David Enjoying Role at Clyde

With no competitive action taking place for The Bully Wee this weekend, David Goodwillie took the time to give his thoughts for the latest extended player interview on the official website.

The Clyde forward started by admitting that recent results had been very disappointing:-

“It’s certainly not been what we wanted. We start each week looking to get three points on the Saturday, but it hasn’t gone like that. We’re staying in a positive frame of mind though and hopefully we can come out of it and get a good run going in the next few weeks.

“Looking at the games, we’ve done well at times, but it’s just that bit of concentration over the 90 minutes. We all, as a team, need to stay focussed until the final whistle to get the results we need.”

Earlier last month, The Bully Wee were deserved winners away at league leaders Stirling Albion and David was adamant that that sort of form could be repeated more consistently:-

“I know that we can beat the best teams in the league and, personally, I don’t think any of the teams we have played are any better than us. It’s just been a lack of concentration or a mistake that’s been punishing us and we need to cut that out.”

Next week, it’s the start of the 2017-18 Scottish Cup campaign, with a long journey to Highland League side Keith. David said:-

“For Keith, it’ll be their ‘cup final’ to take on a senior team and we need to be ready for that and show them the respect they deserve. If we do that, hopefully we can come out on top.

“A good run in the cup could be financially great for the club and I think the boys would love it as well. The Scottish Cup is a great experience and I was lucky enough to be involved in a final, which was a fantastic day. To get as far as we can would be great for the boys.”

After joining Clyde in March and helping the club avoid a relegation play-off, the 28-year-old then put pen to paper on a new two-year contract. He explained the background behind the deal:-

“Circumstances meant that I joined Clyde toward the end of last season and I felt that I had to be loyal to the club. When I first arrived, everyone around the club was great to me and to be honest I was I was hoping I’d be asked to stay. I was delighted to sign and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.

“I’m just happy to be playing again and hopefully I can add a bit of quality to the team and we can climb up the league.”

Being one of the most senior players in the squad, with experience at the top level of the game, David is looked upon as a leader within the first team group and he revealed that he is comfortable with that role:-

“I wouldn’t say I’m a leader as in a captain, but I think I’m a good person to have in the changing room; if someone is having a bad day or someone is down, I’m always there to put an arm around them and be as upbeat as I can. I think that’s my role in the dressing room.

“There are times, like the last few weeks, when things go against you but you can’t come into training dragging your feet. You’ve got to be upbeat and think about the positives and that’s what I do.”

David’s consistent level of application and commitment to the team has earned praise from the coaching staff and supporters alike, but he was matter-of-fact about it:-

“As I said, I’m just happy to be playing. If it is 5-a-sides with my mates, I’m exactly the same, I just want to win! I’ve still got that competitiveness in me, no matter what level it is, and hopefully that shows on a Saturday.

“Other teams might target me and try to stop me, but I just take that as a compliment. I try to take a bit of the focus and that can backfire on the opposition if it allows someone else to come up with the goods. We’ve got another ten players that can do the business.

“I enjoy the responsibility and when I come in on a Saturday I’m excited for it. I think about the next game all week. To have a bit of pressure and be seen as a leader, I’m relishing it.”

Clyde is David’s first experience of being in a part-time environment in his career to date, but he only highlighted one significant difference to being a full-time player:-

“The big change is trying to keep in peak physical condition, because it’s only two nights a week for training. I try and keep myself active and go to the gym. That’s really the only big change. Apart from that it’s not a lot different – the training is the same, the changing room is the same and it’s like you’ve never been away from football.”

To conclude, David gave a positive insight to the mentality of the squad and also thanked the Clyde support:-

“Everyone in the changing room is still positive and we’re going for promotion, whether that is winning the league or through the play-offs. That’s still in our heads and hopefully it will be for the rest of the season. We just need to get a few wins together and we’ll be back up there again.

“I’d like to thank the fans for accepting me and hopefully I can repay them on the pitch with some goals and some good memories over the next couple of seasons.”