Fleetwood Town goalkeeper Alex Cairns spoke ahead of the Emirates FA Cup first round tie at Alfreton on Sunday afternoon where he could make his 100th appearance in all competitions for Fleetwood.
Alex Cairns could be celebrating making 100 appearances for Fleetwood Town in all competition if he is selected on Sunday to face non-league side, Alfreton Town. Since joining the club, the 25-year-old has kept 37 clean sheet, and would love to cap off his centurion game with number 38.
The goalkeeper went in front of the camera on Thursday morning at Poolfoot Farm and talked about his career so far and the moments that have kept him going, that triple save against Northampton, and the game cup tie against Alfreton.
Here are the key quotes from Cairns’ press conference…
On the opposition this weekend…
“It is a great cup tie and I don’t know what other people think of the FA Cup, but I absolutely love it!
“I have grown up watching the FA Cup and things happen in the competition for the non-league sides and it is exceptional for those to get the recognition they deserve. On Saturday I will be making sure they don’t score because we want to be the ones who go through to the next round.
“We can use what happened last season in the competition to our advantage, and for me I have played games in the National League North for Stalybridge so I know what it means to team to play in this competition.
“What we need to do is settle the nerves down quickly and put our teams ethos on the opponents as soon as possible and get a result!”
On his career so far and that triple save against Northampton…
“From where I started to where I am now it has been a quick turn around and feels rather quick that I have nearly got to 100 games for the club. I am dead excited and very proud to make the milestone, and I am hoping to get another 100.
“I have spoke to my family about this and they are both buzzing about, and my brother is very happy about it with us both thinking about where we have come from to where we are now, and for the family it is a proud moment.
“When I look back at the special moments, getting into the play offs in my first season was fantastic and a big moment but generally, in the 99 games I have played, a lot of experience has been taken out of every single game. I think I will look back at this and say those 100 games have made me who I am today.
“That save against Northampton got me a lot of attention and my phone didn’t stop. I went for a coffee with Michael Duckworth – a former Town right back - and he told me to look at my phone as it was constant notifications coming through. It was a big achievement, especially to get recognition from David De Gea, a keeper of his ability.”
On the biggest lesson he has learnt in the 99 games…
“I am learnt to trust myself and in those games I have proven to myself that I can play at that level and higher. I know that any time in my career when a dark day comes around, I will be looking back at myself and see where I was and where I am now.
“In the two and a bit years I have been here, I have learnt a lot of lessons and I know there are many more to come, but I do feel like I am a better person, a better player and I am really looking forward to the next 100 games!”