Paul Heckingbottom on Stefan Thordarson

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Transcript

00:00How are you finding the schedule at the minute?

00:01Mavs spoke last week about he doesn't love a full week of training because you're

00:04just like, next game, next game.

00:05Have you got to try and keep it fresh for the players?

00:08Yes, you have to keep it fresh and staff.

00:11But I think when you've been in this league, you get used to it.

00:16But then with that, you can maybe underestimate the effect it has on people who haven't been used to playing this level,

00:22whether that's week-on-week fixtures like Kane and Sam,

00:27in terms of them performing for us week-on-week.

00:30I know they've had a lot of Championship games, but week-on-week.

00:32Steffi just coming in the building, things like that.

00:35So I think it's really important that whilst we're using these games and we want to win points in them,

00:41we're also using them to help the ones who need to adapt to it.

00:44Not just get through the games, but understand how to get through them best,

00:48because at the minute, we've only got two free weeks again in December.

00:53So, yes, the schedule doesn't change too much.

00:56How would you assess Tordarsen so far?

00:58He looked like a bit of a star in pre-season and then he's kind of been in and around it, hasn't he?

01:02Yes, it's the same as when we speak about any midfielder, there's a lot of competition in there.

01:08But I still think, and I look at the attributes Steffi's got,

01:12and I think there's a player in there who could potentially go on and be a top, top player.

01:20Adapting to this league and the physicality, the speed.

01:23Anyone who's seen the Danish league a lot, a lot of Scandinavian leagues, really, if I'm honest,

01:29really heavy on the tactics, really passive without the ball.

01:35And then it's a big, big difference when you come to the Championship.

01:38Like Jeppe and Steffi are seeing that, it's a huge difference.

01:45Add to that twice as many games and, yes, it's a big, big, big culture shift.

01:51Not only moving to a different country, but the actual job that you're employed to do is totally different.

01:54Yes, he's got the athletic qualities, though, do you think, to try?

01:57Definitely, and the technique.

01:58You can ride in the box, you see him training, him scoring goals, love his attitude,

02:02wants to train, wants to do well.

02:04See you again when we're watching him for ice and Mac has watched all his games and he's been playing.

02:08And, yes, we can see everything about it and we have to help him adapt and adjust to us and our league.

02:17Because, as I say, I think there's a player in there who could be a really, really good midfielder, like a top midfielder.