Striker ready for first season back from injury
- Michael Ailemen discusses aims for the new season
- Striker excited to be back
- Youngster pleased with team performances
Huddersfield Town Under-19 striker Michael Aileman is raring to go in his first season back from injury.
Last season, an injury saw Aileman ruled out for almost the entirety of his maiden campaign.
Speaking to htafc.com, the 17-year-old can’t wait to push on.
“At the start, I just took my injury in as a blessing to use the time to put on weight and muscle mass like the Club wanted, but as the time went on, it got harder and more frustrating, so I started to lose focus.
“When I started getting reintroduced to the pitch, I got my focus back, and now I’m fully fit and ready to go.
“Pre-season has been really good.
“My main aim was to get fitter and be able to challenge and compete with my teammates because they were already naturally fitter since I was injured last season.
“I’ve done that well, and I feel like I have got to a stage where I am able to maintain that fitness with my other attributes like strength, speed, and power.”
Ailemen went on to discuss the Under-19s’ performances so far this season.
“Squad performances have been good - you can see what it is that we’re trying to do on the pitch.
“We are learning to adapt to other formations, and we need to just keep on going.
“There is healthy competition between the group, so we just need to push on for the rest of the season.
“We have been focusing on how we press more often, we’re playing a 4-4-2 formation which not everyone is used to.”
The striker got himself on the scoresheet in the Young Terriers’ 2-2 friendly draw with Guiseley on Tuesday 9 August, and explained how much it meant to him.
“It means a lot to get a goal!
“It’s been a while since I’d scored because I was injured, and then I moved positions, but yeah it feels good to have got my name on the scoresheet.
“You get a buzz when you score!”
The youngster also took the time to highlight his aims and ambitions for the 2022/23 season.
“I need to get my stats up. I didn’t have any stats last season due to my injury, and for me to be seen as a valid striker at Town, I need stats.
“My favourite thing about playing football is scoring. As a striker that’s the only thing you want to do, so when you do score, whether it’s a header or off your knee, a goal is a goal!
“Good performances will come naturally if I am scoring goals, but I’m making my focus wider to include good stats, goals, and assists.”
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