Cumberland News

I’m not going anywhere says Blues star Livesey

Last updated 08:36, Friday, 05 September 2008

Danny Livesey has laughed off the latest set of rumours about his Carlisle United future as the Blues bid to bounce back from their midweek cup hiding at Brunton Park tomorrow.

Capital punishment: Danny Livesey, right, gets the better of Queens Park Rangers Samuel Di Carmine during the Carling Cup second-round defeat at Loftus Road on Tuesday night

United return to League One action with Yeovil’s visit (kick-off 3pm) after Tuesday’s 4-0 defeat at QPR saw them dumped out of the Carling Cup.

After the Loftus Road defeat, speculation again surfaced that Livesey could be leaving Carlisle before Monday night’s transfer window closes.

But manager John Ward shot down the rumours in midweek – and the highly-rated centre-half has also now dismissed the idea that he might be on his way from Cumbria.

Livesey told The Cumberland News: “I don’t understand where it all comes from – maybe these people want me to go!

“Even my dad’s been ringing me up and asking me where I’m going because of the things people have been saying. But there’s nothing going on.

“It’s the time of year when people start throwing rumours out, but until I hear something or the club tells me something, that’s all it is – a rumour.

“I’m more than happy here and everyone is just getting on with their business. Unless it was Real Madrid coming in for you, you can’t let it play on your mind.”

Ward remains adamant he has had no phonecalls about Livesey or any other members of his squad, and the boss does not expect any transfer activity at Brunton Park between now and Monday night.

Livesey, meanwhile, says he can’t wait for tomorrow’s home clash with the Glovers after suffering a chastening second-half at the hands of QPR’s continental strike-force on Tuesday, Argentine forward Emmanuel Ledesma claiming a superb hat-trick.

“For 45 minutes we did a great job, we could have had a penalty and who knows where it would have gone after that,” said Livesey.

“But in the second half we got taught a bit of a lesson. Their forward play was unbelievable and you’ve just got to hold your hands up and say the better team won.

“Their tails were up, they were buzzing around everywhere and it was hard to deal with. The lad who scored three was unbelievable – you think you’re close enough, then he whips it around you into the top corner. You aren’t going to play against quality like that too often.

“But you want to play in these games, test yourself against these teams and learn from the way they play. Maybe if we get a goal ahead, the best way to go is to keep attacking. QPR weren’t sitting back on 1-0 and it’s something we are trying to do this year as well.”

United are unbeaten in the league after three games, including last Saturday’s 0--0 draw at Leyton Orient, and Livesey is confident Tuesday’s defeat hasn’t taken any wind out of their sails as they prepare to face Russell Slade’s Yeovil, who have also yet to lose in League One but suffered a 5-1 cup thrashing at Middlesbrough on Tuesday.

“I don’t think it will have any negative effect on us,” said Livesey. “Cup runs are always a bonus and after a defeat like that you just dust yourself down and get back to the league.

“You always know it will be a good game against Yeovil. They are a good, strong team and will play a bit of football. We’ll just stick to our game-plan and hopefully have enough to beat them.”

Livesey, 23, added: “It’s nice to get a home game at last after all the travelling recently. The away support we get is fantastic but we always enjoy being at home. It’s up to us to maintain the standards we set here last year and maybe even go one better.”