Carlton Morris, the immensely gifted number 9, embarking on an exhilarating new chapter with Derby County. He leaves behind a stark reality after a notoriously difficult season with Luton Town. The 28-year-old is excited, of course, to be back on home soil in France. In addition, get to know his club’s new signing, Pat. Morris knows the thrill and despair of relegation. Now, he wants to use those experiences to chart a plan for a successful professional career ahead of him.
Morris’s warm nostalgia for Luton Town is matched only by his desire to have a big effect at Pride Park. With a history of family footballing ties, including a brother who played for Paris Saint-Germain, Morris’s love for the sport is deeply rooted. It was the experience of seeing greats such Ronaldinho play whilst at PSG that inspired him and brought him to life as a footballer.
Morris has made a controversial switch that brings to a close his three-year career at Luton. In his two seasons there, he established an excellent partnership with Elijah Adebayo. The forward’s presence was felt as he battled his way through injury and adversity before returning to post double-digit numbers in the Premier League.
Morris’s Journey Through Triumph and Adversity
Reflecting on his time at Luton, Morris stated, “I look back on my time at Luton with real fondness.” He paid tribute to the hardships he faced, most notably the heart-wrenching experience of relegation. He stressed the ways how those experiences made him a better player and person.
“It was a time of success and challenge, the highs and lows made me stronger,” he added. Morris encountered significant hurdles every step of the way. He took important lessons from these adventures and hopes they will serve him as he takes the reins at Derby County. He shared that through the experience, he has learned that resilience is the most important trait in surviving and thriving after challenges.
Morris opened up about his mental shift into the Premier League. “At first, I had a bit of imposter syndrome, thinking, what am I doing here? The club gave me confidence to express myself,” he explained. This new confidence will need to be key as he seeks to copy his successful past.
The Rising Star: Gibbs’s Potential
Along with Morris, the other player making waves so far is 21-year-old wide-man, Gibbs. The young talent enjoyed a breakout season with Luton, notching 20 league goals over the 2022/23 campaign. Ankle injury limited him to just 11 starts in the Premier League last campaign. This situation highlights the difficulties he has faced thus far during his first term in office.
Gibbs has been very deliberate in making these rollbacks. “It’s been a long journey for me with injuries and stop-start periods over the last couple of years,” he remarked. This season he has been a willing partner with physios and the sports science team. Tackling his fitness together, they’re really keeping his fitness to check.
He noted, “This season, I’ve been working closely with the physios and sports science team. We’ve managed my load carefully over a long period.” Such commitment is a real reflection of his desire to get back to his best and play a big part in Derby County’s promotion push.
A Collaborative Spirit at Derby
Morris hasn’t been the only one looking to find success at Derby County. He understands that a collaborative approach is key to achieving their shared objectives. “Playing with a partner is great too – I had a strong partnership with Elijah Adebayo at Luton,” he said. He really appreciates the dynamics of those connections on the field. First, he thinks they’re fundamental for getting the most out of attacking play.
As new teammates continue to acclimate to their new digs, Morris has already noticed encouraging qualities in an incoming other players such as Abdul Fatawu. “He’s a handful in training – tall, quick, strong – any striker would be lucky to play with him,” Morris commented. It’s on the field, however, that Hawkins expects Fatawu to deliver the biggest impact.
Fatawu himself comes with an unshakeable self-belief that should strengthen Derby’s attacking resources. “Every time I shoot, I have confidence in myself,” he stated. His confidence in his own talents fairly fits with Morris’s philosophy about collaboration and collective vision.
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