I'VE BIDEN MY TIME AND NOW IT'S PAYING OFF

IT’S always special to see young players grab their first-team opportunity with both hands – and Jasper Pattenden is certainly doing that right now at Wycombe Wanderers.

- John Lyons

The 21-year-old was signed from Non-League Worthing in July last year and enjoyed a sprinkling of action with the Chairboys last term.

However, it wasn’t until the end of September that he really got a chance to stake a claim for a regular starting spot. Injuries to his right wing-back rivals opened the door – and Pattenden charged through it.

He made seven appearances in a busy October which saw Matt Bloomfield’s men come up against the likes of Portsmouth, Peterborough, Bolton and Oxford. To hold his own in that company shows he has potential to become an established EFL player in time, and he believes he’s in the perfect place to develop his game at Wycombe.

He lined up at right-back in the goalless draw against Cambridge on Tuesday – alongside him in defence were Richard Keogh, 37, Ryan Tafazolli, 32, and Luke Leahy, 30.

“The experience of those boys around me is so good,” he said. “I probably get a bit annoying at times picking their brains to try to find out more things about how I can improve!

“I’m loving working with the players and the staff every day. Anyone you ask at this club, or who has been at this club, will tell you that the changing room and the group of people - the players and staff - is incredible.

“It’s an amazing place to come to work and play football every day, and I am so grateful to be at this club.”

Pattenden is relishing every minute of first team football he gets at Adams Park.

“To be able to get this opportunity, have a run of games and play consecutively is great,” he said. “The experience of playing against some of the top teams that used to be in the Premier League has been really good.