviously, I didn't get to work with Rob for as long as I maybe wanted.
00:29So, when I knew that there was permanent interest, it was a no-brainer, really.
00:33Yeah, and obviously, it's good progression for yourself.
00:35Obviously, getting a good amount of appearances in the National League and it worked out perfectly, didn't it?
00:38Agent Rob coming to League One, obviously with Derby previously.
00:42So, yeah, it's a good step for your career, isn't it?
00:44Yeah, I mean, hopefully I can come in and make an impact.
00:46Obviously, it's not maybe where we want to be in the league.
00:48So, I think there's an opportunity for me to come and make an impact in the team and hopefully start climbing the table.
00:53But, yeah, the big appeal was the management and the style of play.
00:56And, yeah, hopefully I can make an impact.
00:58Yeah, obviously, a very rare sort of occurrence, obviously, doing the media after you've already signed and made an appearance for the club.
01:04Obviously, a disappointing result in your first appearance, but a couple of good moments for yourself.
01:08How did you find it out there playing League One football?
01:10Yeah, it's always difficult to come on.
01:13It's sort of a freebie, really, at 3-0 down.
01:16But I enjoyed it.
01:17It was a good taste of what I maybe can come up with.
01:21Yeah, I mentioned get starts, get minutes and really make an impact on the team.
01:25We're not where we want to be in the league.
01:27I think that's pretty clear.
01:28But there's an opportunity and there's a good set of lads to push on and really kick on.
01:33I've seen in training for the last few days that there's enough there to really kick on.
01:37So, I'm looking forward to the opportunity.
01:40Yeah, and literally a day after you signed, you're sort of out there playing.
01:43Is that sort of the perfect way to get started at the club, just getting thrown in at the deep end?
01:47Yeah, that's the thing.
01:48I didn't even come to Cardiff before I signed.
01:50I met them on the way up, sort of not thrown in at the deep end.
01:54But there's no time to prepare, really, which can be a good thing.
01:58There was no pressure, really.
02:00It was a free hit, really.
02:02So, yeah, it obviously wasn't ideal to come on in.
02:05But at the same time, it was maybe a blessing in disguise.
02:08Yeah, and what was your first impressions of the squad and the lads?
02:12Because, as you say, the first time you met them was at the hotel.
02:14So, how have you found the first couple of days?
02:16They've been really welcoming.
02:18It's always tricky coming into a new team.
02:20But I knew a few of the lads, a few various things previously.
02:23And they've been really good.
02:24The training's been good, really sharp, really on it.
02:28So, hopefully, going in towards Burton at the weekend, we'll have a good, positive week next week
02:33and go in with a good attitude and ready to get three points.
02:36Yeah, and you'd obviously want to be playing this weekend.
02:38But again, in another rare occurrence, you've got no game.
02:40So, do you think that will help you?
02:42Obviously, you've had that first experience,
02:44but you'll now have a full week on the training ground before your next potential appearance.
02:48So, do you think that will work in your favour?
02:50Yeah, I think so. I think maybe we needed the two weeks.
02:52I've watched a lot of the games previously and maybe results haven't gone our way.
02:56So, a good two-week stint of training and really getting some training pitch minutes was maybe what we needed.
03:02We've been in half-sea every day this week and it's been really good, really sharp.
03:05And then heading into next week as well.
03:07Just getting down those concepts that Rob and Louis always...
03:12Not bang on a bell, but you know what I mean.
03:14So, yeah, it's been a good first few days.
03:17Hopefully, going into next week, we'll keep kicking on on Saturday.
03:20Yeah, and those select fans that were there at Barnsley would have seen all you're about.
03:23Rob described you as someone who defends first and is a good mix of an old-school defender
03:29and a new up-and-coming defender that's good with the ball at his feet.
03:31But for those who weren't at Barnsley, how would you describe yourself as a player?
03:34Yeah, similar to that, really.
03:36I'm defending first.
03:37I take more pride in clean sheets and goals and assists, I'd say.
03:40Yeah, I mean, I'm a defender by trade, so that's what I'm here to do.
03:45I'm not here to, you know...
03:47If I can join in and get a couple of goals or assists or whatever, that's a bonus.
03:51If I can keep clean sheets, that's what I'm here to do.
03:53That's my bread and butter.
03:55Obviously, maybe we've been conceding a few too many goals recently,
03:58so hopefully there's a turning form coming and my defending can really help that.
04:03Perfect. Well, Ben, welcome to Crawley.
04:05Thank you very much.