You 'beauty' as Frank Lampard makes admission about Coventry City's intentions with Jamie Paterson
Frank Lampard says there’s a “real beauty” about Jamie Paterson’s connection to Coventry City. The 33-year-old forward was not only born and bred in the city, but is also a life-long Sky Blues fan who has been linked with interest from the club for many years.
And when he became a free agent in December after a short spell with MLS side Charlotte FC of North Carolina, USA, he jumped at the chance of joining his hometown club, initially to train and keep up his fitness.
Lampard has spoken extremely highly of the versatile player ever since it emerged that he was training at Ryton and revealed that it was always his hope and intention to sign him on a short-term deal until the end of the season – something that became reality today.
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“I suppose there’s always been a bit of a view (to sign him) because it’s not something that we do normally, and it’s not that common,” said Lampard.
“I don’t like it too much, too many people coming in as a trialist, if you want to call it that. But because I know his pedigree it felt different and his obvious link to the club. So I think at that point it was as case of, let’s see how it goes.
“It was moving parts for us a little bit; the January window was coming and we had injuries at the time to Ephron and Haji and they’re now in their returning phase. But we know the rigours of the league and the run-in and what it may bring, so it has become more and more apparent that it fitted for both sides. So, we’ve ended up to where I thought we might get to but I didn’t want to comment on that before because we didn’t know we would.”
Paterson has travelled with the squad for Saturday’s Sheffield Wednesday, having been registered with the EFL while awaiting international clearance from the States – something that can be granted up to an hour before kick-off.
Asked if he’s ready to play after just over a month of training with the Sky Blues, the City boss said: “Yeah, pretty much. We haven’t had a big game play for him to be involved in but he’s worked really hard in terms of in training and doing extra and he’s a fit lad who knows this league very, very well. So, as far as I’m concerned, he’s ready to go.”
Paterson ticks so many boxes on paper with his quality, versatility and experience.
“Yeah, and he’s played lots of Championship games, scored lots of Championship goals and assists and all those things,” agreed Lampard.
“So I think the quality is there for us to see in terms of his record. We’re still a relatively young squad so adding experience with the versatility around him and, as I say, the voice in training and the sort of attitude in training. He shows good things for other players around him to look up to and see.
“And especially in a period when he’s been coming here and not knowing exactly what he’s going to be and he’s acted like our player, and that’s been really impressive to me.”
Asked what is his best position and where he’s likely to fit into the Coventry team, the head coach revealed: “Well I asked him a couple weeks ago and he was like, ‘I have played as an 11, as a seven either side, as a ten, as a front man, as a six, as a double six at one point, and as an eight. So I don’t think that it’s a massive question.
“My feeling is predominantly maybe a player that will play off the left for us, someone who can play maybe in behind and offer us options in-game, potentially, as we go along. So I don’t think we have to sort of pin him down to one particular spot.”
Asked about the connection with the club and city, Lampard said: “There’s a real beauty in that and you can see it in him, that he’s excited and loves the club, and I think that’s something that I relate to. It’s a nice feeling and I think the fans will relate to that, I hope, because he wants to come and help and wants to show he’s a good player, and he’s given off that impression. So it’s ended up hopefully being a win, win at this point and hopefully he can contribute and help us.”
As for how important he feels the affinity to a club can be for a local lad, Lampard said: “There is something really special. I’m lucky to have been part of that, having come through at West Ham as a West Ham fan as a kid. So I understand feelings. I then went to Chelsea and got very, very attached to the club myself and was able to play alongside John Terry who had come through, and you understand what that means to the fans.
“And then to see when I went back to manage them the academy players come through and what that meant to the fans, and it’s an important thing.”
He added: “We might be losing that bit in the modern game with the way that academies are producing players to then move on and make a profit. “It’s all of these things that have changed but I don’t think the basics have changed, and particularly for a very passionate fanbase at Coventry, which I’ve realised very, very quickly. And if you buy into that and if they can feel a link and see a link, then I think that is a an added positive for everybody. So, yeah, it’s a real nice story with the Jamie.”
As for the contract situation and asked if both parties will remain open minded about what will happen in the summer, the City boss said: “Yeah, sure.”
