New United signing Jon-Paul McGovern (J-PM) spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's Paul Newton (PN) earlier today after signing a two-year deal with Carlisle, McGovern first explaining his County Ground exit :
J-PM
It is great, I am absolutely delighted to get things sorted and you are going to get started and get in and start playing football. I heard a few whispers about a possible move, at the end of last season Swindon had said to all of the players basically that if League One club came in and started speaking to us and we were interested then they wouldn't stand in our way. So, I had heard a few whispers and then as soon as I met the manager (Greg Abbott) I just wanted to go to Carlisle and play and show that I could play with a manager that believes in me.
PN
Of course you are a Glaswegian, how much was geography a factor in your decision to join Carlisle?
J-PM
I think it has always got a factor when you have got a family, but to be honest with you I think the football is my main concern and things have to be good on the pitch and everything else takes care of itself. So, for me it was about coming to a good club who is going to like to play attractive football, wants me to be a part of that and after that you can make everything else work.
PN
How much do you know about the current Carlisle United squad?
J-PM
Well, obviously I have played against them in the last couple of years and I have had some good games against them. I met the manager, he gave me an insight into a few different things, I have met a few of the boys, so I think it is just a learning process, especially the way football is. You kind of get thrust into the dressing room and then you get to know people, and that is how it works.
PN
And of course you will know Frank Simek going back to your Sheffield Wednesday days together?
J-PM
Yeah, he was in the team as I was injured going back a fair bit now, fantastic player, character, I think he is a bit quieter than I am, I am a little bit more chatty than him. But, I am looking forward to working with him and the rest of the players.
PN
For the benefit of those who haven't seen you play yet, what kind of player are you? What are you going to be able to bring to this side?
J-PM
Erm, just hopefully a bit of energy really, bring it into midfield and can play just about anywhere I think on the pitch, I can play badly anywhere is what I would like to say, that was my claim to fame. I am just going to go in there, try to get on the ball, I like to try to play the final pass, or the killer pass, I am not bad at crossing either. The manager has had a go at me already about not scoring enough goals, so I am going to try to bring that as well.
PN
Yeah, last season, United favoured a diamond formation and even by Greg Abbott's own admission perhaps lacked a plan B and a bit of width at times, is that something he has discussed with you?
J-PM
Yeah, we had light discussions on how he is going to play and what he is going to do. But, again, that is up to the manager, if he decides he wants to play one at the back and everyone else getting forward then that is up to him. I am just happy if I can get in the starting eleven, if that is in a diamond or it is out wide or it is at centre-half then it doesn't really matter to me. I just want to train hard, work hard and try to get in the team.
PN
You have become United's second signing of the summer after Andy Welsh's arrival from Yeovil, are you familiar with Andy? I guess you must have crossed each other's paths last season?
J-PM
I played against him a couple of times, he is a good player, he gets quite a lot of assists, so over the season he will be another good player. But, like I say, I think Carlisle have got lots of good young players, a good young squad and hopefully I can come in and help that out, come in and just join in in the dressing room and see where we can take us.
PN
And you personally had a fantastic season two years ago when Swindon made the play-offs, of course less so last season with the relegation, just how difficult was that?
J-PM
I think it was difficult, I don't think there is any hiding from that. obviously to get relegation, my first one of my career and hopefully my last one. I think on a personal level everyone has got to look at themselves and say could you have done more? And I think the answer is always yes, so in that respect I think that that is the case. I think that as a team we never did enough, you see some of the players that have moved on from Swindon and they have all moved on to League One clubs, so that suggests that we massively underachieved last season. I think there are a lot of boys like myself that have got a point to prove to a few knockers.
PN
Was it a difficult decision for you to leave Swindon in the end? Perhaps a part of you that maybe felt an obligation to try to help Swindon back into League One?
J-PM
Oh, definitely, I think I am quite a humble person, I am a family man and at the end of the day you have got your ways of living and how you see things. I was massively disappointed to leave Swindon on a low, it is not the way I have done it in the past, but that is football. I have got an opportunity to play in League One with Carlisle, I spoke to a manager who is fantastic in how he wants to play, definitely got my juices flowing and a bit excited. After I knew that then I think you can see the disappointment and you can use it and hopefully I can bring that little bit of experience with me into the dressing room, and hopefully I can help a few of the boys.
PN
And has that first taste of relegation made you perhaps more determined to try to hit the ground running when the new season gets underway?
J-PM
Yeah, definitely, I think you try to use every experience, I have managed to win a play-off final, I have managed to lose one and now I have had a relegation and I have won a cup. So, you try to take what you can out of all your experiences and hopefully it can benefit myself, and if I am on top of my game hopefully that helps Carlisle.
PN
And what are the plans for you now in terms of relocation, will you be moving back to Scotland or living a bit more closer to Carlisle?
J-PM
I am not really 100% sure yet, I think I have only just got the football sorted so now it is about finding somewhere to stay and getting that side of it sorted. My Mum and Dad are excited that I am going to be back in their life a lot more which is great, I have got a little boy so really looking forward to that side, and I think we have booked every train so far for every game. So, they are excited to have me back, it is always nice and it does help you settle a lot quicker having your family around you, so I am looking forward to that. But, it is just about the football and whatever you need to do to make sure you are ready for the game then I will do that.
PN
And of course not much time to get anything sorted before you are back in for pre-season training next week?
J-PM
Yeah, it is a mixed emotion to be fair, it is mixed, as a footballer it is nice to have your little bit of time off and enjoy your summer but once you have signed the contract and got sorted then you just want to get in and get things started and get the ball rolling.