On loan attacker discusses Town’s recent performances
- Jamie Paterson discusses Middlesbrough game
- Forward believes David Wagner will get the best from him
- 'Pato' thinks next win is just around the corner
Jamie Paterson believes the style of play that David Wagner is demanding from his Huddersfield Town side will take his personal performances to an all-time high.
The 23 year-old, who is on a season-long loan from Nottingham Forest, was impressive in the number 10 slot against Middlesbrough on Saturday and told htafc.com that the Head Coach’s ‘full throttle’ football is perfect for him.
“I heard the Head Coach liked his sides to play football when he first arrived and his style suits my game down to a tee. I think he’ll get the best out of me if we play in this sort of way.
“Obviously I came to the Club under the previous manager and change probably makes loan players more uncertain than others, but from the very first day in Spain we spoke and I knew I was part of his plans. I’ve then started the first game when I’m fully fit against Middlesbrough on Saturday, so that gives me confidence too. I felt like I repaid that faith in the game, even though we lost.”
Despite this, ‘Pato’ admitted that he has had to adapt to Wagner’s demands; in particular the much-discussed Gegenpressing, which requires the forwards to win the ball back quickly in the attacking third after attacks break down.
“I’ve never really been told to press as much as under the Head Coach. I’ve always wanted to do that side of the game, but I haven’t been in teams that do that; I’m more used to sitting off them, soaking up the pressure and hitting them on the break.
“It’s enjoyable if everyone is on the same page, because you end up getting a lot more chances from it. The crowd really get behind it too and you feel a force, as you could see against Middlesbrough.”
It’s been a stop-start beginning to life as a Terrier for Jamie, who has made just four starts and four substitute appearances for the Club since joining back in September.
He continued: “To be fair, I have been here for three months now and I haven’t really got going yet. I didn’t start the first few games, then I had a little run and scored a couple of goals only to do my hamstring.
“When the Head Coach came in, I did everything I could to be fit for his first game but I couldn’t make it. Having watched from the side in Spain I was itching to get involved, because I don’t want to fall behind as the rest of the lads started to look really sharp.
“I felt good for the first hour against Middlesbrough and then started to get a little bit tired, but I’m getting my fitness back. I was a little bit nervous on my full home debut as well, but in the end I really enjoyed it.”
The missing piece of the puzzle for Wagner and the players after the last two impressive performances is the all-important result at the end, but Jamie believes that wins are just around the corner.
“I think we’ve had a tough run since the Head Coach has come in, but one win could still lift us three places up the league.
“I don’t think any team in the bottom half, or in the league as a whole, will be playing football as good as we are, or working as hard as us on the pitch. The most frustrating thing is that we created three or four good chances against a top team on Saturday and didn’t take them; to lose that showed football can be a cruel game.
“You make your own luck in football and if we keep playing as well as we are, results will come. Sometimes you only believe in a style when the results come, but we believe in it already. We’ve played two very good teams in this league and we should have beaten both of them. However, we need to get that elusive win.”
The Coventry-born forward wants the elusive win to come at St. Andrew’s this Saturday when they take on host Birmingham City.
Paterson concluded: “We’re all confident; all the lads are talking positively about the way we are playing at the moment. We’re working hard on the training pitch and I think Birmingham will know they are in for a tough game.
“We believe that, with the team we have and our style of play, we can beat any team in this league. Hopefully we can show that and get three points on Saturday. Once the first result comes, I think we’ll go on a good little run and I’m sure we’ll climb up the table.”
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