Off the back of a disappointing defeat to Birmingham on Wednesday, I managed to grab a chat with Karlan Grant. On loan from West Brom, the powerful forward is evidently a favourite of Erol Bulut, so we discussed his favoured position, firm friendship with Callum Robinson and holding down Cardiff’s left flank.
How was the mood post-match and today after the game last night? Cardiff probably played better last night in losing than they did on Saturday in winning, but that’s the nature of the Championship football I guess.
The boys were disappointed. We were frustrated because it was a good opportunity at home to get another three points. The performance was disappointing and the decisions leading to the goal. Even after that, there was time to get back into the game, but we didn’t create enough, which was frustrating. The good thing is that you always have another game, so you can’t dwell on it and have to move forward.
You were withdrawn late on against Birmingham, but that’s a rarity and you’ve been Cardiff’s very own marathon man this season, regularly playing the full 90 minutes, sometimes twice a week, in a very high intensity position. Have you always had high levels of stamina and fitness?
I’ve always been naturally fit, but as I said to the media at the start of the season, this is the best that I have ever felt physically. I think I’m in the best shape of my career, so I feel good. Last year was the first time I haven’t played much football and I picked up a few injuries. That’s something I worked at with the medical team, to not be in that situation again.
I haven’t had any big injuries, just ones that have kept me out for a month or two, but you learn more about your body as you get older and I still use some of the things I learned in my rehab. I’m at the gym pretty much every day, trying to look after myself because games come thick and fast. I was probably a bit tired and lost a bit of sharpness in the second half of the Birmingham game, but I’m always there for when the gaffer needs me.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhat led to you joining Cardiff on loan? What was your situation at West Brom in the summer?
I wanted to try and go out and get some more game time. Cardiff showed how much they wanted me to come here, I spoke to Robbo and Romaine, plus I know Cardiff from playing here previously. I know the last few years have not gone how Cardiff would want them to go, but it’s a big city and a good football club. It was a challenge I wanted to take on.
Which positions have you played in the past? There are a few Cardiff players that have played in a few different roles, but when asked about it, Erol Bulut was very clear that he saw you on the left wing. I think some people were expecting you to play as a centre forward due to the number of goals you’ve scored there previously.
You play where the boss picks you. For me, I’ve always enjoyed playing in the number nine position and it’s suited to my game, but I also enjoy playing wide on the left. I scored a lot of goals playing as a nine, but I’ve scored goals playing on the left as well. Wherever the boss wants to play me, I’m there to help the team.
How does Erol define your role in the team and what does he expect from you? You must be doing a lot more defensive work than you’ve ever done previously.
He’s expecting me to help the team and contribute as much as I can. I would like to score and create more goals, its something that I go into every game aiming to do. If I can help the team in other aspects, whether defensively or by creating space for other players, I hope I’ve shown the gaffer that he can trust me. I’m playing football and enjoying it. Every time I go out there, I leave everything on the pitch. Sometimes the full back is bombing on and you have to make that sacrifice for the three points and the bigger picture.
Embed from Getty ImagesCardiff’s left has been a source of strength this season and you’ve built up a strong connection with Jamilu Collins. What is he like to play with?
Really good. We speak on and off the pitch in terms of where I should be defensively and he helps me out a lot. Whether to cut inside for him to come on the overlap or one v one’s, we’ve built that relationship and we look at the oppositions strengths and weaknesses together. We’ve played a lot of games together now and long may that continue.
With Callum O’Dowda sidelined, your role is one of the few without any real direct competition at the moment. Having not been a guaranteed starter at West Brom, it must be satisfying to be assured of game time and the reason you went out on loan in the first place.
I wouldn’t say the position is mine. We have other left-footed players, but I want to perform every game and to help the team get three points is the main target. I want to play every game and enjoy it as much as I can. Football can change quick and it’s a long season with lots of games.
You seem to have a close friendship with Callum Robinson. When did you guys meet and did you hit it off immediately? Was he one of the reasons why you chose to join Cardiff?
I met Callum a long, long time ago. He’s a great guy with bundles of energy and we’re really close. He was a big reason why I came to Cardiff. Knowing him and the relationship we had on the pitch at West Brom, where he must have assisted about 12 of my goals! We’ve always got on and when I spoke to him, I know he was injured a lot last season and wasn’t able to help the boys out, but I respect him, he said I would enjoy it here and I have so far.
Embed from Getty ImagesYou were inked with a move to Cardiff’s arch rivals Swansea back in January. Was there any truth in that link and if so, how close were you to joining them?
I did come close to joining them on deadline day, but I guess everything happens for a reason!
I understand you have Scottish heritage, so you’re eligible to play for their national team. They’re flying at the moment. Have you ever had any talks about playing for them and are you sure you don’t have any Welsh heritage?!
Haha, I don’t have any Welsh heritage, unfortunately. My dad’s side of the family is Scottish and there have been talks in the past, but that was a few years back and I’m just focussed on club football at the moment.
What is your current situation at West Brom? You signed a big contract when you joined them, so have another couple of years on your current deal. They will have been monitoring your impressive form, but are they in regular contact with you and do you know what Carlos Coberan’s plans are for you?
I haven’t really spoken to Carlos, but I did speak to him when they came down recently to play us. I don’t know what the future holds, but as you say, I’m under contract for two more years, so we’ll see how things pan out.
Embed from Getty ImagesCardiff are exceeding all pre-season expectations by being in and around the top six. How do you reflect on the season thus far, for both the team and yourself personally?
From a team perspective, I think we started well and we want to continue to do well. You know you’re going to lose games, but we’re only about three points away from the play-off spots and it can change quickly. We’re in a good position and we need to keep working. Its not easy, but we’re in a positive mindset. In this league, you have games every couple of days and we go again on Saturday against Hull. Personally, I think I’ve been playing well, but forwards are there to score goals and that’s something I haven’t done enough this year, but I’m working at it and trying to create for the team.
What are your hopes for beyond this season? You’re 26 now, so hitting your prime and at a stage in your career where you need to be playing. I have to ask, would you be open to a permanent move to Cardiff if that were possible?
I have a contract at West Brom and respect that, so that’s something that the two clubs would need to speak about. I’m enjoying my time here a lot, but that’s something that is out of my control.