NICKY ADAMS
Carlisle midfielder Nicky Adams on his amazing unbeaten league run
HE HAS become something of a lucky omen over the past 12 months, but Nicky Adams insists it’s the hard work of his teammates which has led him to an astounding sequence in League Two football.
Adams was part of the Northampton Town side that went unbeaten for the second half of last season. Coupled with Carlisle United’s strong start to this campaign, he was unbeaten in 35 consecutive league matches prior to this weekend.
It’s a run which has taken Carlisle to club record status, unbeaten in their first ten, with Adams keen to divert the praise to those around him, picking out similar attributes to those that gave Northampton their title success last year.
Fancied
“It’s all been down to hard work. I came in and knew straight away what the gaffer (Keith Curle) wanted from us.” he said.
“His ambition was clear and he wants to get promoted, so that’s what we all followed.
“We all want to be successful. We’ve got a really good team and a great set of lads in that dressing room. We got a good result against Portsmouth on the opening day when nobody really fancied us, and that stood us in good stead.
“Portsmouth are a really good side. They were fancied in the league and, for a lot of the game, our backs were up against the wall, but that showed to everyone what we have.
“People know we’ve got good players and can play football, but we showed a different side of our game, too.”
Despite getting to the end of September without defeat, drawing on seven occasions kept Carlisle seventh
in the League Two table – below sides who had lost as many as four games.
But Adams’ experience of getting out of the league is something he wants to draw on.
The departure of Chris Wilder as manager left playing time limited with the Cobblers, encouraging him to step down a division to join Curle in the North West – a move the 29-yearold was more than happy to make.
“When I came in, it was new and quite a surprise to a lot of people that I’d left Northampton,” he added.
“These things happen in football and I was delighted the gaffer came in and wanted to sign me. I knew a few of the lads and the big thing I’ve noticed is that similar team spirit.
“There have been times already this season where we’ve had to dig in.
“We’ve been behind and had to find something, so to show that we have that team spirit and camaraderie to work hard for each other has really stood out for us.
“I had a great year last year, but the new manager came in with his own ideas. It was a nobrainer for me to sign when Keith approached me.”
Maintain
You have to go back as far as December 19, 2015 for Adams’ last taste of defeat in league action for Northampton – a fact not lost on the Brunton Park dressing room. And, while there was a keenness to maintain one of football’s most impressive runs, the midfielder, who netted his first goal of the season at the start of last month, insists he’s more concerned with how the team performs than individual accolades. “I didn’t realise about the record until the club tweeted it, but it’s something I’m quite proud of,” he continued. “It’s a nice little stat to have, but it’s not something that I feel defines me. I enjoy playing and I’m grateful for the chance to play in two really good sides. “Hopefully, we can head in the same direction Northampton did last year. “We’ve drawn games we should have won. That’s a bit disappointing but we’re in a decent place and it’s important to get going, particularly with the side still gelling and coming together. “Getting the wins will be important later in the season.”