Hartlepool: Fredriksen hopes to impress
Jon-Andre Fredriksen today vowed to show Chris Turner what he is missing by forcing his way back into the Hartlepool United first team.
The Norwegian summer signing started the first five games of the season but has been confined to a substitute's role ever since.
Some Pools supporters have questioned why Fredriksen, who impressed during pre-season and on the opening day against this Saturday's opponents MK Dons, has not been given another chance in midfield.
Fredriksen accepts that competition is fierce in Pools' midfield, particularly with the capture of new signing Joe Gamble.
But the 27-year-old hopes he can show enough to director of sport Turner and assistant Colin West to regain a starting spot.
Fredriksen said: "It started well but I've been on the bench now for a while. You have to be patient, but you can't be too patient.
"I have to train well for Chris and Colin to see I'm good enough. I have to do well in training and during the reserve matches which are very important.
"I've come on in the last few matches and have to look forward now and hopefully I can get more minutes. We have a lot of midfielders now but it's Andy (Monkhouse) really whose standing in my way on the left.
"Andy is the top scorer at the club. But it's a long season and everyone has to be prepared to come in and do a good job."
The example of fellow Scandinavian Armann Bjornsson should serve as a good role model for Fredriksen.
Icelandic striker Bjornsson was struggling to even feature as a substitute.
But injuries to James Brown, Denis Behan and Colin Larkin have seen the 28-year-old score three times in six successive starts.
Fredriksen said: "Armann got his chance and took it well. He's scored three goals now with Browny and Behan on the injury list.
"When they come back, there's going to be big competition for those two places."
Fredriksen visited the town's Hart Primary School this week to publicise Pools' new initiative to attract more young supporters.
Under-10s are able to attend the Gillingham, Carlisle and Southend home games for a total of 10 while accompanying adults can go through the turnstiles for 15 per match.
Pools hope the scheme will boost their dwindling crowds although the noise of English football supporters has stood out for Fredriksen more than the quantity of supporters.
"In Norway, you might get 10,000 people for a Premier Division game but they're not so crazy!" he said.
"They just sit their and clap rather than jumping around and singing.
"I know the crowd is going down but we are in a good place in the table.
"We have to look forward and hopefully they will come back and see us.
"You have big matches against Leeds and Charlton where there's lots more people than even in the Premier Division in Norway.
"Going to Elland Road was unbelievable to see 30,000 people signing."
Meanwhile, Pools youth team will travel to Anfield in the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup if they can get past Watford.
Pools face the Hornets at Victoria Park on Tuesday in the rearranged fourth round tie with the winner facing Liverpool, who crushed Leicester City 5-1 to make it through to the final 16.
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Weather for Sunderland
Friday 10 February 2012
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