Phil Sumbler
Jamie Paterson is definitely a man in form and one of the key reasons why the Swans run of form leading into the international window was as good as the four successive wins suggested it should be. Back in the side and clearly enjoying his football it is very much like taking time back two years when you watch Paterson play.
As Wales Online pointed out at the start of their interview with the player, it was two years ago yesterday that Paterson scored the first of three Swansea goals in a win over Cardiff that set up a run of four successive wins over our local rivals and of course a double double into the process. At that stage it seemed that every faith Russell Martin had placed in the player was justified with the Swans boss already having admitted that Paterson was an immediate thought when he first signed on the line to become Swansea City manager.
That was October 2021 and everything looked as good as it could do. Fast forward three months and there was a very odd row over a contract extension that was followed by an absence from the team that was put down to Paterson ‘not being in the right frame of mind.’
It set the tone for a period that lasted more than twelve months with links with QPR (January 2022) and Coventry (January 2023) looking set to end his time at Swansea but the reality never materialised and Paterson was left to fight for his place at the club. Russell Martin himself spoke about Paterson at the end of that January 2022 window when he said that holding onto Pato was like having a new signing in his squad.
The contract extension discussions were dismissed as about finance by Martin and CEO Julian Winter said that the player never asked for a move away from the club and as that 2022 window closed then Paterson was back in the squad – it was the only thing we could do at the time.
Fast forward six months and there were cracks in the relationship between Martin and Paterson. Or at least that was how it appeared at the time as the then Swans boss slammed Paterson in an interview after the player punched the ball back onto the pitch in a 2-2 draw with Millwall that saw the Swans conceded two injury time goals.
“The ball goes out for a throw-in,” Martin ranted at the time. “One of our players not involved punches the ball back on the pitch. I’m absolutely furious about it. I’ve told him. That just can’t happen. He punched the ball back to them to take a throw-in quickly and we concede a goal.
“Whether you’re on the bench or whether you’re not involved, you need to add value to your team somehow. That’s certainly not adding value.”
Paterson though was keen this week in his interview with Wales Online to dismiss any belief that his relationship with Martin was broken and he said “Me and Russell Martin had a really good relationship, regardless of what everyone else says. All the rumours and all the stuff that goes on outside. I got along with him really well.
“We were both frustrated because I couldn’t get myself fit. He wanted me on the pitch making a difference. There were maybe times I came back too early thinking I was ready but I wasn’t.
“That would set me back again, which is probably my fault. But because I got along with him, I just wanted to come on and make a difference and get back to form. I hate being injured. It’s not a nice place. Especially when the team’s losing, it’s even worse. You feel like you can’t change anything or make a difference.”
It is clear that some of the things written about Paterson on all forms of media has hit him hard during his time in Swansea and clearly any suggestions of mental health struggles should never be dismissed no matter what your trade or profession may be.
“There’s a lot of nonsense that’s been written since I’ve been at the club,” he added when asked about the speculation around his apparent first-team exile.
“It does affect you and it can get you down no matter how long you’ve been in the game. You’re already injured and not bringing anything to the table. You know that everyone wants you to be back fit playing. It’s not an easy place. You feel like you’re letting people down, even though you’re trying your hardest. It becomes a struggle.”
Paterson also dismisses the rumours linking him with Coventry back at the start of this year but Martin himself at the time said that there was interest in the player although no formal bids from Coventry were ever confirmed.
“It was all just stupid Twitter rumours that everyone just jumps on,” he added. “I think sometimes two and two get put together. I’m injured in January and people perhaps don’t think you are injured. I don’t know. But once a rumour does come out, clubs do actually start getting interested. It just becomes a farce.
“Naturally, teams will be interested in players they think are not wanted at their club. Whether or not that’s true, clubs will still try it. It’s just the way it is.”
Paterson though is now back in the squad and his fitness appears good and he is clearly enjoying life at Swansea under Michael Duff. Whatever his relationship was with Martin then a fully fit Paterson at the top of his game will be good for Swansea and the longer he enjoys that the better.
“The Cardiff game just put a lot more pressure on the place, just by the nature of the game. It’s the biggest game of the season regardless of where you are in the league. It was a bit of a catalyst really. We all came together and training was very spicy for a good week after that. There were tackles flying in everywhere, and the gaffer’s built a real winning mentality in training. If you lose a five-a-side game you’re fuming. That spreads through the team.
“People are putting their bodies on the line just to win a game of five-a-side. That does transfer to the pitch. It’s taken a little while to build what’s been a different culture.
“For me, I just want to enjoy my football every game, and play football,” he added. “I want to enjoy being injury-free, and whatever happens there is up to them. They can crack on and have those conversations. But for me, it’s about playing, winning every game and trying to get this team back to where I think it deserves to be, in the top league.
“We know what happened before with all that sort of stuff. I don’t even wanna talk about that because it’s boring. But I’ve always wanted to stay at this club. I’ve never wanted to leave this club. No matter how anyone else has spun it. That’s the truth.
“I love it here. I love the area. Love the people. Love the staff. Everything about it. I love playing for Swansea. The way they play suits me. Plus living on the beach. That always helps! I had a home at Bristol City when I was there. I never thought I’d get that again, where I have like a family and I really love it here.
“That’s key for me. If I love it here, I don’t need to leave to go anywhere else.”
Jamie Paterson was talking to Wales Online.
