Last updated at 11:33, Saturday, 07 November 2009

Vincent Pericard says he’s ready to be bewitched by the magic of the FA Cup.

Vincent Pericard

Carlisle United’s new Cameroon-born striker knows how special the competition is in English football – and can’t wait to experience the buzz of today’s first round tie against Morecambe at Brunton Park.

A money-spinning third round tie against a Premier League club is the holy grail for League One clubs like Carlisle, and the importance of a good cup run hasn’t been lost on Pericard.

He said: “I know it’s very important for the club and the manager so I’m happy putting 100 per cent into it to make sure we win.

“We need to keep the spirit of winning games so we will treat it as a league game or any other game. We just want to go out and win.

“It will be a mistake to think it will be an easy game against Morecambe and we can just pass the ball about.

“That’s when you will get a surprise because they will run harder than you and tackle and you will feel disappointed. I’m sure the manager will make sure that doesn’t happen.”

The former Juventus striker is loving life at Brunton Park, where his down-to-earth personality and sense of humour has made him an instant hit with his team-mates.

Pericard has also quickly won over the fans after playing a major role in slaying Southend United and Charlton Athletic to end a depressing run which saw them go seven league games without a win and drop into the relegation zone.

The big, strapping 27-year-old joined Carlisle last month on a short-term deal until January after finding himself without a club following his release from Stoke City last season.

It proved a massive coup by United after boss Greg Abbott, who managed to persuade him to move to football’s most northerly outpost despite interest from a number of clubs, including Charlton, who were on the receiving end of a 3-1 defeat at Brunton Park a week ago.

Pericard believes his gamble is paying off even if he has had to endure a drenching everyday in training and come to terms with the Cumbrian weather.

“I’m loving it in Carlisle despite the weather and all the rain,” he joked.

“I’m settling in and having a great time. The dressing room is great and I’m happy every day. It’s great being in a group with great spirit and helping each other. It brings happiness out of you.

“I’m smiling all the time and just happy. It’s great to be involved with great people and everyone is nice. Everything is great and I have definitely made the right choice in coming here.

“The mood is fantastic after two wins. The manager said we were missing faith but with those two wins on the trot faith is coming. If we keep winning, I don’t know where we are going to stop.

“We need to follow the orders of the manager and keep believing in ourselves. All the players have quite a lot of ability, from the back to midfield and up front. If we stick together and work hard, I don’t see any team that can stop us.

“When you think of League One you think there is no quality but when I came here I was nicely surprised because we’ve got players who can pass the ball and cross the ball and some very good strikers. It is more pleasant to play with them and just enjoy it. League One is under-rated by people who don’t know it.

“Graham Kavanagh’s second goal against Charlton was amazing. I thought: ‘Wow man!’ That’s when you can see spirit is high in the team and we have quality in the team. A goal can come from anywhere so it is very positive for the manager because if a striker doesn’t score then midfielders or wingers can. It’s just magnifique.”

Pericard is proving to be the big targetman Carlisle have been craving as his awkward attacking presence means two defenders have to try to get to grips with him, creating space for his Carlisle team-mates.

And he believes his fledgling strike partnership with Scott Dobie can only improve as they build up a greater understanding of one another’s games.

Pericard, whose former Juventus team-mates included Zinedine Zidane, Alessandro Del Piero and Edgar Davids, said: “So far it has been very nice to work with Scott. We are still not there yet but we are getting an understanding and the more we play together it will start to work.

“The communication and understanding will only get better and I can only see good things coming from the partnership.

“Charlton did not enjoy marking us at all. I don’t like it when there are two defenders marking me as I like to enjoy myself and pass the ball.

“I didn’t have any space against Charlton but that’s why I’m here – to take players away and give our players space. Graham Kavanagh had space to run and shoot and pick his spot and score. I’m a team player – that’s what I’m made of.”

Abbott has been delighted with Pericard’s impact since his arrival – and the Blues boss has also made a big impression on his new signing.

If the relationship between club and player continues to blossom, it may well become a more permanent arrangement, but Pericard wants to concentrate on today’s FA Cup tie with Morecambe first and foremost.

He said: “I haven’t thought about things because it’s still very early and anything can happen. I just want to focus on games and then we will see.

“It is so far so good.When I met the manager and he asked me if I wanted to come and play I knew it was a gamble.

“ I hate letting people down. I now feel very, very happy that it’s started paying off. It’s early days so I’m not going to get carried away.

“It’s great because he’s a manager who’s very good at coaching and knows how to play football. He knows how to get us ready for a Saturday and he is not someone who cracks under pressure. He keeps calm, which is why we have managed to stay calm for the last two games.

“I’ll have a chat with the manager at the end of the month and then have a chat with him at the end of December when my contract ends. There is still a lot of work to do.”

First published at 09:09, Saturday, 07 November 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk