Show Transcript
Episode 3 – Adam Webster: Road To The Premier League

Joe Partington Welcome to leave no doubt, a podcast brought to you by a perform that explores all areas of performance within football. I'm Joe Partington, and throughout this series, I'll be talking with leading practitioners and athletes about their approach of leaving nothing to chance when it comes to performance within football. And in today's episode, I'll be speaking to somebody who's gone from the conference to the Premier League. He was Bristol City's player of the season in 2018 19. He then left there for 22 million pound fee to Brighton, and has now got 60 premier league appearances. Adam Webster, I had the pleasure of playing with Adam years ago, and I have loved seeing his rise for the leagues. He's part of a really exciting Brighton team at the moment. And his experiences in football for such a young guy are so interesting. So I'm really excited for you all to hear about it. Let's go. So, Adam, firstly, thank you for for being ama appreciate it. Adam Webster Thanks for having me Joe Partington to get a started, mate. In your opinion, what are the three most important attributes needed to be a professional footballer in the modern game? Adam Webster I'd probably start with hard work thing. You've got to dedicate your whole life to become a professional and you've got obviously sacrifice a lot along the way as you grow up. And yeah, I think if you're the hardest worker in the room or in the team, and you've always got a chance. Other than that, I'd probably say tricky one. Confidence, actually, I think confidence is a big one. I think I probably struggled with that. When I was from probably like 18 to like 24, just for last couple of years. And wasn't until like some I knew someone believed in me, and told me how good I was that I actually believed it and then started to show what I could actually do. So I think yeah, self beliefs is a massive one. I've known players that. You know, they can, they've got all the belief in the world, and they can give the ball away every time they get it. And then they keep trying things and then they'll score and everyone loves them because you know, they score goals and stuff like that. So yeah, that's a big 1/3 One struggling there. Joe Partington You're under a bit of pressure straightaway. Yeah. I'll let you off to me. Talk to me a little bit about just as you mentioned there that those eight years from 18 years old to 20 where you talked about potentially suffering from lack of confidence. Adam Webster Yeah, so I broke into the first team when I was really young. So I was training with the first team in the championship at Portsmouth from like, 16. So I was like, I was a first year scholar. I'd been training full time for about a month and I'm fine with the first team. So it's really early I made my debut just after I turned 17 So I was always in around the first team squad. Then I played sort of 20 games the next season in Ligue one and then after that I didn't really play for like two years two and a half years like always in and out the team I might be on the bench for a few games and I might come on for 20 minutes or start a game and be out without the team again so never had like a run of games and always plan like out now it was never planned send it back then. Obviously I went online to Aldershot to play send it back which which helped massively. But yeah, I really struggled because I used to get quite a lot of stick from the fans, obviously. When I set up playing like right back, left back, and like when I first broke into the team, it was all good. I didn't mind doing it. Like obviously I just wanted to play. But then like when things aren't go into well, it can get tough and like, you know, a lot of times like at Pompey like they're, they're right on you and yeah, like you can hear, you can hear everywhere this and I was getting powers. So I think that that that I struggled with that thing and then it wasn't until and the author left and then Gary would it come pull hired him and took over at four games left that season hadn't hadn't played since, like, the start of the season properly. And then they threw me in it, sent it back. And that's like the first time I played sent it back for Portsmouth. And I was at contract that summer. New like the new manager be watching. So I knew I had to like this isn't that now? Never. I was I've definitely been in non league or like, not good. Not good club. So yeah, I played really well, in last four games. And then from there, like my confidence just grew. And Paul Cook came in, and he would he would tell me how good I was, and things like that. And it really helped. And then from there, I've not really looked back, Joe Partington I suppose is, is there anything that you can remember from those four games, that four game period? With the two guys working and Andy offered you spoken about there that sticks in your memory as to how they helped you? Adam Webster I think they just, they just like, I think they trusted me and they like they knew my ability. They knew my potential. And yeah, they've just like, I didn't feel nervous going out to play. Like I was just playing my game or wasn't like worried about what someone was saying on the site and stuff. I was just playing playing my own game. Like, obviously, it was crunch time. I knew I had to do it. Like if if not I would have I would have been released. And I would have been scrambling for a club, probably. So there was probably a bit of that in there as well. But yeah, just say like they just gave me like the confidence and play my own natural game. And that definitely helped. Joe Partington I personally, like I've suffered with sort of performance anxiety and feeling under pressure to play well, sort of my whole life really. So that resonates with me, I can relate to in that respect. But for anybody listening or watching that suffers with confidence problems that you know, you're obviously an exceptionally gifted player. But in that period of time found it difficult. What sort of, you know, if you've got any advice for people suffering with confidence issues that could help them? Adam Webster It's hard to say in it, like, it's easy for me to say like, you've just got to believe in yourself. But obviously, when you you're low on confidence, like that's the hardest thing to do. But no one else is going to do it for you. So then you have got to just be narrow minded, I suppose. And just be selfish and think about yourself. Because yeah, like, if you're not doing it, someone else will do it for you and take your spot, basically. So yeah, be selfish and just don't, don't listen to what other people think really. Because the sooner you do, like, if you do that your whole life, then you're always going to be up against that you're always going to be struggling. And that will always be someone that will tell you what you don't want to hear. So yeah, just selfish and narrow minded. Joe Partington So when you were 16 years old, I think you made your debut as a 17 year old, right? But when you were a 16 year old and you start to be involved in first team training, and matchday experiences, what do you think it was about you at that age that managed to progress so quickly? Because being a 16 year old now involved in first name is pretty rare. Adam Webster Yeah. Well, I think obviously I had the ability. Yeah, obviously, I was, like, technically gifted and worked hard. To be fair, I remember when I used to train with the first team, the squad back then was really good. Like we were talking about championship team. Yes, big players with like a big wage bill, big players that played in the Premier League, most of their lives and stuff. And I remember having her itis and he used to like, obviously, he was crazy, absolutely crazy. He used to call me the voice, but because in training, I wouldn't shut up. I'd always be wanting the ball and screaming for the ball. And like, obviously, I'd be fine. I didn't really care. Like when we were training five years and stuff, I'd be screaming at someone to like follow them on or like left shoulder right shoulder things like that. And like that definitely helped because like he obviously used to give me a bit of stick called me the voice but that's sort of what you need. When you go out with the first thing you need to show that you've got like a bit of character and you're not, you know, not scared to be how you would be if you have your 16th or your 18th like you would like your mates so? Yeah, that that definitely helped. But yeah, obviously I started training with them like, straight away, which was obviously never expected that even went away with them. We went to Spain to play Real Betis in the international break in September, because the game got cancelled. It was meant to be preseason, it got cancelled. So we went over there and like, that was like massive for me. There was like four of us that went to first year pros and some macro views a year above me. And that was like, being around them boys. It was just like mental, like, so young, actually. 