Phil Sumbler
Jamie Paterson is someone who was written off by many as a Swansea City player but he is currently enjoying a new lease of life under Michael Duff and wants that to continue as long as it possibly can.
It has been a strange time for Pato in SA1. An early spell of form had him as one of the hottest properties at the club but transfer rumours in 2022 and a very odd row over a contract extension seemed to pause that with Paterson missing some games through his frame of mind – a reason dismissed far too easily.
However, the evidence of the player was always there and the reasons why Russell Martin targeted him as a first signing at the club should never be forgotten and he is currently enjoying a successful run in the side – arguably his most successful run for almost two years.
The simple part of this is when Jamie Paterson is playing well the team look significantly better for it and he seems to have benefitted from the departure of Joel Piroe having featured in all six games since his former team mate departed for Leeds.
Another ninety minutes in Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Norwich helped give the Swans a third successive win and Paterson is the latest player who has dismissed some of the rumours that surfaced about a lack of togetherness in the squad.
That was a definite accusation thrown at Michael Duff after the Cardiff game where it was claimed that he had already lost the dressing room but it is noticeable that several member of the squad have been clear in dismissing this since they surfaced.
“All of the guys are working hard in the press together, I think the fans can see we have each other’s backs,” Paterson told the club’s official website after the midweek win.
“It really is a good group, I have said it before and I mean it. We have had a hard run but we have stuck together, we have deserved these wins, but there is another game coming up quickly, and hopefully we can take another result into the international break.
“After the start we had, there are one of two things you can do. You can either feel like the world is against you and sulk about it, or you can stick together and work to turn things around, and everyone has done that.
“We have had to work to try and find the right formula and you can see that everyone is plugging away and that shows the strength of the group.
“Personally, I am enjoying it, I am playing in a number 10 role, which is more my natural position. The important thing is I am fit and getting fitter, and I like to show that energy when I am fit.
“Last season was a bit of a write-off because of injury, but I hope I can start adding some goals to the tally, but I am definitely enjoying it.”
Paterson will look to continue his run of form at Plymouth tomorrow when the Swans play their next fixture and the last one ahead of the international break. What price him signing out on this mini run of fixtures with a goal?
