Russell Martin has finally broken the club’s silence on Jamie Paterson, following last weekend’s breakdown in relationship between the player and club.
Martin spoke at length in today’s press conference prior to the Preston match and admits he has sympathy with the midfielder.
He also shared the view that Paterson has been misled by his agent and is in a difficult place.
“January is a really difficult time for so many players,” he told Wales Online in today’s press conference.
“Pato came to us in the summer and had a difficult summer.
“He’s nearly 30 and he’s been through his fair share of tough times. He’s had a bit of damage before in terms of trust in people in leadership positions.
“He comes here, he’s been fantastic. Performances have dipped lately because he feels a weight on his shoulders and that that he deserved a little bit more.
“He knows where I stand. Me and him haven’t fallen out, I love Pato. I’m disappointed he’s not in the right frame of mind to be involved, but a boy’s mental health is important. I’m not using that as a get out card.
“He knows my feelings. I don’t think he’s been given hugely supportive advice. I think clubs have already expressed an interest in him through his agent which is no surprise.
“The issue was with the contract extension. Hopefully if he’s still our player in two weeks time we’ll be able to move on and he can produce what he’s already produced for us, unless something satisfactory for the club, the owners and Paterson happens.
“He has to work really hard to get back into the team and the squad, but until then we’re in limbo a bit.
“He’s training, but not here. I don’t think that energy will be conducive to a positive performance for the rest of the guys on Saturday.
“That’s where we’re at. I don’t want Jamie to be the bad guy. He’s at where he’s at because of previous things he’s had in his career and his life.
“He’s at Landore with Kris and the guys. He’s not out in the wilderness. We speak on a daily basis to make sure he’s OK. he was back in as of yesterday and he has to train hard to keep himself fit.”
The latest revelations seem to suggest that Paterson will indeed be leaving the club by the end of January, with Martin confirming club’s have expressed interest in the player.
Great comments from the gaffer to be honest. Nice to see that he’s being as honest as he can be about the situation and the ludicrous positions agents put clubs and players in because they are trying to line their own pockets. Football agents- scum of the earth. The game would be a shit load better without them now. once there was a dire need for them as players were having the piss taken from them, but now they are just a cesspool of money grabbers and have nothing to do with sport. Football is in the financial farce it’s in due to these mega scammers.
Also, I’m never going to be too upset by a player who’ll be 30 soon leaving the club if we can bring in a young, hungry talent in that position, especially when we have a lot of experienced players in the club who’ll help bring the new boy up to speed. To be honest I think Patto’s pissed on his chips in terms of his relationship with fans here as we do not tolerate mercenary tactics from players. You put the shirt on, you play for the club, if not, no hard feelings but move on asap.
Spot on Simon!
NO ONE IS BIGGER THAN THE CLUB SIMPLE AS THAT !!! Off you go mush !!!
Pato has got to realise that not many ex Swans players leave our club and make it else where. He is a Jack now and the Jacks have made him play the way he does. If Pato does leave then I do think it’s down hill for him, just like all our ex Swans stars. He looked as if he was enjoying his roll on the pitch. I know that apparently his mental health is suffering over this issue, but I’m sure kicking a ball around and Scoring a goal for Swansea City is better than sulking. Pato we all admire the way you play so chin up and get that number 12 back on.
The club needs too to think deep and do a comparetive analysis that what would they be paying any other player of Pato’s quality. They should probably pay him a bit more and tie him down for 3 years with a whole new contract.
What a load of tosh!.
He wanted to sign ANOTHER MK dons player and thought he would shove
Paterson out the door as he needed more money.
Hes been full of excuses since he took over,havent had enough time to
work with players then gets a month off because of covid and says their rusty.
As a a true jack I have had enough of his waffle as we head towards the relegaton zone.
£400,000 grand compensation was a joke also
Hear Hear manager just a puppet for yanks
People on here are half wits!.
Complimenting manger indeed.
We have been in the play offs last 2 seasons a and now we are
17th and people say well done about the manager.