16 I've just come out of school waves. It's crazy. But yeah, obviously, it's hard these days, especially like at the top level to, to play. And like we've got all the academy systems and that now it's 20 Freeze, like they're a bit more protected, and they sort of have to like work their way up. So is different. Definitely different. Now. Joe Partington You've, you've obviously got long lasting memories of our Hermann neuritis and treated you in training. But how would you now at your age still young man 26 years old, so I think Harada must have been a bit older. Yeah. How would you you know, treat a 16 year old come into first environment now. Adam Webster Yeah, I think you've just got to try and welcome him in like, try and give him a bit stick. I think that's important. I think like, you want to have a bit of banter with someone and give them a bit shit if you have to. Because it breaks the ice a little bit and maybe doesn't make them feel less nervous, I suppose. Because that's gone from the game a little bit. It definitely definitely gone from the game. Yeah. But like, you know, it's like when, when the kid comes up, they're nervous. And well, some of them are these days because that that has changed definitely. Sometimes, like kids coming up can like they won't be busting their balls, you know, and sometimes you just want to shake and because they've got such a good opportunity to change the first team and that's where you show what you're about and some of them are just you know they're not working 100% Or they don't look like they're working 100% At least so it that can be frustrating because obviously they've all got a lot of ability for Brian for instance say that there are a Premier League club with in the 20 freeze whatever and you just want to have shake him sometimes but yeah, I think just try and welcome them in Let make them feel comfortable and yeah, that's it really Joe Partington something that you've mentioned already especially a lot about your Portsmouth career is that you started off playing fullback that when you first were exposed to the first game, it was right back left back. And I've actually been speaking to a lot of people recently about this how in youth development and sort of like early teenage or latter teenage years people don't seem to end up in the position that they do when they're a kid that for whatever reasons their their strengths and weaknesses become more apparent as they get older and they settle into a certain position. What was it about growing up as a fullback and did you always have in your mind that you wanted to play centre back that that's that's where you want to end up Adam Webster Yeah, I think I played centre back like all my like life until like 15 Maybe 15 When we were 15 we used to have to play with like the under sixteens and I was awful and I was physically way behind everyone else like there was probably blokes and then I was 15 and like gangly so skinny like not like filled out or anything so I got shifted to like fall back because I couldn't handle plants and about against like big like black they were blokes effectively and then yeah six teams played fullback again a bit I think it was just because I was like comfortable on the ball as well and I quite liked going forward with it as well. And then obviously when you get like into the first thing you'll play anywhere and he just want to play and that was half my downfall because like obviously I wanted to play but my best position was centre off but I wasn't ready to play centre off so you know even when I went to overshot I had to learn the game really I suppose. And then went back to Bombay and then I went back to fullback again. So it was it sort of it didn't work out how it should have really but like I was in a team, so I wasn't really complaining. There's only like when I wasn't in the team was that I need to be playing centre off and then luckily I got when I got back in that's where I did play in this Where I've ended up since of you know, maybe last season I went fullback a couple of times for like the last 10 minutes in like a bag five so I've done that a couple of times but yeah obviously centre Ross my position and I think it's good that it's good that you've got that to your geometry I suppose like when you're young especially to play other positions learn the game of it. To be fair, even at Bristol, the last sort of month for the season I played Senate made quite a bit Hold'em it that was a blow. That was tough. Literally, it's, it's mad how different the game is, and you've got your back to goal. Like if you're getting the ball better off instead of from the keeper. It's crazy. But yeah, it's all to help you really if you can, you know, play different position that it can help you but can also be it can also hold you back at the same point because you're not sort of nailed down that one position. Joe Partington people, especially young players going through that experience of trying to figure out how their strengths and weaknesses obviously linked to a position on the pitch that how did you manage that? How do you decide when you were young that you wanted to be a defender? Like was that your decision? Or? Or was it a coaches? Adam Webster I don't really know to be I think when I first joined the team was in Chichester, and one of our best mates now he was a striker. And he was scoring like 50 goals a season. And then we had another guy who was in midfield and he was also scoring 50 A season. And then there was me at the back. So I sort of just fit into that, because they were always the ones that were scoring goals. And I was the one that was like, feeding them the ball, I suppose. And then yeah, I've I've always, always sort of been a defender. So it's never, I don't ever really know, if I've made that decision of someone else made it for me. I'm not really too sure. But yeah, that's just how I ended Joe Partington up. You talk about already from a young age feeding people. And obviously, it's a big part of your game now to play out from the back something that you've that you've grown into really well. You've also spoken about that period of time Aldershot, where you had to learn, as you say how to defend and we obviously spent time playing together I think it was like the probably the most unphysical two centre backs of the conference has ever seen. Yeah, both both thought we were players but just kept absolutely booming it every time we got anywhere near it. I'm interested to know like for that period of time that you were learning how to defend a newer in an environment or Aldershot where we weren't being asked to play even though you know, I knew you were capable of and hopefully you thought I might have been Yeah. But how did you build your philosophy of how you wanted to play football? And how difficult was it for you to hold on to that when being asked to play in a different way? Adam Webster Yeah, it's tough. I think even after that, like, obviously, when I went from Portsmouth to Ipswich. Under MIT McAfee, obviously, they used to want me to, like, pick and choose when I did it, I suppose like, if I wanted to go on like a little run, it always be like, you've got to pick your moments. And you know, if I pick the wrong moment, I'd hear about it get out to the battered. But yeah, I think for probably two years, it's like, it was more about learning how to defend suppose rather than doing what I'm probably naturally better at, which is bringing the ball out and passing and maybe dribbling. So I think that did help me to be fair, because it gave me that sort of foundation to just, you know, focus on doing the basics well. And then the rest sort of takes care of itself. Yeah, I suppose that's that's happening everywhere. I've been like even at Bristol. Maybe when I thought about trying to play too much, I wouldn't do the basics Well, whereas when I think about doing the basics while on the other side just comes naturally. So that probably took care of itself in the end. Joe Partington So in your opinion, what, you know, what approach can people take if they're playing in environments that may not suit them or may not suit how they want to play? What can what can people do to help themselves? Adam Webster I think you've just got to try and adapt. Because there's not always going to be situations where it's all on your terms or you know what you always want to do I think you've just got to try and adapt to every situation and try and learn from it. I've not always been able to get the ball of the keeper from a goalkeeper and try and play owl has been obviously like I say when I was at Ipswich when Even not time's up, right? When we're up against a team, that pressure is higher, you know, we might take, take that out of their game and just go along from a goal kick and then play when, whenever is right to do so. So, yeah, it's all about adapting to what's in front of you, I suppose. Joe Partington You You've talked about already mentioned a couple of times about when you went back to Portsmouth from Aldershot and the confidence stuff that you felt in in that period of time, the two and a half years where you're possibly in and out the team. In that period of time, you go from being squad player to really important first team player. I want to put a problem to you. I'm a squad player, and I want to become a first team player. How do I do it? Adam Webster It's a good question. For me, when I see like players now like, that aren't necessarily the first team player like the first 11 in training and stuff I like I know for a fact that if I've ever been dropped in training, I'll like bust my balls, like, I'll be screaming at people I'll be like 100 attempts like literally like overboard. Try and get in the gaffers face, like not in the gaffers face, but like try and get in is like, force. Jesus, he's been at it, and it does