Liam Kitching adds weight to calls for Coventry City to snap up free agent
Liam Kitching has added his weight to calls for Coventry City to sign free agent Jamie Paterson. The Coventry-born forward has been training with the Sky Blues for a month, during which time he’s impressed head coach Frank Lampard as well as the players.
Lampard says the 33-year-old has been “first class” both on and off the training pitch as he looks to secure a contract with his home town club until the end of the season.
The former Swansea City star already knows Jake Bidwell, Joel Latibeaudiere and new signing Matt Grimes from their time playing at the South Wales club, and has quickly got to know the rest of the squad at Ryton. City have until the third week in Match to sign the player, who is currently unattached after leaving MLS side Charlotte FC in December.
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Asked about the player’s quality and influence at the training ground, Kitching said: “He’s a great lad and good little player out on the training pitch. But he’s a top lad in the changing room as well, so we’re pushing each other on and just trying to help each other.”
As to whether he’d like to see Paterson snapped up by the club on a contract to help the push up the table for the play-offs, the centre-half added: “One hundred percent, yeah. I have played against him a few times and he’s always been a tricky player, so I think he would be a good addition for us.”
Lampard has spoken about the impact of the versatile and experienced forward, revealing he’s not only looking “fit and sharp” but also been a “brilliant” character in the dressing room.
Meanwhile, former Swans team-mate Latibeaudiere said of the forward: "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.”
