Listening to Lawal's Central Cup Hopes

With Manchester Central's County Cup fixture against Denton just hours away, we had a chat with Ruben Lawal regarding last year's foray to the final and his hopes for this season's competition.

Firstly, Ruben, it's been a tough start to the season for Central - but, being in the quarter-finals of the County Cup should give you some hope? Do you think that a win this weekend could spur the side on to better things in the league?

"Definitely. I think that a win would lift spirits massively - especially seeing as it's a cup tie. From our experience last year I know that it brings a great amount of confidence to a team. Honestly? I think that we could go on to win this weekend if we work hard in training and put our all into it for ninety minutes on Saturday."

You're one of just three players who remain from last season's cup final loss. How big was that cup run to the side last year, and do you think that you can go one better this campaign?

"It was massive last year, it completely changed our hopes for the season and I think that we were very unlucky not to come away with the trophy. For sure I think that we can go on to win it, you have to. I believe in this side, there are the early signs of a feeling of togetherness and a hardworking mentality, and I think that if we can work on that then we could become an unstoppable force."

"But, at the end of the day, it all comes down to how we approach things on the pitch this Saturday. I think that it is really important that the players who have been in this situation before - such as Dan, Ruben and I - really take ownership and lead the team."

Finally, Ruben, we've seen you move all over the pitch this season, from front to back. Are you beginning to find your feet in your role as a versatile player in these new positions?

"I'll do anything to help the team, and if Paul and Chris have the belief in me that I can play at centre-back, then I trust them. I have played there to the best of my ability and I think that I have done a fairly good job, as I it allows me to use a lot of the same physical advantages as I like to use whilst up-front. Both Paul and Chris are really pushing me, helping me to become better all over the pitch."

"But, in all honesty, I prefer to see myself as a winger - simply because I'm more used to that position! At the end of the day, its the coaches that make the decisions, I trust their opinions of where I'll be the most useful, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes for this team."