work, you do see it a lot. If you're if you're at it and training every single day, and obviously not every day, you might not have the quality every day, or have your best session every day. But if you're trying your absolute utmost and demanding a lot from other people, it doesn't go on notice then nothing that that really stands out. Like even like run it if you're running after the game, like some, like I see some boys that you know, don't put it in and stuff and you just think, well, if you're doing that, then you're never really gonna break into that. 11 and can be frustrating. Obviously, it's frustrating whenever you're not playing. It's like the worst thing ever, isn't it? But yeah, for me, it just, it would just be train every day, literally. Like it's your last game and try and get in the gaffers efforts for process, I suppose. Joe Partington So was there any moments that you can remember during that period of time where you felt your weight shift as a player from? You know, I've been in the squad to be in a first team on the team sheet. Adam Webster Yeah, but to be fair when I was so after them for games, obviously, the season ended and then Paul Cook came in. And also Matt Clark, he signed Matt Clark from Ipswich on loan. And for the first 12 league games I was on the bench didn't didn't play the first 12 league games. I think I came on maybe two or three. I only played out play like the carrabelle Cup games. And we played I think we played Darby, we beat them. So I did well, on that game that we played reading, we lost to them thing. Yeah, the other way around. And I played really well. And I just remember, like, I was training so well, every day like so well. And, like poker, it's really honest. I remember him saying, there's been so many times, I've got to get your own team. Just I just can't I mean, I need you and my team, because you have like you're doing so well. I need you to wait 12 league games. So it's probably like the October before actually got in the team properly. So I had to be patient with it. I wasn't just like, turned up and I was treating the team. Like when he came in, he obviously sign clockers his players and son Christine Burgess as his player, that they started the season. And then I had to work on work to try and get an A team. Then when I've got an A team, I stayed in the team for the rest of the season. So it worked out in the end. Joe Partington So you think reflecting on that, that period of time that you were training hard whilst waiting for your opportunity? If you hadn't have trained at that intensity during that time, you probably wouldn't have taken your chance to stand it. Yeah. Adam Webster And that and to be fair, thinking about it now, like the season before, like we spoke about, I wasn't playing and I never trained like how I would know. Or like how I did after that. I was never like thinking about our need to train. Well, I need I need to go and play on Saturday. I'll let it pass me by effectively for like, quite a long time probably. And that's probably why I didn't play him wasn't playing so it wasn't just like oh, he's not picking me like it was obviously because I wasn't playing when I was low on confidence. I wasn't in top form, I say like even in training the stuff so yeah, it's not always been like other people's fault or sort of his like he got a look at yourself as well. So yeah, as I say I say Yeah, Joe Partington a lot of people that I've spoken to already, especially, you know, talking to guys, or playing at the top level, are all so honest about how taking responsibility ends up being a positive thing, like you eliminate excuses from from allowing other people to, to be at fault. And usually positive things happen off the back of that. Adam Webster Yeah, definitely. I think there's plenty of players that never their fault was it so that that can be frustrating, you know, try and give a bit of advice. And you know, yeah, but he does. Things like that. And it's like, no, I'm just trying to hit like, I'm just trying to say like, do this do that. That is quite frustrating. And that happens all the time that happens every day, like every day in training or every game that happens. But at the end of the day, that you know, you got to look at yourself and I say take responsibility for for whatever you're trying to do and yeah, then that they will start with you and that's that's all you can affect. Joe Partington So how did that shift in in weight in terms of your you know, your role within the within the first team at Portsmouth during that time? Becoming a first team player? What did that do to your lifestyle and by lifestyle, I mean, football lifestyle, so your, you know, your mentality, your training habits, how you lived your Adam Webster life? Well, yeah, that's funny, is funny to say that because like, like I say, when I was, when I'm talking about like, the year before the year, my contract was coming up to finish in wasn't even right, like, each year, I wouldn't eat properly. To be fair, like my knowledge of like, nutrition and what's right wasn't good. But like, I was living at home, I'd go to shop, I'd get like chocolate sweet, I'd eat every night, I'd eat like a bag of dairy milk, nibbles that every night and some squashes every night, like without fail. And like, my body fat was probably a lot higher. So definitely wasn't performing up, like the optimum level. And then when Paul Cook came in, things really changed the club and like, we used to actually do body fats. So like, your body fat was high. It's half embarrassing. Like, he don't want it to be high. When you got lads, like 6% 7% You're like, you want to be one of them. Lads don't mean any if you're like, 10 11%, that's not good. Is it? So I think that definitely changed for me then. And that summer, I worked really hard that summer. And I tried to learn as much as I could in terms of nutrition and stuff like that, and what meals I should be in what shouldn't be what, what I need to be doing to improve. And yeah, and then that massively helped with my performance on the pitch. And then I made I went back again, when I went to Ipswich, my, my nutrition wasn't great. Like, we never had body fat, we had body fat stuff, once a season Ipswich. And that was in preseason. And then after that, it was like You do whatever you want it like they weren't sports, sports science focused or anything there. So it was like you get away with it. So like, you could be lean when you return in preseason. And then you could literally put on as much weight as you want to know on fully know. And obviously that would help your performance and I got into too much Ipswich. Like I had a couple of ankle injuries to be fair, but then I had probably three or four muscle injuries and to verbally put it down to like not living right now I should have been and then like I say when I went to it when I went to Bristol from there, everything's like It's like another level and it's like every month body fats everything's done properly like sports science wise and stuff so you can't actually get away with like letting yourself go or not living properly and that's the same at Bryant now like it's every two or three weeks and once you've got nutritionists and stuff and literally everything is provided for you so there's literally no excuses Joe Partington Can you give people who you know may not have been exposed to a professional football environment and insight into just what being told you're gonna be body fats doing does Adam Webster your heart yes yeah. He gets out he got your body fats and the night before you might have had a dyno take wherever they are shit that still happens Now to be fair, and like I'm not sitting here saying like I don't eat anything bad but I just know when to do it and like for the week, I'll be like, really good. And then leading up to the game really good. And then obviously after the game I might treat myself and stuff and joy a bit of ice cream or whatever. But yeah, the body fats is tricky. Because obviously at the end of the day, like taking responsibility, you know, at the end of day if you've put on a bit or you're not as lean as you are a month ago from what you've been eating and what you've been doing with your life, so yeah, it can be a bit nervous time. They got the colour for that, that's for sure. Joe Partington I'm going to try and paint a picture for people listening about your the period of time you spend at Portsmouth two contrasting seasons where you're, you know, an important first employer. But one season you avoid relegation from Ligue two, which is a big deal. And then the next season, you're in a playoff team that's obviously looking to be successful. And by painting the picture. I mean, that in Portsmouth as many cities but we've grown up obviously, in this area of support as a football club, is enormous what football can do for the city. Like if if the team's positive, everything's everything's okay, if the team's negative, the whole, the whole feeling of the city is down. The football team in itself has enormous responsibility to the city to you know, to keep everybody happy. So during that period of time, and you've spoken about it about you know, receiving a little bit of abuse, yeah. Especially in that season, where you just avoid relegation in Ligue two which you know, I'm sure everybody's aware would have been, you know, a ridiculous thing to happen. I want to know how you dealt with the pressure of being in such a negative