Aji Alese has shared his opinion on his start to life at Sunderland, including working his way into the starting eleven, working under Tony Mowbray and helping Jewison Bennette fit in with the lads.
MOWBRAY ADVICE
“I can’t remember exactly what was said but I think it was along the lines of just go out there and play how you can play. He knows I’m a good lad, he knows I’m a good player so just said go out there and enjoy it and that was it. He’s good with all the lads and if you’re left out he will put his arm around you and have a chat with you so it’s easy to get along with him.”
GETTING IN THE STARTING XI
“It’s been a bit difficult when I haven’t been playing but the team has been doing really well so I just have to keep working hard and stay ready to get an opportunity and it happened to come around this time.”
TIME OFF
“Obviously we’re here to play football but you get more time with the squad so you create better relationships with some of the players you don’t know as well. It’s just time to have meetings and speak to each other. Sometimes when you have a few lads who are younger it’s easier to gel with them but the older lads have been amazing with the younger lads settling in as well.”
BENNETTE
“Jewi brings a lot of pace, a lot of flair and is very confident on the ball. He doesn’t speak a lot of English but you can see the way he plays that he’s very comfortable. He brings a different dynamic where he can take a player on and a difference where he can go down the wing on his left foot. Some of us know a few Spanish words so we try to speak to him in that and he’s picking up English very quickly. To be fair to him he’s doing well. He’s a nice lad so it’s easy to get along with him and when you’re a nice lad you can fit in with anyone.”
