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JP
Absolutely great news for a lot of fans hearing that you had come back. There had been a bit of a clamour for you to come back this season. How much of a decision was it for you to make?
BM
It wasn't hard really, I just wanted to try to see what my chances at Stoke were and then see what the manager (Tony Pulis) said, and he wanted me to go back out on loan. Carlisle came along again, so I took the chance.
JP
You undoubtedly improved during your last spell with Carlisle United. Is that what Tony Pulis wanted to see a bit more from you then over this next spell?
BM
Yeah, I came here last year and did quite well, so he just wanted me to go back out and get more experience and hopefully go back stronger than I am now.
JP
What are your own personal expectations? Do you want to be potentially knocking on that Premier League door on Christmas? Or do you just have to take it one step at a time?
BM
Just take it one step at a time, I can only keep doing as well as I can and just wait to get that chance and take it.
JP
You played in numerous positions when you were here last time, a couple of fans immediately when you came in asked why Greg Abbott had signed a winger when perhaps his main two wingers (Kevan Hurst and Matty Robson) weren't coming in. Do you feel that you can play more roles than just those wide ones then?
BM
Yeah, I used to play just behind the forwards as a kid, so I am well used to that and also I can play on the wing. So, whichever I get to play I will just try my best and hope to do well.
JP
I believe in coming in on this loan, if there is no midweek game you will be spending a couple of days a week still down with Stoke. How are you going to work around all of your living arrangements for that then?
BM
Before I came the manager mainly wanted me to still stay around the team at Stoke, because he thought hopefully I was going to be involved this year, so to stay there and keep around there. It won't be a problem, I will just train on Monday and Tuesday and then spend the rest of the week up at Carlisle.
JP
And Greg Abbott said that as soon as he saw you in the first training session back with the squad that you looked like you had bulked out and got a little bit bigger and a little bit tougher over the summer, would you go along with that?
BM
Yeah, we had quite a tough pre-season, we went to Austria and it wasn't really a holiday, it was just a mental grind. But, I have worked hard over the summer and people are noticing it has paid off, so I am happy.
JP
Undoubtedly you did impress during your last spell, you came on more and more with every game you seemed to play at Carlisle. You must have had interest from other places, what was it about Carlisle that made you came back then?
BM
It was just mainly that I knew everyone, I knew all the lads, I knew the manager (Greg Abbott) and it wasn't really a hard choice to make. I liked it when I was here last year, so I was more than happy to come back.
JP
And there have been quite a few changes to the Carlisle squad, both full-back areas have changed, now of course Ian Harte going and a new man in from Leeds (Lubomir Michalik). Changes upfront, not least with the big man Francois Zoko, what do you make of the relative strength now compared to when you were last here?
BM
The group look good, there is a good buzz around the place, so I feel like there is a better squad here than last year, and I feel like we can do better than last year. So, I am really looking forward to it.
JP
And what has it been like training again with the Premier League stars during the last summer break and in particular in Austria? It must be a great experience for a young man?
BM
Yeah, it is, when I first come back it always opens my eyes up, the intensity in training is really good. So, it can only improve me as a player and I get good advice off them all and they are all good lads. It can only make a better player, so, it was good.
JP
Who are you friends with in that Carlisle squad just finally? Who are the people that you struck up relationships with and you look forward to spending a bit more time with given this second chance?
BM
Probably Kano (Tony Kane) and Gary Madine, I live with them when I am up here, they are all good lads and we are all looking forward to this season.
JP
What have you made of Gary Madine? He has really come back a changed player after the summer, he really looks like he is trying to make a big go of it this year. Have you noticed that in the training sessions that you have had with him?
BM
Yeah, I noticed his ability as soon as I came, he has done well to now in the season. He has just got himself a new contract and he always impresses me, so, I think he will be one to look out for this season.