We sat down with our Second-Year Scholar, Freddie Ingram, ahead of the Young Spitfires’ FA Youth Cup First Round test against Torquay United on Monday night.
Freddie, talk to us about this season in the league. How are things going so far?
We’ve had a good, positive start to the season so far. We’ve had to change our style of play with Jason Brookes coming in and wanting to play slightly different football, but I think all of the lads have taken to it really well. We’re getting good success with the style of football that we’re playing and we’ve won most of our games bar a slip-up against Barking.
You mentioned that you’ve won a few games. Five games played, four wins, and 28 goals scored as a team. To be getting results like you have been, the cohesion and togetherness in the squad must be brilliant, no?
It is really good and that can be seen when we play in the FA Youth Cup as well in moments where we need to stick together and dig deep as a team. When we go forward, we go forward and attack with commitment and Brookesy gives us the license to play with freedom and show our creativity in the final third, and that’s what we seem to have done so far.
You’re into the FA Youth Cup First Round. What’s the mood within the group going into it?
All of the lads are buzzing to be honest! We know the quality that we possess as a group. When the draw was being made, we didn’t really mind who we got because as group, we fancy ourselves against anyone. We’ll prepare for this one well as we do for any fixture and we’ll be ready come Monday night.
The Second Round is the furthest that the club has ever got in the FA Youth Cup, I know it’s premature to be thinking this far ahead but how would it feel to equal that and perhaps even take us that one step further?
It would be unbelievable! We’ve been speaking about it as a group since last year’s run and saying that we need to try and go that one step further, and we honestly believe that we can. We know that we need to take each game as it comes and focus on Monday before anything else but the joy of the FA Youth Cup is not knowing who you’re going to get. You could be a couple of wins away from drawing a Premier League side so we’re really looking forward to it.
Torquay United will visit the Silverlake in the first home game in this competition this season. How excited are you and the lads to play under the lights at the Silverlake Stadium?
I can’t even explain how excited we are if I’m honest! I mean the pitch alone is a massive benefit to playing at home. Having won the league at the Silverlake last season, we know that the pitch is as good as it gets and we’re confident that we can play our style at the Silverlake. Hopefully we can get a few Eastleigh supporters to come down and support us. It’ll be a surreal evening and we’re so excited!
How much have you enjoyed being part of the scholarship programme at Eastleigh FC so far?
I’ve loved it at Eastleigh! I said to some of the other lads that it’s the most I’ve enjoyed my football ever and I think that’s down to the opportunities that they do give you. The coaches let you be yourself and play football without any limitations. The obvious example of opportunities is the chance to play under the lights at the Silverlake Stadium. That sort of chance doesn’t come around everyday so you need to make sure you’re ready so you take the opportunity when it comes.
How has the preparation been in the build-up to this game?
We’re a hardworking group in general and when we play, you can see that. We run for each other and battle for each other. We trained on Friday and we looked at a few things in particular. We’re ready, we feel ready so come Monday night, we know what to do and how to do it.
What has it been like working under Jason Brookes for the first time?
When he first came in, he made changes to the way that we played football and it was very alien to begin with but once you get used to it, it’s great and it’s given me more goals and scoring opportunities than I’ve previously had.
Finally, what are your goals and aspirations for the season both personally, and as a team?
As a team, our aim is to get as far as we can in the FA Youth Cup. We’re in the League Cup which is another good opportunity for us too. We want to win the league again and that’s something that we are working towards.
On a personal level, I just want to continue to improve and get better. I know there are things for me to work on but I’m determined to keep practicing and hopefully, start making an impression on the first-team in the next year or so.