environment to play and how you dealt with receiving you know, that that sort of negative feedback from supporters Adam Webster I didn't deal with it well at all like on Twitter nice get hammered. Did you go searching for it? Yeah. And like that's what I mean I just go searching for and like I used to get tagged in a lot as well. And I remember one game that wasn't even playing wasn't even playing and about swipe me saying this but we obviously keep playing that so. But it was we played Leyton orient away and it probably would have been would have been that season. Yeah, they Leyton orient away. We lost one nail I think bucks is trying to pass back from like, near the halfway line on the hit it strikers run through scored, we lost the game. I was on the bench didn't play, got on the bus after and then Pat's has had like a bit of abuse as well. And one of the comments I'll never forget, it was brilliant. One of the comments is like, don't worry down, but like, you'll never be as bad as Adam Webster, like this. Like, I don't even play again. Get the vote tonight. But yeah, I used to probably go searching for it. And like, I don't know, just because I came through the academy. I still see it now like people with zombie fans and stuff. Just because I came from the academy. I probably thought I'd get a bit more respect than that. I did. And I never did. until probably the season after when people actually saw that I could play. But yeah, I still see like, even like Ben close now let Ben closes that bloody good player that gets he gets hammered sometimes. And it's just like what like, it never helps. Like when, when you're hammering people, obviously every fan is entitled to their opinion, their opinion and stuff, but never has like a positive impact. And like when I was young, I was young. I wasn't. I was probably like, I was naive. I was vulnerable, probably as well. And like, it wasn't it wasn't a good time with me at all. But yeah, then obviously, something clicked and things changed. And I actually started to play well. And obviously then probably they started to like me. Joe Partington In hindsight, in hindsight, it's obviously wonderful. But looking back now, what do you think it was? Because I'm sure a lot people can relate to this. Especially young players now social media is such an enormous part of football. Why do you think you went searching for information on social media that you almost knew was going to be negative? Adam Webster I don't know. I don't know. I think everyone's done it out there. I think it's just one of them things where y'all want to see it? But then you don't like it when you see it? So never has like a positive outcome I suppose. But I don't know. Obviously, Joe Partington speaking how you are now yeah, what advice would you give to yourself in that same situation now? Adam Webster Yeah, just don't even look at it like what? Someone that probably never played the game or especially not the standard that you know, we're playing out someone's opinion it that just doesn't matter and it's literally not going to affect how you're going to Improve or how, how you're going to play. So it's just not, it's not worthwhile to do it, it's only going to have like a negative impact on you, it might give you a bit of doubt, self doubt, and knock your confidence a bit. And it literally could be keyboard warrior and just someone just doing it for shits and giggles. It's just not positive. Joe Partington Let's pick it back up a little bit, maybe, you know, I, you know, I am conscious that you are a premier league player now. So the next season, you're in a team is, you know, it's although you don't get promoted for the playoffs, it is successful like that, you know, the feeling is better. You're in the team and you obviously feel good, you're playing to a really high level, what the difference is, but you know, between the two, what, how do you feel in that second season where you're pushing for promotion? Adam Webster Well, we did have, obviously we had better players in that helped me not slay in the club here. But the recruitment, like a couple years prior to that was poor. And, you know, never good enough to be anywhere near the playoffs. Like say we don't have to stay up the fall. But then obviously, Paul Cook came in brought in a lot of players, probably players that should have been playing in Ligue, one high in Ligue one at the time. Yeah, I think, looking back on it, we should have gone up that year. We had it poorly. We, we obviously, we didn't go up we lost in the playoffs. But yeah, we had enough ability in squad that year to go up. But there was probably not a massive culture change at the club. And everything was done more professionally, I suppose. And we had a manager that, like, was very good, who obviously don't want to test the field before them. Joe Partington About for you, specifically for you, what were the main differences that how did you feel? Adam Webster Yeah, like, I'd say, my nutrition is a massive part of that. I'd say like, the year before, I wasn't living like yourselves. I was eating whatever I wanted to whenever not thinking about how it's gonna help me perform and stuff. And then the next year it was, yeah, like I say life, small things like body fats and stuff, like you had to be on it. Because if not, you'd have to do extra sessions and stuff like that and stuff you don't really want to be doing. So that was a big part of it. I'd say a conference was sky high compared to the year before. I actually believed in myself and like, obviously, new players coming in, believe them as well. Because they've not seen me before. You know, they've not seen me when I was struggling or wasn't playing well. Joe Partington Was that positively reinforced by things you've seen on social media at that point? Or how did that change? Adam Webster I don't know. If I really looked at it, then. I'm not sure if I, I did really take much notice of it, then. I think I've probably moved past that. By them. Joe Partington It's interesting that you talk about that you searched for it when it was negative, but when Yeah, probably when it was positive. He didn't go look at that. Adam Webster I know. So yeah, I don't I don't remember anyway, I don't remember. Like finishing the game, like typing my name and Twitter. I mean, so. Yeah, my confidence was a lot higher and like I knew I was playing well or else I didn't have to go look like to go looking for someone slay me. Joe Partington People moving on from that season, and obviously don't get promoted. But you do move on. A lot of people without experience of football and young players who were hopefully going to have, you know, some sort of career will be wondering about what a transfer actually looks like. What are the you know, what the specifics what how does it feel from from both sides, so, I'm interested to know, you know, before you move to it, can you describe for us how that process works? Adam Webster Yeah, it was rapid to be fair. We played Ipswich in the FA Cup that season. Drew to to Portland road battered him. Absolutely. And they're obviously in the championship at the time really to battered them conceded a late goal to to take it to two so we'll see we had the replay 10 days later. And then we played them in the replay. They played like a second 11 Like not their first 11 Like they played the first game of what the score was, but we won and played really well again, and then. Oh, that was probably like me to lose jam. And then they tried to buy me at the end like by the end in that window. Obviously we were in the playoffs at the time, obviously won to go up so Pompey said like no like the can't let go enough to get promoted. So I was a bit guide, but then I was like, fine like, I was happy to stay at that time because like I actually wanted to go up I wanted to go up and then I got injured actually done my ankles smashed in the tackle dumb as the first time I don't mind go bad. So I got injured like April was a real bad injury, it's probably like a should have have probably had an operation, but I didn't. So I got injured in April and in. Because we were in the playoffs, like, obviously, the final would have been the end of May. So like, it probably would have been like seven or seven weeks away. And like, we were like busting my balls to like, try and get back fit for the final. Which means never going to happen. My ankle was never going to happen. Anyway. We lost in the semies. And then, literally the day after we last thing we had meetings with like the manager, and he literally came in, I came in from I said, Do you want to go? Obviously, he's like they've come in for you. Do you want to go? How's that? Yeah, like I'd like to go obviously, it's championship football. Is that Yeah, you need to go you're like you're ready for it now. Like you need to go and ledge literally the next day. Drove up there and I was still injured at the time I was badly injured. So yeah, had like couple of scans and stuff, obviously medical. And then ended up probably from like the middle of May till preseason. I was in like, three times a week in Ipswich. And that probably helped me settle in up there a bit as well. So it's like staying in a hotel coming back at weekends down here and stuff. Just so I can get fit for preseason. So I missed like the first week of preseason, you know, I was fit from there. So Joe Partington it's interesting that you speak about obviously, they tried to sign you in January. I'm