Elliot Anderson on leading at Nottingham Forest and England

What are you doing? You too became an England international… and immediately made everyone smile! What was this like for you? So, has this given you a new level of confidence? Does it change the way you feel on the field?

Elliot: Yes definitely. I think that played a part in me feeling like a leader, you know? I carry this confidence to my voice. And only faith in me; For people to understand that I am the player they think I am. I’ve always believed in myself, but it really pays off when you have the support of others.

What are you doing? Tell me about Thomas Tuchel, when he first got the call. I guess this is every little kid’s dream?

Elliot: Yes like that. We were away at Crystal Palace and I was sitting in the dressing room getting ready for the game and a text came through… ‘TT’. And he said: ‘Can I see you after the match?’

What are you doing? Wait a minute, did you immediately recognize who ‘TT’ was?

Elliot: I just guessed a little bit, yeah, because there was a little bit of talk going around at the time and then it was like: ‘Can I see you after the game?’ I got nervous right before the match. I knew I had to perform and after the match he told me the news and I was excited!

What are you doing? He seems to have a lot of confidence in you and is clearly a big fan because it helped your performance immediately, but now it seems like a lot of people are saying that not only will you be in the squad, but you’ll be one of the first names on the teamsheet. What does this feel like?

Elliot: That’s a good thing, yes he is a top coach. He really helped me get into the group and coached me in that role. I hadn’t played much before and now I’m down to just six. He helped me understand the game and coached me.

What are you doing? What is your best position? Or which position do you enjoy the most?

Elliot: Thing…

What are you doing? You’ll be careful here, right? Because you won’t want to upset any manager!

Elliot: To be honest, I used to be an attacker. I used to be a number 10 or winger. And then I slowly withdrew.

What are you doing? You say this as if you don’t want it!

Elliot: To be honest I don’t really care. I would say six or eight; you know, getting on the ball, finding the attacking players and getting the ball into their pocket early and letting them do their job. And of course when I play eighth I have more opportunities to shoot and score, so I really like both.

What are you doing? A lot of people will think you’re a defensive midfielder, but do you actually still want to score goals? You mentioned scoring goals several times during this conversation!

Elliot: Yes definitely. Isn’t this the hardest thing in football? So I would love to do more.

What are you doing? What do you think has changed for Nottingham Forest from last season to this season; because you talked about trying to maintain your levels but after an outstanding season last year you are yet to reach the heights?

Elliot: It’s hard to put your finger on what has changed. We were really good defensively last season; As a team we had clean sheets… set pieces and all that. Maybe we are a little lacking in this regard this season. Maybe teams understood what we did last season and realized how we played. That’s why we need to improve and change our game a little now. But yeah, we all just do what the manager wants.

What are you doing? Coming back to yourself, what was the best match you ever played? Or maybe someone you wish you could experience again?

Elliot: I really enjoyed the semi-final against Man City last season. I really enjoyed this. Of course we didn’t win, but playing at Wembley was really special. And I would probably say it’s my UK debut. I loved it, you know! It also comes from the beginning.

What are you doing? What can you remember about him? Tell me about this…

Elliot: To be honest, I was pretty nervous, as I thought everyone would be. You’re in the warm-up phase and you think every pass and then the first few touches have to be good. I started well and that gave me confidence. I just dream of receiving the pass and receiving the ball, passing the ball forward, being involved in many of the things I love to do.

What are you doing? Considering what you have achieved so far, what do you still want to achieve in football?

Elliot: I think we are in the best league in the world, so I can say that I will stay in the Premier League as long as possible and play as many games as possible. I would also love to win a big cup with England.

What are you doing? This summer maybe?

Elliot: I hope so!

What are you doing? So tell me a little more about your life off the field. You mentioned before that you have two brothers. What was that dynamic like, other than the fact that growing up there was obviously football related?

Elliot: I loved it. Probably two of my best friends growing up. We would do everything together – the three brothers would mess around and fight all the time – we would literally go on a massacre.

What are you doing? And of course your siblings; One of them is also in front of the public, but does something different to yourself?

Elliot: Yes, that We went to Love Island, external actually a few years ago!

What are you doing? What was this like for you?

Elliot: It was funny! When he did embarrassing things, we would all watch him, covered with pillows! But it was really good. He really enjoyed it and did a great job. I’m really happy for him; He’s taken a different path in his life than he had before and he’s really good at what he does.

What are you doing? Because he’s boxing now, right?

