Striker wants to open account in West Yorkshire derby
Martin Paterson admitted that he is a frustrated striker after failing to open his goal scoring account for Town, but said that Saturday’s West Yorkshire derby provides him with the perfect time to do so.
The Northern Ireland international, who has netted twice for his country this season, was Town’s top scorer in pre-season, but after 11 appearances for the Terriers is still yet to notch his first.
“It has been frustrating,” the 26 year-old told htafc.com. “My form for Huddersfield hasn’t been good enough and when I have been given the opportunity I haven’t done my job. It is a serious situation and I am not happy with the way that things have transpired since my move.
“Looking at the bigger picture, though, I have three healthy children and a wife so I don’t let myself get too down, but when I am in and around the Club I think about the situation a lot. Things can change in a matter of minutes, but I am not pleased with my performances.
“Strikers are a funny bunch and I think you have to analyse more than just goal to game ratios,” he continued. “You have to take into account the positions played, minutes played and the jobs that they have been deployed to do. I am not making excuses, though; I should have scored a couple by this stage of the season.
“Tomorrow provides the perfect opportunity to open my account and if given the chance I will just do my very best.”
The striker is a veteran of hostile derbies having watched and played in many during his career.
“I am a ‘Stokie’ and I watched Stoke get the better of Port Vale as a youngster. Playing in the Burnley – Blackburn derby was interesting because there is a lot of hatred between those clubs. It is a massive derby and one that was enjoyable to be involved in.
“Having been in and around the Huddersfield area for a couple of months now I understand how big a game this is for the fans.”
Tomorrow’s match looks set to be Town’s highest attended game of the season to date and Paterson believes that they have a big role to play.
“The fans can play a massive part tomorrow,” the former Stoke youngster said. “I live quite close to the Britannia Stadium and the atmosphere on a match day is so loud that you can hear it from about a mile away. Hopefully the Huddersfield fans can help create a fantastic atmosphere.”