interested to know what you know, having that interest in you, and then having to stay where you are and continue to play. What did that interest in you do for your football? Adam Webster Yeah. I don't actually remember thinking about that much. But obviously, it was nice. Like, I remember I got the phone call. I was obviously living at home still. And I got the phone. Like they want to buy me like seven days don't think they paid 700 grand then but it was like could be going there. And then three fair, when it actually did happen in the summit may have so quick, I didn't have time to think about it. Like literally as soon as we lost. I was gone. In the gym, like I suppose I probably thought that like if we don't go up then I've always got they'll probably want me anyway. So I was I just I just wanted to like stay fit. And obviously I've got injured and April's but I'd played most of the season. So it wasn't like I'd missed a load Joe Partington of games. So it didn't really change. Change your approach too much? Adam Webster No, I don't think so. I think I just, I probably saw it as like a win win. Like, if we go up, obviously, I'll be buzzing because we're in Ligue one now. And if we don't, then chances are if I keep doing well, then Ipswich might still want me in. I could totally go there. And that's what happened obviously, Joe Partington Have you have you ever you know, seen in anybody who's had interest in them from other clubs and for that to have a negative negative effect? Adam Webster Yeah, I think when you're young, if that had happened to me, maybe a year or two years earlier I remember actually when I was 1617, like I was playing for England as well. And like I was training with the first team I remember like my agent telling me maybe like, cubs like me like big clubs like in the premier stuff. And like when straight away I wasn't like couldn't deal with it. So I was like, Ah, he's one that I'll tell like people and nice slice don't do that. Like why not? Because it's just if they want you like they'll buy you like there's so many times like people say they like you doesn't mean they want to buy you doesn't mean want to put money on the table for you. Like it's not it's not going to have not got anything to do if you really if they like you they like you. But you know what agents might tell you something that you want to hear maybe and when I was young Yes, like that's it that made it which is so wrong. Like it shouldn't have that mentality like what will be or B if you if you do well enough, you will end up way where you should be. I'd literally just I hadn't even played any games. I was just a kid. Getting told all these cards In the Prim, like you means nothing, absolutely nothing. It's like when you play it, like when I played for England, like 18th 19th. In the long run, it means nothing like, you can somewhat some of the best players at the age, not in the game anymore. Like, they're not anywhere. And they're meant to be the next big thing. And they're not even in, in the Football League, you know, so it literally means. Joe Partington So you joined Ipswich? Yeah, right. So, you know, your championship football for the second times already been made an appearance for Portsmouth. But what does success look like to you at that point? And by that, I mean, was it winning games for Ipswich or establishing yourself as a championship player? Adam Webster I think it was probably more establishing myself when I first went there. I remember like my mentality, like, when I was younger, I just didn't have to believe me, even though I had to believe at Portsmouth. When I first signed for Ipswich, I was like, I shouldn't be like, these players have all been in the championship for years and like some have been in the pram and stuff like my mentality was like, too weak and not just not didn't have that self belief about ourselves and I shouldn't talk to me in detail about how you got over that feeling. I think that only came from like playing obviously I was playing and playing playing well and actually showing that I deserve to be at this level when I first signed there and preseason and stuff maybe in like training wasn't wouldn't be great. And yeah, that actually, I'll tell you a story so it was which we used to do head tennis for warm up so we'd have like a core and the nets were like lack of tenant it's like a tennis net so it's not like the high ones it's like the low ones. And he stood for a warm up every single day right and my first session obviously I've missed like the first week preseason my first session back in with the boys because my uncle and literally all you had to do was there'd be five one and five the other and it'd be two to like, cause you like half volley over the net and then you run to the other side. The next person obviously on that side just has to one touch to get it back over. And like if you don't get it over then you have to run around like a pole anyway me I was fucking I was nervous wreck I was a nervous wreck right? And I couldn't hit it over couldn't get it in if I'd hit it over and hit it out at like everyone was looking at liquor and the fitness coach was ruthless right absolutely good guy but he's fucking roof was that norvan to set it out it was we get the fucking receipt for all the lads it feels like crying is that Oh, I gotta get bathroom. And literally, it was the same thing at Aldershot. My first session at Aldershot started never kick the ball with that I was that nervous? Like I think I trained like the day before a game as well the first game of the season. That nervous my walk. couldn't hack it and couldn't cope with it. So yeah, that happened at Ipswich. But I got over that like pretty quickly, like when I started actually playing the games and when you're playing games, it's different and you feel like you're one of the lads and you get over it pretty quick. Joe Partington Was there I mean, Mick McCarthy, obviously the manager at the time, pretty big deal in football, like, you know, a bit of a household name. How was he with you? And you know, what did Is there any long lasting, you know, advice or information he gave you? That's that helped you? Adam Webster Yeah, he was really good for me. I think he was completely opposite to how I thought it was gonna be like, I think he has that sort of Persona where it's like, screams and shouts and like maybe 1015 years ago, years ago, he was like that but certainly when I was with him like he was like such a good like man management manager and like the way to speak to him and he had to respect everyone. Everyone should go and shake his hand and yeah, everyone sort of respected them and would like do anything to piss him off really. But yeah, he he helped me obviously he was a senator awesome. Known pretty no nonsense as well. So him and Terry Connor as a system. They were they were really good to me. They'd always be showing me clips and to be fair, sometimes they add like the opposite effect like wasn't always good. What do you mean? Because I'd they they'd obviously be showing me clips from games that obviously I need to wear I need to improve which is fine but then sometimes I'd leave the room feeling shame on it. I don't feel great after that. And I remember like, like, in the changing room like all the boys and the captain Chamberlain chambers had come back he still gonna change your own life. I've just been absolutely hammered. And they were like, shake their heads. Why are they doing that to you? Like you don't need that like, just like he's out there and just don't think you're involved. Just focus on the game. Don't worry about it. And like yeah, like sometimes I would come out of the me so but now in the hole, they were brilliant me because, like they helped me that being a championship player and they gave me the chance to do that. And if it wasn't for them, then I definitely wouldn't be playing in the Premier League today. For sure. Joe Partington It sounds like he just got this a fitness coach to do all the shouting. Adam Webster Yeah, he definitely did a lot of it. Yeah, he was ruthless me like literally will have the wrong side of him. Definitely. Joe Partington Our during that time that you're talking about being quite challenging and obviously feeling nervous. Which is something genuine aka I can relate to because I felt that way when I've joined all the clubs that I've been at. But do you remember how you got over that? And you know, And was there any moments that stood stand out for you as you changing the way you felt? Adam Webster I think for me like tight time is like the best way to get over it. Like every club I've been at. Maybe bar Bristol? Yeah, when I I suppose. Yeah. So when I signed Ipswich it took me a while because I thought it shouldn't be there. Portsmouth obviously I came through so it's a bit different. I never really had that it Aldershot had that last. I'm nervous wreck. That yeah, when I went to Ipswich I had a period of time where I was, um, I don't I'm not sure deserve to be no good enough. I'm not sure deserve it. Which is mad thing looking back at it. But then when I went from Ipswich to Bristol, obviously, it was the same league. So I knew I, I was occupying the championship. And I've probably done I think it was like 3.5 mil they paid. So I was like, right, yeah. Like, this is, this is like, this is me now. I know I can go again. So when I went, when I signed up Bristol, I never really had that. Obviously, it was another step up