Jamaican international wants to be in half-time dressing room to hear rousing teamtalks
Joel Grant is hoping his winning goal against Colchester United on Saturday will lead to more starts for him this season.City came from 2-1 down at the interval to beat the U’s 3-2 thanks to goals from Ollie Watkins and Joel.
It must have been a positive and rousing half-time teamtalk from manager Paul Tisdale to get his side back on track, but it is not something Joel could inform the press about when he was questioned about it after the final whistle.
“I can’t quite tell you (what was said) because I was out warming up,” said the Jamaican international. “I hope I will be in there more often because I want to play, but whatever he did say, it worked.”
Joel, having scored for Jamaica against Chile in the summer with his head, has also been under pressure from the coaching staff to nod home a few goals for the Grecians this season. Unfortunately for him though Jack Stacey’s cross from the right, in the 67th minute, landed at his feet.
“I’ve just got to come on and try and make and impact; that was what was going through my mind,” said Joel. “I remember the ball breaking down the right and my first thought was just try and get into the box and find space. Jack has put in a great ball. Jake (Taylor) has made a good run across one of their defenders and it has ended up at the back post and I put it in.
“The manager has been onto me to run to goal but also to think about heading it. So my first thought was to get in there and try and get a header, but if it comes to my feet then I am more than happy to put it in the net that way.”
Stacey joined on loan from Reading on Wednesday. He and defender Luke Croll were both making their debuts and Joel was impressed with how they played.
“I thought both him and Luke (Croll) did really well,” said Joel. “It is not always easy, especially with the difficult circumstances we have found ourselves in. I thought both of them did outstanding.
“I thought we had a really good start. We had a chance to go 2-0 up and we found ourselves 2-1 down which is something that is difficult to take, but I thought we reacted really well and to come away with three points is great.”
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