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Last week it transpired that both Team Infused and fm-eSports were losing players to a new Benelux side, within the Orbit organisation. The move left both teams without two players due to the departure of other players ahead of the move, with less than a week before both were to debut in the ESL UK Premiership. In order to get some insight into the impact of the move, we’ve interviewed the leader of Team Infused, James “redSNK” Littlewood.
You started last week as a full roster of five, ready to take on the upcoming UK Premiership in a highly contentious group. Before the roster changes, how confident were you feeling?
I would have said we were confident in qualifying from the group in either 1st or 2nd, but we hadn’t had much practice due to players having some real life stuff going on. I didn’t really see our group as a “group of death”, but just thought that the teams could have been more evenly balanced over the two groups.
Then, early last week it transpired that you were lose your Dutch player CRUC1AL and your coach Neil Murphy. What affect did this have on the team?
I don’t really think we were that bothered, it was more just the timing. Neil had been causing problems within the team anyway and Joey couldn’t play on two days of the week, which restricted us if someone missed one of the other three days. Then our practice would go to nothing.
How did the situation pan out? Was it all above board, or did you get caught out by surprise?
Suprise? :). Yeah I think the whole team were caught off guard completely, especially just a few days before the Premiership. Like I said in the previous question, none of us were bothered that they left, it was just the fact of the timing and trying to find replacements. I think the lying and going behind our backs hurt the most. I had worked with Neil for close to a year and I’ve done a lot for him and stuck up for him during the stages he was getting abused in the UK scene. When it came to it, a message at a 11:30pm on Tuesday telling me that he was leaving was all I got, without even talking to us about the situation. Yeah, it definitely caught us off guard. I guess I’ve learnt a big lesson, and when the whole of the UK scene are saying something and I choose to ignore them, I guess I’m a mug!
You’ve now brought in an old face, Luke “KritikaL” Green to substitute for the team for the Premiership. Why Luke?
Well after the situation that happened, we needed someone we could rely on and trust. I’ve been in a few teams with Luke and he brings nothing but 100% and we know he is not going to “rat” on us for another team. Also if we do qualify from the group stages, Luke is a great player to have with us at LAN.
Is it possible that he could become a permanent addition, or will you be looking elsewhere after the Premiership?
I think us and fm-eSports are in a similar position, where we are kinda both +2. As for our team after I really can’t say. I think after the Premiership there will be a lot of roster changes again within the UK.
How has your approach to the game on Monday changed in light of recent events?
We haven’t made any plans, based on our experience and skill we hope to take one of the top two spots. If not I’ll be disappointed.
George “hudzG” Hoskins is also supposedly leaving the side after the Premiership. Could you shed any light on this?
George left the team around two weeks ago due to some problems within the team that I mentioned earlier. He has a new team now which I’m sure will be announced soon. George is just being a nice guy and helping us out for ESL, for which I’m thankful.
James and Team Infused are playing against GLG in their ESL UK Premiership opener tomorrow at 7pm.