because the players were better and the club was in a better place. I never really had that where I was probably nervous and like worrying if I should be playing there. But yeah, so I'd say like Ty and and again, then obviously I left Bristol went to Brighton in the pram and He then got to prove yourself again. So you got to prove that he can play in the Premier League. And I'd say like time is like the best healer because when you're driving into training every day, like is to get nervous, like when I when I first drove into Ipswich for like a couple of months maybe like when I first drove into Brighton for like a couple of months get nervous just because I'm not like that alpha male like walks into the chamber and like loud as I can anything like I'm not that guy like it'll take me a bit of time to settle in two places and get comfortable so yeah, at Brighton I had that definitely the best way to get over it, it's just being spending more time with the boys and being around being everyone being around everyone for as long as you can, I suppose. And you only get that with time and after a couple months and you feel comfortable to maybe speak up and stuff. Yeah, Joe Partington you've spoken about your injuries a little bit that you you know, you suffered at Ipswich. And the obviously having a look at your career. I know you suffered with injuries during those two seasons, you know, ankle problems. But when you were fifth you played Yeah. So you know we talk to people about injuries all the time but really like the direction to go with you on this is that how challenging was it for you to get over injuries to get back to the level of fitness or level or you know, standard that you needed to to get straight back into the team knowing If you were fit you were going to get picked. Adam Webster Yeah. Yeah, when I was at Ipswich, I think half knew that I would get straight back in straightaway, even after a week's training, because like, it was never like that sports science mode where they were worried about me getting re injured, or anything, it was like, if I'm fair, I'm going to play I think. I think this year, obviously, I injured my ankle in February this this season again, I've run cool. And I missed eight and a half weeks. And before it ended, I was like playing really well flying. And then when I came back, I think that's probably the highest, I found that because it's at such a high level. And to get back to the level where I was actually playing that I found tough. Even in training and stuff, it's like, it's not just like a switch. And I just like turn it on. Like I found it hard to get back up to speed. And the I was on the bench for one game. And then I played after. But yeah, still, it's like, he can't really replicate as much as you want to in training. It's different in a game, isn't it? And it's it's harder to get up to speed. And it's not an easy thing to do. And everyone thinks it's just like you just are you're fit now you should be playing while bass, it can be tough, definitely. Joe Partington You It's obvious you talk about after, when you get back to the level, you know, you acknowledge that the period of time in between was challenging. But during that time, you don't acknowledge it's challenging, you just think you should be at that level straightaway. Yeah. How for people obviously dealing with that approach and for dealing with the issue of trying to regain a certain level certain standard of football that they've been at, after having suffered that injury? How best can you do that? And how best can you deal with those emotions? Adam Webster Question. It's hard because like, even now, like when we have like a couple of days off Slyke running thing, we have a couple of days off. So we have like Sunday, Monday off we come in on Tuesday, like, you feel awful. And like, the standard of training is not as good. Like it just never is. And no one knows why that is like, can't put a finger on it. But it's hard. And like yeah, when I was obviously when I was injured for eight a half weeks, I think I probably expected to just come back and be plan how I was playing before, when that was probably pretty naive and like, it doesn't work like that things change. You haven't kicked the ball in so long. Everyone else is still at it from where they were before. So it's not easy. I don't really know the answer to that question. To be honest, I suppose you just gotta grind it out. It's not always gonna be you know, always gonna play well every every day and train well every day. So you've just got to grind it out and trying, obviously, get back to that level where you were before. You were obviously Joe Partington playing at a high level Ipswich when you were fit. And the information I've gotten a spoke about three and a half million, but I think it was rise into 8 million pounds. So from Bristol, Bristol, Adam Webster yeah. Joe Partington I'm interested to know what it was about the Bristol City environment for you. That allowed you to play so well. Adam Webster Yeah. Yeah. So like us, like I said earlier about like the nutrition side. That was a big part we used to have like, we used to have like this website that they'd give to us, which would have meals and mills and mills and mills have recipes and stuff. And Mrs. We used to do quite a lot of them. That definitely helped from that side, that point of view and just like the strength stuff like we that was the first time I've probably done like leg weights and stuff and we used to have scraped programmes, individual programmes. So on a Tuesday say say typical, our typical week was in Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Train Friday, obviously play Saturday. So on a Tuesday we do isometrics in the gym, which would be like bridge holds Copenhagen holds all isometric or isometric exercises after training, and then on the Wednesday, obviously we'd have like a heavier day. We would also do two top speed sprints to prevent hamstring injuries. Joe Partington That's mine. Gone. Adam Webster Yeah. So yeah, we do to like top speed sprints, which is massive because think about it in training, you might not sprint full pelt. And then when you come to a game, you all of a sudden want to sprint full pelt, and then you hamstring goes as a big way of preventing that. And that's like the first time I've ever done that. And then so after training, then we would do leg weights. So we do like trap bar, deadlifts do Nordics big one. We do a lunge, like a reverse lunge. And we'd also do like a sissy squat. For exercises like plain and simple on the track bar, we'd it would all be recorded. So that we'd had we used to have like these things called like gym where says like, an attachment around the bar, linked to an iPad. So it measures like it type in the weight where you've got it on, and it measures your power. And you've got to get above like a certain amount. And then, so one week, say you do 120 kg, next week you do 125, then you do 130, then you do 140. And then you stop at 140. And then you'll have like a D load week. And like that was massive, because we had no hamstring injuries that season. And like I struggled with my hamstrings before is get on that every season. And that was like massive, because it gave me the chance to train every day play. I played like 47 games that season, which is the most I've ever played. So that was that was a big difference for me because like it switch. Fair enough. Like that's just not how they do it. Like they didn't do the sports side of it. But I think like nowadays, you sort of have to because of how tough the schedules are and how much like load is you need to know exactly how much like the players are doing and training and adding games. So that was Yeah, and it's similar right now we do all of that stuff. And it definitely helps. Joe Partington It's interesting that you talk about what helped you reach a higher level for you wasn't really anything to do with football or your technical ability. It's the nutrition, the gym work, things that are attainable for most people to be able to do. Do you think training to that level of intensity is attainable for guys who aren't playing football at their level and are playing at a lower level? Adam Webster Yeah, definitely. I think anyone can learn how to eat right and train properly like as in off the field. I'm not saying Arizona that was the only reason because the manager Lee Johnson and the coaches, Dean Holden, and Jamie McAllister, they were big in my development as well. Like, we used to do clips as a team instead of like, because I've gone from it. So it was just me. And then we used to go from doing clips as a team where we can all improve and that that would that helped because it didn't feel like there was singling you out, I guess. And also like a big one not big on but another way of improving me. When I first signed at Bristol City, Lee Johnson, obviously was the manager and he used to in preseason he used to like we used to wear GPS vests, he used to put like a microphone on one of them. So like he listened to like what you're saying. So like, I might wear it for 45 minutes and like Marlin pack might wear for 45 minutes. And like, when you know that you've got a microphone on, like you don't stop talking. It's mental. Like you're literally because you know that they're listening. So he would watch the game back the next day with the microphone at the same time as the game so we could see what you're saying. And from