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FourFourTwo magazine is following one player at every Football League club this season, and has chosen Luke Webb at Edgar Street. He gave them the following interview, originally published on their website:
You started out with Arsenal: good decision or bad?
You can’t have regrets because you receive some of the best coaching and the working environment you find yourself in is one of the best in world football. I made eight reserve appearances and trained with the first-team twice, which was a great experience. I played a lot with Johan Djourou, Nicklas Bendtner and Jamie O’Hara, who’s now at Spurs. Cesc Fabregas was also in my age group; we never saw too much of him as he was always off with the first team, but when I did train with him, you could tell he was going to be a class player. You couldn’t get the ball off him.
Your dad Neil played for Man United and England: help or hindrance?
When I was younger, there was a lot of jealousy – people saying you’ve only got on because of your dad - and you start believing it yourself. But trust me, you don’t get into the Arsenal academy unless you can play football and the comments then stopped. I play in a similar style to my dad, getting the ball down and playing, but I think I’m quicker than he was!
After Arsenal, you had a spell at Coventry. How did you find it?
I made the bench for a Carling Cup tie against Crystal Palace but I suffered with ankle and hamstring injuries during my time there and I was allowed to leave. The only downside at being with a club like Arsenal is that the players who leave have false hopes. You think you’ll find it easy to get another club but that’s not always the case. When I left Coventry and had no club I’ve never been so scared, but thankfully Graham Turner took a chance on me at Hereford.
How have you found life in League Two?
If I’m honest, Hereford play more football than Coventry. I saw a lot of long ball in the Championship but teams in our league this season are getting it down and playing. A lot depends on the coach you have, but it’s no coincidence that teams like ourselves and MK Dons are pushing for promotion as we like to play football.
Surprised to be challenging this season?
Not really, because we have a good bunch of players. Our league includes the haves and the have-nots: MK Dons and Peterborough have all the money, but that’s just making the teams with lesser finances determined to match them on the pitch. Teams like Rotherham, Chesterfield and ourselves are giving it a real go this season.
Finally, how’s the old man these days?
He was a postman but didn’t like the hours and is now doing a 9-to-5 job. I know he’d love to get back into football but it goes to show just how the finances have changed in football now. He played for Man United, Forest and England but missed the Sky money by a year or two. I know players now in League Two who earn the same money he was on. It’s criminal really.