Ade Azeez says he’s ‘buzzing’ to get off the mark early for Newport County AFC but affirmed that he was much happier that the team managed to secure a three points that revitalises the play-off push.
After a cameo appearance from the bench last weekend against MK Dons, Azeez was handed his first start and home debut at Rodney Parade and was a constant menace with his livewire attitude and determination to make things happen.
The 25-year old was the man to break the deadlock on 14 minutes with an instinctive finish from two yards, before strike-partner Padraig Amond confirmed the points with a neat finish on 67 minutes.
Here, you can read everything Azeez exclusively told iFollow Exiles following the conclusion of the match.
On getting off the mark early during his home debut…
"If you ask any striker in the world, they’ll all tell you the same thing. You obviously want to put in a performance for the team, but as a striker, you do want to score goals and, in my case, get the first one for the club as well.
"Thankfully it came on my first home game and I just thank God for that. Having said that, I’m more buzzing about the result than anything and it just keeps us pushing for the play-offs.
"I do try to show a bit of passion when I play, and I do try to work hard for the team. I do feel like a little kid when I score, I still feel the same as I do when I was like 10-years old.
"It was nice to get off the mark and more importantly, get the three points.
"I couldn’t really hear the chant too much [from the fans after the goal], but I’ve heard there was one for me and I do really appreciate that.
"It’s just nice to be on the right end of the fans here at Rodney Parade for once. I’ve been here before and I know the grief they can give to away players.
"That’s good now obviously, their support is excellent and I’m just happy that they’re shouting my name for the right reasons this time and that’s nice to give them a goal."
On how he’s settled into the club during the short time he’s been here…
"I’ve played against Newport in the past and they’ve always been a team I’ve admired in the way they play. I’ve always thought I’d fit into the team so it’s great to be here.
"I’ve been training for the last few weeks, getting to know the strikers and the other attackers and I feel there’s a bit of a connection there. I felt we linked well and long may that continue.
"We all worked to each other’s strengths and we’re starting to understand what everyone is good at.
"Especially for me just coming in as a new player, I’ve started to see what they’re good at and hopefully they can see what I’m good at.
"In the coming weeks we’ll play even more to each other’s strengths and gel together further."
On Joe Day’s penalty save…
"I felt that defensively we were really good and solid.
"Carlisle didn’t create too much but I think that’s down to the way we made them play and credit also goes to Joe Day obviously for the excellent save.
"You see the size of him, he’s like Hercules – a massive guy – so I’d be worried going to take a penalty and looking up at him.
"He made himself so big for the penalty save so a lot of credit also has to go to Joe."
On closing the gap ever further to the play-off positions…
"100% we’re in the hunt for the play-offs and to be honest, there’s been that belief since the first day I signed here.
"The gaffer has always had that belief that we could push for the play-offs and even with the FA Cup going on, it’s always been about the play-offs and he’s instilled that belief into the players.
"We feel like we can do it, just need to go on a little run now – it’s only five points with the game in hand and we can definitely make that.
"We can go to both Colchester and Northampton [in the next two games] and cause an upset. They are teams in good form, but we know that on our day, if we turn up, then we can bulldoze anyone.
"They are good teams but we’re a good team as well and we can definitely pick up some points."
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