then, like, I feel like and then he did so that was in preseason, so it was a bit like he's only doing it in preseason. Like he chucked it on me that first away game last season QPR away like chuck it on me like literally 10 minutes for the game wasn't I was offer agent but then like when I'm and I'm like in the game and I'm vocal was like being so vocal and even then it not it makes you concentrate more and that definitely helped him I feel like since then. Especially now with no fans and stuff like it's easy to be quite vocal and you've got no excuse because you can you can speak to your mate 50 yards away or as when the fans are and you can't do that. So that that probably helped a lot in my game as well because I became a big talker, whereas probably wouldn't have done it before. Joe Partington So what are the biggest difference? says between Aldershot Adam Webster and the Adam Webster that Brian paid 22 million pounds for Adam Webster Well, I know how to look off my body now say like when I was Aldershot I didn't definitely didn't have to do that like even like sleep and stuff. Yeah, that's another one sleep when I was IPs, obviously Aldershot as well, I wouldn't have done it then. But when I was at Ipswich, I used to go to bed like, half 1112 Sometimes I'd watch TV until 11 o'clock religiously, just because I thought that was what I was, what I did. And then I got to bed at half 11 Probably got to bed at 12 As soon as I went to Bristol, I don't know why. Not sure why. But I used to go to bed at half 910. And then her feel so much better. I used to, I used to get up later, which to be fair, but I still went to bed like half 11 It was just too late. And I never like realised how much sleep helps and how important it is. Like these are all little things that I've changed along the way. But the difference, I'd say yeah, I'd know how to look off my body I'd say a lot more know what things I need to be doing to make get myself right for the weekend. And yeah, I back myself now. I don't, I don't doubt myself like I used to. And that is massive for me as a big, big change. Joe Partington We've spoken about it a little bit how you talk about how you feel when you enter a new environment. And people listening you know, young players, football fans, you know, normal normal people. We've all experienced walking into a new room or new changing room a new job you know, at least once in our lives. Knowing what you do now like what is your experiences you know, that moment and what sort of advice can you give to people who are about to do that? Adam Webster Yeah, it's hard in it because it's like when life is starting at a new school it's always like the worst day ever. It is so hard especially that even when you join the club like it's tough really tough because then players might have been there for years together and they know each other inside out and you're turning up and don't know anyone through fair most yeah every club I've joined didn't know anyone that I've gone I've gone there with so it's hard but yeah, I guess you've just got to try and get involved really I think if you sort of sit on the sidelines a bit too much and he can get left behind and yeah get forgotten about I suppose I think you got to try and you don't want to be one of them people are too loud and like you know you know that FIFA soccer like really turned out you don't want to be people thinking this fucking guy like really like just chill like you want to be chilled but you obviously you also want to get involved and yeah not be too shy I suppose. Joe Partington What were the immediate differences that you saw when you joined Brian can you remember your first I know obviously you've talked about being nervous the first training session and stuff but what you know what players stood out to you the most and what were your immediate thoughts? Adam Webster Yeah, I say it's just like another level again like like I said earlier from Ipswich to Bristol was like to step up terms of like the standards everyday on that and then from yeah Bristol to Brighton obviously the quality is just like next level is like it's a slight couple of seconds sharper. Everything sharper and yeah, that's like the main difference like the training standard when you Joe Partington say everything sharper not What do you mean what's what's quicker what sharper like Adam Webster physically probably people quicker but mentally it's just like someone knows the next pass someone knows where you are. They know like what side to pass to and like where the next pass is and everything about it's just click on all obviously the quality is yes, the quality is higher and everyone's like at it every day. Like to be fair this season. We've stepped it up even more in terms of training like the standard is joke every single day and he bought demand so much from each other. It can get heated at times, obviously. Good, you know as like, but in the day, it's all to like, try and improve, help everyone improve. But yeah, I'd say it's just like the standard of the one touch pass in and people know in other people's ability, like, that's why they're playing in the Premier League because they believe that they haven't. Yeah, it's everything. It's just that next level up, Joe Partington can you remember any moments where you, you know, we thought like, wow, these are this guy, or these guys are a joke. Adam Webster Yeah, I think just like, really just trying, like training with Donkey. Like, he obviously had watched him for years anyway, like in the champion, just from watching him play. And then like when you train with him, and he's like, chucking himself, every every shot, blocking, and it's like, some of the blocks you may have made that block. It's like, I need to, like, try and learn from that and add that to my game. So yeah, just say like little things like that, and you just had nothing, nothing to particularly Joe Partington you, Louis Duncan and Ben White, in particular, obviously have sort of form the, the back three, or most of you know, a real sort of staple in Brian's team this year. What kind of dynamic to the three of you have, especially all three years as young players still? And How comfortable is that been for you playing with those two? Adam Webster Yeah, really good. I think. Obviously, watching Ben last year at Leeds knew our Well he'd done and how good he was. And then obviously came back to us in the summer and think when you have that bit of extra competition, I think everyone steps up as well. Definitely. And then we played more of a for last season, we played free a few times. But then, obviously, this year to play a free it definitely suits us to the ground because we all sort of complementing each other. And we're all like, big enough to take it on the chin F sock. Like if I if monkeys got something to say to me, I'll take it or the other way. Like we've been like, we're not like characters where we're going to fall out. We're all pretty chilled out characters. I'm Keith Fitch but But yeah, we're all pretty chilled out and yeah, like to say we complement each other really well like donkeys obviously in the middle me and Ben on the laterals and, and sort of can like step in with the ball more and yeah, that that definitely is. It's been a great partnership and a great way of how we played Joe Partington nachos must have been a word you've learned a Brian Yeah, definitely. Before we move on, I'm interested to so the three of you, obviously playing as young football as do a now so progressive and applying a certain standard of football that is now modern day. I watched the game last year that you played in a way at Bournemouth and as a team, so yeah, remind you as a team, you guys were in complete control of that game. I remember being quite close to the pitch or the speed of the ball. For you guys in particular was was pretty impressive. You end up being turned down at halftime. How difficult is it for you in this Brighton team at the moment who I think everybody can agree play tremendous football to struggle results wise, How challenging is it to buy into something and not get results and to continue doing that? Adam Webster Yeah, it can be tricky. That game in particular because it was like the back end of the season obviously we're both struggling and that that was probably one of our biggest that was probably our biggest low of last season when we come off the field like we thought we were in the ship because like say we were as in control for the first half an hour the game, too. Too easy at time. That complete control. Yeah. Too easy. And then you get a sucker punch and then finally to nail down probably we lost three one I think it was it might have even been free now. Get one back at the end, but Joe Partington I was 313 Why we scored and yes go. Adam Webster Yeah. Yeah, it's hard. But then what you got to say it is always how do you get the result if you don't play well. You can't expect to get any result if you if you don't play well. So there's been a lot of times this year where we should have taken all three points. A lot of games like I was thinking of like five of the top of my head and The margins are so small in this league. And that is why it's so tough. But for us, like, throughout the whole season, our performances have been pretty good in the main, it is frustrating because you know, like you say to people do say like, you're very good team, but you're just like, you're missing something. And this is frustrating. But