Every word | Carlton Morris’ first Luton interview! | News
Carlton Morris became Luton Town’s seventh signing of the summer today and before flying to Slovenia to meet up with his new team-mates, he sat down to discuss his move to Kenilworth Road!
Welcome to Luton, Carlton! How does it feel to be a Luton player?
“I am very excited to start.
“I’ve played at Kenilworth Road a few times and it’s never easy going. I’m happy to be on this side now because I want to be in a place where I know I’m confident with the team the player is building. This will go where no Championship club wants to go next season.
“It is important to become a fortress, as it has been in previous years, and to get as many points as possible at home. I’m excited to start with an experienced team, I know a lot of faces here too so it should be a pretty smooth transition for me.”
“We know you’ve spoken to your friend Harry Cornick about the move, have you given him a second thought about what it’s like to play for Luton?
“Of course! It’s going to take a lot of hard work, staying tactically focused and those are the things I pride myself on. There’s nothing I’m not capable of and after talking to Harry last season, he loves this place and I love this guy, so that whatever pleases him will please me too!’
What did the gaffer say to you during your talks, did he have to say a lot to sell the move?
“They sold me pretty easily. He’s very passionate and I really like him as a character too, which is important because it’s good to like the people you work with, because that makes for a better working relationship and breeds success. He said how successful teams have happy and welcoming dressing rooms, and I found that to be the case in my career as well. It wasn’t a hard sell at all.”
We’re sure Corns explained a lot about team spirit and that good character is a big focus of Nathan Jones’ player…
“It’s the same in my experience. The most successful teams I’ve been a part of always believed they had a stable and happy locker room. It’s about good people who will get their heads down, they’re humble, they’ll work hard and that’s what I’m talking about.
“I have never agreed to the cliché that I am like some footballers with big, expensive cars and a bit arrogant. It’s about leaving your ego at the door when you get to training and matches. I know from people I’ve talked to that this is one of those dressing rooms.”
You’ve had plenty of experience in the Championship with Norwich, Rotherham United and Barnsley, so how does it feel to be back in the division?
“First of all, I am very grateful for the opportunity to return to the Championship. I really want to challenge myself, I don’t just want to push through my career. Football is a short game and I have to test myself. I’m incredibly excited about the season ahead, I think the Luton fans and us as a team will be really excited at the prospect of what the season can bring.”
You scored last time you played at Kenilworth Road, but for our fans who don’t know what you are, what kind of player can they expect?
“First and foremost, regardless of performance, the work rate will be 110 percent week in and week out. I will always leave everything on the pitch, but in terms of what I want to bring to the team this season, goals, assists and excitement – and helping the team win, that’s the most important thing.”
Harry Cornick, Elijah Adebayo, Cameron Jerome, Admiral Muskwe, Carlos Mendes Gomes and of course your old strike partner Cauley Woodrow make up an exciting strike force this season. How excited are you to work with them?
“The opportunity to play with Cauley again was another attraction coming to the club. It didn’t quite work out last season because we were both out of the team from time to time due to injuries, but hopefully we can rekindle that fire because we have a lot of good chemistry.
“I saw Eli last season, he’s a great player and I’m really looking forward to working with him. Cornick and I have already developed a certain chemistry as a friendship, so I’m looking forward to seeing how that plays out.”
You also connect with several familiar faces…
“At this point in my career you know a lot of players at different clubs and Luton is like that for me. I know Pelly, James Bree, Cam Jerome, Corns, Cauley – so there are a lot of familiar faces which is always helpful. I’ve met a lot of lads along the way and I hope this will help me get started even faster.”