Joel Latibeaudiere explains exactly why Coventry City should sign up former teammate Jamie Paterson
Joel Latibeaudiere knows from first-hand experience exactly what Coventry City will be getting if the club opts to sign up Jamie Paterson on a free transfer.
The “massive” Sky Blues fan has been training with his home-town club for just over three weeks, initially as a mutually beneficial agreement to help the 33-year-old stay fit after leaving MLS side Charlotte FC, while also boosting the training numbers at Ryton amid the current injuries to key attacking players.
Head coach Frank Lampard has spoken about the impact of the versatile and experienced forward in glowing terms, revealing he’s not only looking “fit and sharp” but also been a “brilliant” character in the dressing room. The Coventry-born player is one of four ex-Swansea stars at the club, having played with Latibeaudiere, Jake Bidwell and new signing Matt Grimes in South Wales.
READ MORE: Coventry City transfer news live on deadline day
READ MORE: Frank Lampard reveals players’ reaction to first session with Matt Grimes & why he stayed away from Swansea
Asked what he’s looked like in training and how he’s been in the dressing room, defender Latibeaudiere said: “Well, straight away he’s a bubbly character who has been in a lot of dressing rooms as well in his career. As soon as he came in there was a big difference in the mood, to be fair, just seeing a fresh face and the bubbly character that he is; he speaks to everyone and that was big for everyone.
“And then on the pitch he’s been getting back fit and involved in the sessions, so we’ll just wait and see what happens.”
As for what Paterson could bring to the team, Latibeaudiere has no doubt about the player’s quality, saying: “He can play five positions, anywhere across the front five, left wing, up front, left eight, right eight, right wing so he obviously brings that versatility and experience.
“He’s been in this league for a long time and played in a lot of teams so he’s got that in his bag as well. And he’s just got that calm presence up front when we need to make that pass, get a goal or make something happen.”
Paterson started his professional career at Walsall but went on to play for Nottingham Forest, Huddersfield, Bristol City, Derby and Swansea – making 304 Championship appearances in total and scoring 48 goals at the level.
But the player, who has been linked with interest to his home-town club on a number of occasions over his career, has never hidden his affection for the club he grew up supporting and still loves to this day.
“Yeah, he’s a massive fan and he told us that when he got the call from the gaffer to come in to train,” revealed Latibeaudiere, before adding, “the first thing he did was went and told his mum, which is a nice thing for him.”
Asked if he’d like to see Paterson sign – something which he can do at any time outside today’s transfer window deadline due to him being a free agent and unattached to any club, Lati said: “Yeah, of course, I think he’d be a good asset. But at the end of the day that’s not my decision. That’s up to the gaffer and the people upstairs but yes, of course I’d like to see him sign.”