for us, like, we just have to try and play as well as we can. And then hopefully, the results do come. And they have, obviously we're praying again next year, and they have enough, but obviously, we want to kick on next year. We don't want to have that hanging over us. And we really want to push on and like I said, the margins are so small, and we definitely believe that we can make it into the top 10 next season. Yeah, kick on, Joe Partington before we finish, mate. There's something I want us to talk about as in, obviously, that you've experienced during your Brighton career, because whilst you've got to you know yourself to a level where you're an important bright, bright and first team player you've been linked to, you know, to the England team. There's also been moments within that, that your style of play that you guys obviously are asked to play has gone badly for you in particular, and mistakes that you've made that have led to goals conceded or an out difficult is that for you to deal with those mistakes. And what do you do to deal with them? Adam Webster Yeah, tough. It's been hard for me personally, because every club I've gone to Ipswich, Bristol and Brighton have always gone and replaced like not replaced Well, yeah, place that a fans favourite. So like, went to Ipswich Tommy Smith was sent off with Christophe Berra. And Tommy Smith from Ipswich come through the academy and I've signed replaced him basically went to Bristol, Aiden flinches left legend at Bristol C. So I've replaced him and then of Simon Brighton, and I'm in the team over Shane Duffy. And he got player to season the year before and obviously got promoted them been like one of the best players for them the brim so like from a fans point of view, like they're like who's this guy like replacing that our favourite, our favourite player so it has been tough and like I say, I made some mistakes last year which led to goals and the margins are small so if I didn't do that, obviously we might have picked up some more points but the way we play like it's gonna happen at times and the manager is fine with that that's why he gives us the freedom and the confidence to go out and play the way we do. So yeah, it is tough because he obviously did give it a stick and stuff last season I had low points where wasn't high on confidence and get a bit sticky still but I'm more resilient now and I can I can deal with it and to be fair, the lockdown helped me because it gave me a chance to like switch off from all of that give me a good break and then since I came back from the lockdown I was fresh flying in training and then I took that into the games and yeah then back since then I suppose Joe Partington incredibly excited for me. We're gonna I'm going to finish with some quick fires I'm just going to roll them out to see the your best ever performance in your opinion Adam Webster it's not a quick this is my best ever performance Liverpool I'm going to say just for the result liverpool, liverpool way this year we beat on one nail got actually got my on a matchup game Believe it or not, it's my first man of the match. 86 Yeah 26 years old first one. So yeah, I'd say that one we've obviously beat Anfield which was a special night Joe Partington and memorable obviously because first ever man of the match. The most difficult moment you've had to deal with Adam Webster difficult as loads and Joe Partington a lot. Adam Webster Probably one of the most difficult was when I was at Pompey and I was like in helps me if the team was having one I was not playing well I think it was boxing day we played Wimbledon I played right back got back into the team played right back and we lost to me I was boxing booed off the pitch everything like that was a NASA one of the days where I got hammered after got lucky. So yeah, probably like off the top of my head, I say some of Joe Partington the best advice anybody's ever given to you Adam Webster used to have a coach at Pompey when he was on the 16th coach, he was a legend he's passed away now. John Perkins and he used to say like is it's hard to stay in the game? No, it's hard to say like it's hard to get a contract but it's harder to stay in the game and that is so true. Like I said earlier you see so many players that might you know play for England or make their debut so I've seen a lot of players make their debuts and then in a year two years time nowhere to be seen like not even in the game and it is so true to stay in the games that a high level is is so hard and yeah that I'll always remember that Joe Partington what the top three things you need to be able to do to play in the Premier League Adam Webster let's say you need to be quick but not everyone is clicking apparently but yeah the pace is so fast he physically need to be strong quick you need to obviously technically you need to be able to handle the ball because like most week most of the week in training when had a ball once everything's on the floor like get to me got headed you get after the game I get sore head because you actually haven't headed the ball and I Joe Partington wonder why you cut your hair Adam Webster so yeah obviously tech a you've got to be able to to handle the ball and yet the games are so like physically demanding now you've got to be able to cope with them. So yeah, you got a live Joe Partington toughest opponent you've ever faced. Adam Webster get asked is so many times it's like everyone expects you to say la guerra someone like that. But he's like He never comes near you. He's not really asking until he gets in the box Jimenez is very good. Very good like holds a ball up wins headers doesn't stop working. Herrick Hurrican obviously is really very good player. Yeah, always say normally say feminists Joe Partington I'm not sure if you gave me 1010 attempts at guessing you'd say I'd put him in Yeah, Adam Webster exactly. That's what I mean like everyone expects you to say like Kane or Guerrero or two first Sterling like sterling pounds. Sterling and Salah like their movement is frightening it's like it's a step quicker than what you think and it's hard to deal with but terms of like actually head to head Jimenez is giving me some tough games Joe Partington What advice would you give to a young Adam Webster Adam Webster just believe more like give it give yourself don't be too hard on yourself and yeah, just believe more that you can you can do it because if you don't then literally no one else is going to do it for you so have that confidence in yourself and yeah, I suppose Joe Partington current career ambition Adam Webster Wow Yeah, I'd love to play finger one day. I think I was obviously playing well earlier on the season before again, I'm not saying I would have been in the squad because I'm not saying that at all but I would have liked to have obviously stayed fit and give myself the best chance of making a squad. But yeah, moving forwards obviously I want to keep improving and hopefully one day I might be able to get that Joe Partington amount is that from where you've come from that was to say that Adam Webster that would be mad obviously I still feel that I'm a fair bit away from that. Yeah, I think if I can get to a level that dunk that I'm not just saying this was my team, Captain, but donkey is unbelievable and I think he should be in the squad and yeah if I can get to a level that he's performing right now then I'll give myself a chance Joe Partington which manager has had the biggest influence on you Adam Webster I think probably the current man I'm not obviously not saying this as our because he's my actual manager now but like he's made me understand the game a lot more like the way he sets us up every game is always different but it's always to beat the opposition and like the means we have to prepare us for the game is actually mental how much preparation goes into it and we know whenever we step on the pitch like exactly what we're doing and I've never had it that intense before and it helps so much because like I said, the opposition are so good. Like without that, you're going to be struggling you're going to be up against it already. So yeah, the fact the way He sets us up and the way he gives us the best chance to go and win is mental and tactically it's like it helps so much. Joe Partington I said they were quick fire but they're more slow fire. This is the last one what advice would you give to young players now aspiring to become footballers? Adam Webster I would say brutal not everyone's gonna make it like it this literally that the 1% And so you've got to be different you've got a stand out you've got work harder than everyone else because nothing's given to you. You've got earn everything and it is like there's no shortcuts at the top so you've got a lot BOSU balls, as long as you Joe Partington can appreciate it might well be thanks so much for your time. Otherwise loads of gold in there. Yeah. Thanks me. Guys, thank you so much for listening. I hope you enjoyed the episode with Adam Webster as much as I did, and have some lessons and takeaways to put into your game and try training tomorrow. Remember to subscribe, like and review this show while your podcast channel and press the bell button so you never miss a release. If you're watching us on YouTube, head to the even form website for even more football specific information and subscribe to our mailing list to get all the best actionable advice straight to your inbox for free. I'm Joe Partington. See you soon