Elliot: Yes, he started boxing. He really enjoyed it and it was something he always wanted to do. He quit football at a fairly young age and really enjoyed Muay Thai and boxing. So yes he went to the street. He had a fight the other night and won, so he was good.

What are you doing? You went and watched it too, right?

Elliot: Yes, I did.

What are you doing? He’s also often in the stands to watch you, right?

Elliot: Yes definitely. The roles are reversed. I go to support him and he always comes to support me, so I went to give him extra support and he did really well.

What are you doing? Can you visit your family often? What does an ideal day off look like for you?

Elliot: Probably one day off due to travel is too short to go to Newcastle, but if I get two days off I’ll go up and see my family and spend my time there. There’s a nice beach and stuff like that. And I just chill. But they are always here, with games of course.

What are you doing? So what does a day off look like? I imagine you normally get a day off because of Europe and other things. What are you doing?

Elliot: I’m going out for breakfast. There’s a nice place here that I like to go and walk the dogs.

What are you doing? Do you have dogs?

Elliot: Yes.

What are you doing? Multiple?

Elliot: I have two dogs; a sausage dog and a German shepherd.

What are you doing? Names?

Elliot: Leo and Obi.

What are you doing? Ok, have you bought these recently?

Elliot: I’ve had Leo for about a year and a half and then I had Obi about six months ago.

What are you doing? Wow! Are these puppies?

Elliot: Massacre! I’ll also be doing some of my rescue work at home and playing Call of Duty.

What are you doing? Oh, you’re a Call of Duty player, right? I was about to ask about hobbies – are they there?

Elliot: Call of Duty right now, yes! I go through phases of playing PlayStation when new games come out. We currently have a small group and spend most of our nights doing this.

What are you doing? You know what the next question is. Who is in the group?

Elliot: It’s me, Neco [Williams]Omer [Hutchinson] and Macca [James McAtee]. There are two-v-twos here and there and me and Neco come out on top.

What are you doing? You will say this because they are not here to defend themselves!

Elliot: No, they’re actually very good.

What are you doing? So for you, days off are all about relaxing and stuff… Are you a pretty calm person?

Elliot: Yes I am. You can probably tell! I think everyone says I’m pretty relaxed. I am silent. I’ll have some rest at home, really rest after a match and prepare for the next match because I’ve had so many matches this season.

What are you doing? How much has life changed for you in the last year?

Elliot: Yes, there is a lot. Like I said, when I first came here everyone said how quiet I was. I guess it takes me a while to come out of my shell and now I really can’t stop talking! Before this interview I was talking to young people. I think one of the questions was: ‘What would surprise you about me?’

What are you doing? There you have it, you’ve done your research! I am impressed.

Elliot: Yes, because the kids were saying: ‘Maybe people think you’re pretty miserable.’ ‘Oh, cheers!’ I said. So yeah, maybe this is it. From the outside I probably look pretty miserable and boring!

What are you doing? Were you surprised that they thought you were unhappy?

Elliot: Not exactly.

What are you doing? Ah. So, quite…

Elliot: Maybe a little. I’m just… not unhappy… I don’t know! Everyone says I’m a bit poker-faced, so they never know how I feel or anything.

What are you doing? How did you deal with that when you went to England then? Were you pretty quiet there?

Elliot: I knew people had gone to England, so this was a bit different. I think I didn’t know anyone when I came here so it’s been a tough couple of weeks but in England I kind of know people and that made everything a lot easier.

What are you doing? Can you remember any of my other questions? You can ask yourself if you want…

Elliot: No I don’t. I don’t know any of them!

What are you doing? What was your first training session like in England back then? Because you talked about nerves and being quiet. What was it like?

Elliot: It was great. Obviously, as you said, I was nervous going into this job, but I think one of the biggest things I felt going into England was the approval of your team-mates. You show them that you are a good player. In fact, that was all I focused on in the first session. I was trying to show what I could do and that I was a really good player.

What are you doing? Tell me the one thing people get most wrong about you…

Elliot: People always write my name with two t’s. And that’s a t.

What are you doing? This must be really frustrating, right?

Elliot: This is so frustrating.

What are you doing? Honestly, I think you can take that as an answer. Thank you for talking to me today and I hope we have dispelled some myths. If people see you not smiling, you are not grumpy!

Elliot: Oh yeah maybe I used the wrong word there! Maybe it’s just a poker face, you know?

What are you doing? This is probably good. So people don’t know. Keep people guessing.

Elliot: But I suck at poker!