PFA interview with an England star in the making

Gary Cahill is enjoying a great season with Bolton Wanderers, and boss Gary Megson has tipped him for an England call-up.

The former Aston Villa centre half has been an integral part of Megson’s plans this season, and played a starring role in last weekend’s 2-1 win at Birmingham.

Ian Clarkson caught up with Trotters' defender Cahill for another big Givemefootball interview.

Q: How important was the victory against Birmingham?

A: It was a great win; a good result. We came here wanting three points, made a bit hard work of it late on, (Chung-Yong) Lee was unfortunate to make a little mistake late that cost us the goal, but you can see the character in the lad – he got us the winner.

He bailed himself out I think so he was happy – over the moon. It was a great result, now we’re unbeaten in four and we can keep the momentum going. The goal’s unfortunate, we wanted a clean sheet.

I thought the back four and the goalie were outstanding, but you give that man (Kevin Phillips) time on the ball and you’re in trouble. He’s proved it for years and years in his career. It was unlucky that we conceded the goal but we bailed ourselves out late on with a win.

Q: Did you know the England manager was watching the game?

A: I had no idea Fabio Capello was here – it’s probably better when it’s like that to be fair and you can go about your game like every other game. I hope he took some positive things from my performance today but I’ll just keep trying, give 100 per cent and it takes me wherever it takes me.”

Q: Do you feel as though you could play for England?

A: I definitely think I can play for England one day. I think you’ve got to be positive, got to be confident in your own ability. And I’m hungry to get there. I work hard and hopefully I’ll get there in the end.

I think I’m improving game by game with my positional play, I know the role at centre back a lot better than when I first came into it. I’m making less mistakes, touch wood, as when I first came I gave away a couple of penalties and a few rash things, but now I’m cutting that out of my game.

I’ve still got a lot to learn, I’m only a young lad, and if I can keep learning hopefully I can go on to bigger and better things.

Q: It looks as though the team have started to turn the corner after their difficult start, doesn't it?

A: Obviously we got a little bit of stick in the Stoke game but we put that right against West Ham.

And sometimes maybe when you’re under a little bit of pressure it’s good to come away. They were frustrated today; the Birmingham fans, but we frustrated them. We’ve carried the momentum, we’re unbeaten in four now so we’ll try to keep the run going.

It’s Tottenham next week, which is obviously a hard game as they’ve won convincingly this weekend, so we know it’s not going to be easy. But we’re in a real good vein of form at the moment.