In this week’s edition of Jets Insider, Connor Chapman is answering questions submitted by the Club’s Members and supporters.
In this week-s edition of Jets Insider, Young Socceroo Connor Chapman is answering questions submitted by the Club-s Members and supporters.
Chapman discusses his experiences playing in an FIFA U-20 World Cup, what it was like facing Manchester United and reveals who the biggest pest in the Jets squad is.
@kaelin11 asks via Twitter: Connor what did you take away from the All Stars game vs Manchester United?
Connor Chapman (CC): It-s an experience that I-ll remember for the rest of my life. It was definitely something special, not only for the players, but for all the fans that were there as well.
It was definitely good for the game in Australia and to be involved in something like that was amazing, especially having the opportunity to be on the same field as some of my heroes.
Toby Carter asks via email: What was highlight of the whole All Stars experience for you?
CC: The whole match was a highlight. Just being there and being able to warm-up in front of so many fans, watching from the bench and then being able to get out there on the field was great.
I really enjoyed the atmosphere on the night as well, it was one of the things that stood out for me and it is something not a lot of players get to experience.
@jetsfanchick asks via Twitter: Hi Connor! Read you wanted swap shirts with a Man United player. Whose shirt did you end up getting?
CC: I didn-t end up getting anyone-s unfortunately. I was the first to shake Robin van Persie-s hand after the game, but he-d already promised to give his shirt to Josh Risdon who asked him for itearlier on in the match.
I was going to swap with Jesse Lingard in the sheds afterwards, but the Man United boys left before I got the chance.
Paul Schultz asks via email: What was the bigger highlight? Playing in the U20 World Cup or playing against Manchester United?
CC: They were both amazing experiences for different reasons. Playing for your country is a massive thing and a lot of players don-t get that opportunity. It-s difficult to understand how big that is until you-re singing your national anthem before kick-off.
Many players don-t get the chance to play against Manchester United either and as I said earlier, that was an unbelievable experience as well. I don-t think I could pick just one out of the two.
Alice Clarke asks via email: When do you think it is the right time for a player to make the move overseas?
CC: I think it-s very different now to what it was five or 10 years ago. The A-League is at a very good level these days and you don-t want to go overseas too early and be stuck in the reserves.
I think once you-ve proven yourself here in Australia, and you believe that you-re good enough to start overseas, then that-s the right time to make the move.
Darren Wilcox asks via email: Which of your Jets teammates is the biggest pest?
CC: (Laughs) I-m not going to get into details, but I-d have to say Ben Kantarovski.
Cal Sharpe asks via email: Are you hoping to nail down a spot in the starting XI this season?
CC: It-s definitely something I-m aiming for. If I get a good pre-season under my belt I think it-s definitely achievable.
It-s obviously going to take a lot of hard work and some good performances in pre-season, but I-m focused on doing that.
Aaron Perez asks via email: How crucial is it for the young players in the Jets squad to really step up this season?
CC: Last season was a bit up and down for us, but the great thing that came out of it was that a lot of young players got experience and that-s so valuable.
At the end of last season, you could see that we were improving and growing in confidence. Hopefully we can keep moving on with that this season.
Owen Young asks via email: What-s the biggest thing you-ve learnt playing international football? How different is it to Club football?
CC: Playing international football is very different to playing for your Club team each weekend. You don-t play many matches at international tournaments, so every match you-ve got to be at your best because there-s so much on the line.
You-re also playing for your country, which is the biggest honour you can have as a footballer and that feeling alone makes everything more special. You want to make sure you leave it all out on the field.
Jason Klavkovski asks via email: How has the attitude of the squad changed after the experience of last season?
CC: Last year was a little bit disappointing with how it ended and since then I know everyone of us has been determined to bounce back this season and prove the critics wrong by doing well for the Club and the town.
The whole squad is really focused and working really hard to be well prepared for the start of the season.
Thank you for all your Jets Insider questions. Make sure you follow @NewcastleJetsFC on Twitter to find out who will be answering questions from the Club’s Members and supporters next week.
