'Exciting times at Turner's Cross' ahead for Morrissey

Earlier today Gearóid Morrissey became the latest member of the 2013 Cork City squad to re-sign for the coming season when he put pen to paper on a new one year deal at the club.

Speculation had linked the former Blackburn Rovers player with the likes of St Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers as well as clubs across the water, but when Extratime.ie caught up with him this afternoon he revealed it was a relief to finally put the issue to bed and commit to the Rebel Army.

“You know when you’re juggling so many different options and things that could be happening, it becomes a bit overwhelming. It’s constantly on the brain – when you’re going to bed, and when you wake up it’s the first thing you think about.

“So it’s good now because I know exactly what I’m doing and now I can just concentrate on getting fit for pre-season.”

Having signed on the dotted line, Morrissey’s thoughts immediately turned to pre-season. With the club due to return to training on January 6^th, the 22-year-old midfielder has already seen his new manager capture some exciting players and he is refusing to put a limit on what his side can achieve in 2014.

“To be honest, I think there is really no limit for us. You see what Dundalk done last year, they wouldn’t have been tipped to go on and do as well as they did.

“It just goes to show that if you can make the right signings, you can get the team to gel, you get the right manager and coaches and you’re training the right way and doing things right – why can’t you go and win the league and why can’t you be in the FAI Cup final?”

If the Leesiders are to push on from last season they will need a better start to the season. Late goals, points dropped and home defeats were all unwelcome parts of Cork City’s early season form. Rather than sweep the bad times under the carpet though, the former Ringmahon Rangers player is keen to use the experience as a positive.

“You learn a lot. Even going into games, you kind of start a game with a different attitude. It’s not that you’re not giving it 100%, or you are not trying your best, but you have it in your head that ‘look we’re not going to let this happen’.

“We went through it last season, we know what leaking goals in the last minute and things like that can do, and how it can affect your season.

“We finished sixth, if we didn’t have the start we had or even if we had an alright start and picked up a few points here and there, we could have been top four.

“That’s the main thing really, don’t leave anything silly happen.”

There has also been a real buzz on Leeside since Caulfield has taken over at the club and like many others Morrissey has been impressed by his new manager’s straight-shooting approach.

When Extratime.ie spoke to Caulfield last week, the club’s all-time record appearance holder was open about the challenges he faced in his new role and the contract negotiation process. It is clear when talking to Morrissey that this openness is much appreciated by the players who have been impressed by Caulfield so far.

“He’s been really good to be honest. He’s determined and he’s as honest as they come. What you see is what you get and he says it like it is.

“If you’re doing contracts with managers, sometimes there’s a bit of smoke and you don’t know and you’re trying to judge it. But he says it how it is and that’s the main thing I like about him – his honesty.

“Also from the players he has signed, you can see the intent he has and what he wants to do. He’s not just looking to just to see what he can do in the League of Ireland, he’s really going to make a go of it.

“There’s no bluffing and from what he’s been saying about next season I think it’s going to be exciting times at Turner’s Cross…the visions he has and what he wants to do. But it’s not just that, it’s how determined he is to do them. He’s not just saying it willy nilly, you can see it on his face that he’s deadly serious.”

Talking to Morrissey, his ambition is clear. His ambition for the team is self-evident and the conviction in his voice when he speaks of “exciting times” ahead and “why not’s” is unquestionable.

When it comes to personal ambition and progress, the former Ireland underage international is clear on where he sees his future on the pitch and what he needs to do to develop his game.

Firstly, while 2013 saw Morrissey switch sporadically from centre midfield to the wing and back again, but there is no doubt in his mind where he should be playing.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had one or two good games on the wing, but realistically for me I need to be established as a centre midfielder in the league rather than ‘yeah he plays on the right there sometimes, and sometimes in the middle’. For me I’m learning my trade so I need to learn my position as a centre midfielder the best I can and the only way I can do that is by playing there.

“While it can be good for the team, it can be kind of detrimental for me if I’m being put out of position because I’m not going to be a winger. I might do a job on the day, but I’d rather be in the middle and try and perfect being a central midfielder.

“I’m not the player who’s going to get the ball, get my head down and run at players. I like to pick it up and pick out a pass.”

Another aspect of his game where the young Cork City midfielder sees the need for improvement is his goal tally. Despite assisting more league goals than any of his teammates this year (seven), Morrissey is keen to improve on his tally of two league goals.

“Last season I felt while I was slightly a bit more defensive than Shane Duggan, I should have got more goals really. I didn’t get in the box enough, but this season I’m going to make it a primary target to score more goals.

“I know I can score goals. Growing up I’ve always been a goalscorer, but when I came to City I kind of fell into a role of being a bit more defensive. I sat there and didn’t get into the box as much as I used to or should have but this season I’m going to do that.”