Callum Marshall bangs his boots together after a 2-2 draw with Manchester City.
An energetic performance against the defending champions was arguably the best of his rapid start to the season. A right-footed drive - on his weaker foot - into the top corner saw Marshall take his tally to 12 goals in nine games. And seven in his last four.
Some run of form, then. But what’s the secret? A pre-match ritual? A superstition? No, the boots, he says.
“I have had them since the start of last pre-season,” Marshall explains. “I have worn the same ones for a while, and it’s going quite well. I always get a pair of these now.”
Got to get that sponsorship deal, then? He laughs. “I’m working on it!”
Reflecting on the first 12 games of the season, Marshall can be pretty pleased with his returns. But it has been like this for a while now, though. Goals and Marshall seem to go hand in hand.
So far, the 2023/24 season has been a continuation of his first full season in Claret & Blue. For Kevin Keen’s side, Marshall saw an FA Youth Cup, a league title, and 23 goals in 24 games. This year, he wants to do even better.
“Last season, I was scoring a lot of goals,” he adds. “But whenever I went up a level [playing with the U21s] I found it hard physically.
“I have been working on that a lot so now, it feels like it did last year. Yes, games are still hard games, but we have made a lot of chances for the attackers to get in behind and we are scoring quite a few goals and winning games.
“I just want to win every game. That’s the type of person I am. I don’t want to play for a draw.
“Against Manchester City, I didn’t really want to speak to anyone for about ten minutes. I was so disappointed because I thought we should have won the game.”
Marshall’s mindset is evident. On the pitch, he doesn’t stop running. And off it, he rarely switches off too.
As Steve Potts explained after the draw with Southampton: "You know what you're going to get, with Cal. First and foremost, he is all about is that work-rate,” the lead coach stated. “That is unquestionable.
"He gets his goals because of that.”
There is no doubt his efforts and drive have caught the eye of David Moyes too, with the Northern Irish forward, alongside U21s teammates Dan Chesters and Kaelan Casey, named on the bench for the Carabao Cup tie against Lincoln City last week.
And while Marshall is yet to make his first team debut, the experience of travelling with the first team has made him even more motivated to do so.
“It gives you a glimpse of what there is to offer if you can make it to that next level,” Marshall added. “It was an eye-opener and hopefully, I can play there as much as possible.
“We have played at some top stadiums last season with the U18s which I think will stand us all in good stead [should we get a chance to play for the first team]. We didn’t bottle it on big occasions, especially in the FA Youth Cup final at Arsenal.
“This year, we have made a good start. I had a good pre-season but’s not just about the goals, I am happy to be getting the assists as well. I have been playing well, but I've got to keep those numbers up this season.”
If Marshall's life in east London is any indication, you wouldn't bet against him - would you?
