Football Fancast hooked up with Hull City midfielder, Republic of Ireland international, infamous adversary of Alan Pardew’s forehead and devoted FIFA enthusiast David Meyler, ahead of the launch of FIFA 15.
It was a fantastic season for Hull City last year; Premier League survival, an FA Cup final and qualification for the Europa League. What was your personal highlight?
There were quite a few; scoring at Wembley in an FA Cup semi-final, playing in the FA Cup final, beating Liverpool 3-1 at home at Christmas time. I’m trying to build on that this year, that’s the main aim.
And it must have felt particularly special for you – I understand you thought your playing days were over at one point after a horrific knee injury, the second of your career, back in 2011?
It wasn’t nice, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. At times, when you’re going through a long injury, you don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel. But when you have big moments like that, playing in an FA Cup semi-final, scoring in it, playing in front of 90,000 people at Wembley in an FA Cup final, it makes going through those injuries worth it.
How did you all react to coming so close in the FA Cup final after going 2-0 up? Did the defeat take a while to get over, or were there positives to be taken out of it?
Oh it was heartbreaking. We were completely gutted to lose from 2-0 up. Santi Cazorla scored just as we approached half time. If we’d got to half time at 2-0 it would probably have been a different game. We could’ve held onto something. We worked so hard all afternoon so obviously it was just heartbreaking when Aaron Ramsey scored in extra time.
How about locking heads with Newcastle manager Alan Pardew?
Well, to some people it’s a big thing but I was more disappointed that we lost the game 4-1. I was quite fortunate that I was going on international duty the next day so I could focus my attentions onto something else. I played against Serbia just a few days after so I didn’t think too much of it at the time. Obviously it was a complete shock but it’s forgotten about – he’s apologised. I’ve certainly moved on and I’m sure he has too.
Speaking of the Magpies, Hull visit Tyneside on Saturday. You must be aiming for a win with all the turmoil surrounding Newcastle at the moment?
We’re eying the win especially because we beat them there last year. It’s going to be tough but we’re looking forward to the game. We’re going there to get three points and that’s all we’re looking for. It’s not going to be an easy game because St. James’s Park is always a tough place to go, but I feel we’ve more than got the beating of them at home.
It’s been an exciting summer for Hull fans – the club have spent around £40million bringing in the likes of Hatem Ben Arfa, Mo Diame, Michael Dawson and Abel Hernandez to name a few. Is this evidence of how ambitious the club has become over the last few years?
Of course, every year we’re trying to build, trying to improve on last year, trying to improve on the year before. It was a fantastic year when we got promoted and obviously we had another excellent year after by staying in the Premier League and getting to the FA Cup final, but we’re looking to try and build on that again – we’re not resting on our laurels.
It’s going to be tough but that’s why the manager’s made those signings, to strengthen the squad. We’ve got so many players to play in so many position and everybody’s up for it. It’s good; it’s what [Steve Bruce] thinks we need in this competition. We’re all striving to push one further on and that starts with three points at the weekend.
And can you feel the benefits of added competition on the training pitch?
As I said, players like that, I would never be against them joining our squad. We all get a bit sharper – a bit better – because of it. Competition is always good. We just need to pick up points as quick as we can.
Clearly, the owner has great faith in Steve Bruce by letting him spend so much, which isn’t necessarily the case at a lot of Premier League clubs nowadays. Does that positivity trickle down to the dressing room too?
Of course, the owners have great faith in the manager just as all the players do after what he’s done in the last few years. Everyone plays a big part; the owner keeps the phones ringing, the manager gets the players to play how he wants. We’ve done that over the last few years, and we want to do the same this year.
Where do you think Hull can go this season? Top half?
Up and around 10th is what we’re aiming for. I predicted 12th last year, hopefully we’ll be around twelfth or tenth this year. The squad is definitely better now with the players we’ve brought in, so I think that’s a realistic target and what we should be aiming for.
Things are going pretty well for the Republic of Ireland too – how’s working with Martin O’Neill again?
It’s good. Obviously we had a good start to the Euro qualifiers beating Georgia 2-1 away. We’ve got Gibraltar coming up too which will be another tough game but we’re looking forward to it. It’s an exciting time for Irish football, with the manager coming in and picking Roy [Keane] as his assistant. A lot of people are really excited for us.
And speaking of Roy Keane, is he the fearsome taskmaster he’s often made out to be?
Well I played under Roy at Sunderland and people read too much into things. He was an exceptional midfielder and he’s won everything. He’s someone you know you can trust. You look at how he’s helping Aston Villa [as assistant to Paul Lambert], they’ve started competing as well – they’ve had a fantastic start. He’s been good for us, with the manager, trying to make us push on and qualify for the Euros.
Beating Gerogia in such dramatic style, with a winning goal in the dying minutes, must have given a huge boost in terms or morale and what you think you can achieve as a group?
It was just relief because Georgia was such a tough place to go. Their fans made it very hard, especially when it was one-nil. It was a tough game, it took a moment of magic to win it, but a lot of games these days do take one player to make the difference. We’re very pleased Aiden McGeady came through for us that night.
I hear you’re quite a big FIFA fan. How much do you play? Could you rate your obsession out of ten?
Every day. I’d probably say ten.
Do a lot of the Hull lads play?
About six or seven play; myself, Tom Huddlestone, Tom Ince, Yannick Sagbo, Liam Rosenior, Jake Livermore and that new lad Abel Hernandez fancies himself quite a bit.
Who’s the best?
I am.
And the worst?
Liam Rosenior.
Any sore losers?
We’re all bad losers, nobody likes to lose at FIFA. We’re all similar like that.
Do play Ultimate Team? Who’s in your team?
I do. I have all the best players, my team’s decent. Ronaldo, Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, all Team of the Year, in-form Gareth Bale; I’m not messing about. Oh yeah and I’m top of division one!
Play as David Meyler in EA SPORTS FIFA 15, out Friday 26th September on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and all other formats. Pre order NOW to get your copy on #FIFA15Friday from easports
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