LAURENT - "I WAS SO EXCITED TO PLAY IN THE DERBY!"

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Midfielder looking forward to pushing on with the team

2024-09-02T11:16:47.374Z

LAURENT - "I WAS SO EXCITED TO PLAY IN THE DERBY!"

Midfielder looking forward to pushing on with the team

2024-09-02T11:16:47.374Z

Midfielder looking forward to pushing on with the team

Josh Laurent said he was gutted the squad couldn’t clinch three points against Blackburn Rovers in Saturday’s East Lancashire Derby at Turf Moor but did say he’s loving playing for the Clarets under Head Coach Scott Parker.

Speaking after the game the midfielder said: “I loved every minute of it, I’ve been waiting for it all week.

“I knew when I signed it was a big game and then as soon as the Gaffer gave me the nod and the trust to play the game, I didn’t want to let him, my teammates or the fans down. I was excited all night to play in it.”

It was a fast-paced game which showed all the trademarks of a local derby, which Laurent was pleased to see.

“I loved it. We enjoyed it. I’m gutted we didn’t win, I felt we should have, we should have been more ruthless - so something to improve on together. But yes, I loved the game.

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“We have to make sure that we’re up for it, that we’re here to compete and win our duels. I know the Gaffer told us at half-time that we won 75% of them so we were on top of things in that sense. But in derbies like that and in every game, we’ve got to win our duels, be competitive, be horrible to play against off the ball.”

The 29-year-old was thrown straight into the action, having signed on Thursday he only had the one training session before making his debut in the high emotions of the derby.

“For the Gaffer to put his trust in me like that, I just wanted to repay him. I didn’t want to let him down, or my teammates or the fans. I’m very grateful. I just want to keep improving and get better with my teammates.

“We’ve got a good manager, an organised Club, a good group of boys. I couldn’t wait to get in the building, meet everyone and get going. The feel since I’ve been here has been unbelievable. This is the happiest I’ve been in a while, I’m really excited to push on and get going with my teammates.”

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With the upheaval that comes with a busy transfer window, now that it’s closed will this help the squad to feel more settled?

“Now everyone knows where they’re going to be until January, it’s about staying together, building relationships, and building a team that wins, that moves forward and hopefully that gets promoted.

“Getting promotion to the Premier League is our aim. The standard set is high, everyone knows what the goal is, what the ambition is, and it matches mine. The manager, I’ve nearly signed for him twice, then this third time when he came knocking there was no chance I was letting it slip. I’m happy to finally play under him and achieve our goals for the season.”

Whilst still only in his first week, what are his impressions of the Club so far?

“The squad is unbelievable, it’s a good group of boys who have been very welcoming. Very smiley group, which I like! We’ve got good players in there who have played in the Premier League, I want to learn from them, set the standards with them and get up there with them. As for the manager, I personally don’t think there’s a better suit for myself. I’m really looking forward to working with everyone here, all the staff have been amazing with me, I can’t wait.

“This is the happiest I’ve been playing football in a few years if I’m being honest. I’m happy to here, everyone’s made me feel so comfortable already. Hopefully, that can come out in my game because everyone’s at their best when they’re happy.”