2025-09-23, 02:21 PM - Word count:
(This post was last modified: 2025-09-23, 02:25 PM by fathands3k. Edited 1 time in total.)
With the season firmly underway, we are lucky today to have Luke Walker beside us to answer a few questions. Walker is currently an Academy Player with the Victoria Falls Eagles, who sit in 7th place after 8 games. So without further delay, lets get onto the interview:
Q. 8 games in, how do you feel you have performed so far?
Walker: So far so good, joining a new team and also having new team-mates brings it's own challenges with the guys still learning each others style of play and personalities. Along with learning the tactics the manager wants us to impose on the pitch. But the guys have been great and the management team are fantastic, very encouraging and they will bring out the best of us on the pitch. They push us hard when needed but know when to put an arm around you. But overall I am pleased with how I have performed on the pitch.
Q. With the team currently in 7th place, how has the manager tried to stop heads from dropping despite a poor start?
Walker: He has been telling us not to worry, form is temporary, class is permanent. He knows in this league anything can happen and anything can change in an instant. Myself and the rest of the squad have just been getting our heads down and working even harder in training knowing the results will come. There are still plenty of points to be won and there won't be a second on the pitch we won't be fighting for that win.
Q. Is there anything specific in your own game you are looking to work on or feel is a weakness?
Walker: Currently I am working on my final pass. This game is all about creating chances and ultimately scoring goals, finding the pass that creates that high xG chance for someone to put into the back of the net is a thrill for me. I love being that player that can split open a defence in a heartbeat. Maybe I am guilty of not taking enough shots myself, but I always try to pick the best option in this situation to get the best chance for the goal. Whether it is me or someone else who puts the ball into the net, the goal still counts towards the team.
Q. Do you have any pre-game or post-game routines?
Walker: I have my superstitions, I don't know many footballers who don't, we are a funny bunch at the best of times. I would always tie my left shoe-lace first when putting on my boots. Did this when I was 7 in the school football team for the first time and scored a hat-trick and setup 2 that day so it's stuck ever since, can't remember not doing it at this point. Also always make sure my right foot is the first foot to step on the pitch. I wish I knew where that one originated from but it just happened naturally. I've had a few funny incidents not judging my step onto the pitch correctly and nearly causing myself to trip a tad but nothing embarrassing so far thankfully.
Q. Final question, is there any team once this season in the Academy is over you would like to be drafted to?
Walker: In short no, I'll be over the moon to go to any team. But I can tell you that whatever team drafts me is going to get a mentality monster. I am always looking to improve my game but importantly improve in ways that will help the team around me be better. This is a team game at the end of the day and you cannot win a game alone, you need 10 other players fighting for 90 minutes. Luckily for whoever will draft me, they are getting a superstar who will work hard for the team. I will drag the team kicking and screaming if I have to until we get to the next level. This is one draft pick that will not be a bust, that is a guarantee.
Q. 8 games in, how do you feel you have performed so far?
Walker: So far so good, joining a new team and also having new team-mates brings it's own challenges with the guys still learning each others style of play and personalities. Along with learning the tactics the manager wants us to impose on the pitch. But the guys have been great and the management team are fantastic, very encouraging and they will bring out the best of us on the pitch. They push us hard when needed but know when to put an arm around you. But overall I am pleased with how I have performed on the pitch.
Q. With the team currently in 7th place, how has the manager tried to stop heads from dropping despite a poor start?
Walker: He has been telling us not to worry, form is temporary, class is permanent. He knows in this league anything can happen and anything can change in an instant. Myself and the rest of the squad have just been getting our heads down and working even harder in training knowing the results will come. There are still plenty of points to be won and there won't be a second on the pitch we won't be fighting for that win.
Q. Is there anything specific in your own game you are looking to work on or feel is a weakness?
Walker: Currently I am working on my final pass. This game is all about creating chances and ultimately scoring goals, finding the pass that creates that high xG chance for someone to put into the back of the net is a thrill for me. I love being that player that can split open a defence in a heartbeat. Maybe I am guilty of not taking enough shots myself, but I always try to pick the best option in this situation to get the best chance for the goal. Whether it is me or someone else who puts the ball into the net, the goal still counts towards the team.
Q. Do you have any pre-game or post-game routines?
Walker: I have my superstitions, I don't know many footballers who don't, we are a funny bunch at the best of times. I would always tie my left shoe-lace first when putting on my boots. Did this when I was 7 in the school football team for the first time and scored a hat-trick and setup 2 that day so it's stuck ever since, can't remember not doing it at this point. Also always make sure my right foot is the first foot to step on the pitch. I wish I knew where that one originated from but it just happened naturally. I've had a few funny incidents not judging my step onto the pitch correctly and nearly causing myself to trip a tad but nothing embarrassing so far thankfully.
Q. Final question, is there any team once this season in the Academy is over you would like to be drafted to?
Walker: In short no, I'll be over the moon to go to any team. But I can tell you that whatever team drafts me is going to get a mentality monster. I am always looking to improve my game but importantly improve in ways that will help the team around me be better. This is a team game at the end of the day and you cannot win a game alone, you need 10 other players fighting for 90 minutes. Luckily for whoever will draft me, they are getting a superstar who will work hard for the team. I will drag the team kicking and screaming if I have to until we get to the next level. This is one draft pick that will not be a bust, that is a guarantee.
![[Image: Luke-Walker-4.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/pLgKT0C4/Luke-Walker-4.png)
![[Image: gmSTbwI.png]](https://i.imgur.com/gmSTbwI.png)
