Nathaniel Clyne says he intends to make the most of the opportunity to play his natural game at Saints.
Clyne’s attributes as an attack-minded full-back fit firmly into the system Nigel Adkins’ men are looking to play in the Barclays Premier League this season, and the 21 year-old defender is relishing the prospect of terrorising teams in the top-flight.
“I’ve been given the licence to get forward by the manager who told me that we’re going to be playing attacking football because we want to have a go at it this season,” he told Saints Player.
“This allows me to play my game and I love to go forward to create opportunities and help out our attacking options. I like to defend as well, but if I can get forward then I will do that too.”
The former Crystal Palace man has been at his new club for nearly a month already, and he admits that he likes what he’s seen so far.
“I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” Clyne highlighted. “I’ve joined a new club and been getting used to the players - it’s going well for me too and I’m enjoying it. I enjoy training every day, working hard, and I’ve enjoyed the pre-season games so far too.
“We have the right attitude to train,” he adds. “We’re working hard and the training is more difficult here which is better for me because it means I’ll develop more as a player.
“I’m playing with better players here which will also improve me and it’s clearly a Premier League club so the standards are higher which is good for me.”
Despite missing the first couple of weeks from Saints’ pre-season schedule, Nathaniel is firmly up to speed following two further run-outs this week, and the full-back believes that both he and the squad are in a good place ahead of the new campaign.
“Bristol City was a tough test away from home, but I think we played well, we kept the ball, we did what we usually do, created lots of chances. Unfortunately we didn’t win the game, but it’s pre-season and we’re trying to get our fitness right which is the main thing really.
“I played 90 minutes in the game against Bristol, and on Saturday I’ll add to my fitness so then I’ll be one hundred per cent ready for the start of the season.”
Saints play their final warm up game this weekend against Udinese and Clyne is looking to the game as a marker for the season ahead,
“I’m looking forward to it,” he asserted.
“Udinese are a top Italian team and it will be a good test for us as they’re in the Champions League so I’m sure it’ll be a good challenge and we need matches like that if we’re going to play in the Premier League, because we’ll be coming up against teams like that every week.”
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