Midfielder Paddy Lane spoke to the media after being nominated for the January Player of the Month award from Sky Bet League One, as well as being named in the best Under-21 XI in the EFL this week.
Lane, who scored his fourth goal of the season in the draw against high-flying MK Dons on Tuesday evening, currently sits on 12 goal contributions for the season and is joint second in the assists leader board for the league on eight. He will be looking to add to this tally on Saturday when the Cods travel to the Jonny-Rocks Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Here’s what Paddy said in a recent interview:
On being named in the best U21 EFL squad and for Player of the Month…
“It’s great to be recognised individually for what I’ve been doing, but at the same time, I wouldn’t be in this position without the team as we wouldn’t be picking up the points we have been. It’s good for me but I’m just trying to keep my head down and keep working hard.
“I’ve always believed in myself, as I know I can play to the best of my ability at all times, but it’s all come at once in terms of the player of the month nomination and being named in the best Under-21 EFL squad, so I was taken aback by it. I think it’s all come from what I said before which is that I believe in what I can do on the pitch.
“Both the nominations are unbelievable, I’ve got to say the player of the month one is special because I’m only 20 years of age and it’s great to be recognised by the whole league, but I’d have to say that both awards are as good as each other. I’m just trying to not think about them and focus on the game on Saturday.”
On being used to the surroundings at Fleetwood now…
“A few months ago, I was still trying to get a shirt in the squad and make sure it was mine come each match day. I’m not saying that shirt is mine going forwards, but I know I am more than capable of keeping it now and will just need to keep working hard and producing the performances, and helping the team in whatever way I can.
“I’m more comfortable now, in terms of the surroundings, as I know the whole situation now so I know that it’s hard work that’s needed from now on. I get on with all the lads really well, and we’ve taken to each other since I arrived at the club, so you know that it’s a close dressing room and I love coming in every day to work hard and give these performances on the weekend.”
On his contributions so far this season…
“I’ve always said that I want to add goals to my game this year; I’ve been getting assists and recently I’ve just been finding myself in those positions and I’ve been buzzing about scoring a few. I just need to work on my celebrations now after the other night - I might need to pre-plan something next time!
“The only thing that matters is getting the goals and assists to help the squad progress and thankfully, the latest goal meant we picked up a point on Tuesday. I know what’s expected of me on the football pitch, and I’m loving every minute of it so far. It doesn’t matter if I score in a loss, it’s all about helping the team for me.
“I think Cambridge away will always stick in my mind because it was my first professional goal and with the nature, it came as well, it was a good strike. On the other hand, I like scoring creative goals as I like to work my way into those situations and it’s great when you put them away.”