West Bromwich Albion skipper Scott Carson on how he was never prepared to settle for an easy life

Apr 4 2010 by Andy Walker, Sunday Mercury

AMBITIOUS Albion skipper Scott Carson believes his reluctance to take the easy route to the top is the reason behind his remarkably jam-packed CV.

At the age of just 24, the Baggies number one has chalked up an amazing amount of experience since making his first-team debut for Leeds six years ago.

Carson has played for six league clubs in which time he has:

* Been involved in three Premier League relegation battles, with differing success.

*Tasted Champions League football.

* Reached the semi-finals of the European Under-21 Championships.

* Suffered an international fall from grace in the national spotlight during Steve McLaren’s ill-fated spell as England boss.

* And now looks set to add an automatic promotion-winning campaign as captain to that haul.

Carson puts his record down to the fact that he’s never been prepared to sit around and wait for first-team football to come his way. The Cumbrian admits that he could have easily stayed at Liverpool and led a comfortable life with just the occasional appearance on the big stage.

But that was never the way for him.

And now as he remains focused on guiding high-flying Baggies, who travel to Watford tomorrow, back to the Premier League, he’s satisfied with the hectic career path that he has taken.

“I’ve always just wanted to play, I’ve never settled for sitting back and just picking up my wages,” said the ex-Villa loanee.

“I’ve always gone out of my way to try and get a loan or try and get a move when it was probably easier for me just to sit back and let things glide.