Jamie Donley is pursuing a breakthrough for Stoke City and is determined to prove Thomas Frank correct
The playmaker for Stoke City and Northern Ireland shares what Mark Robins and Spurs manager Thomas Frank have told him.
As he attempts to replicate his performance at Leyton Orient for Stoke City, Jamie Donley is already feeling the improvement in quality.
Last season, while on loan, the 20-year-old playmaker helped Orient reach the League One play-off final by setting up ten goals and scoring eight himself.
After starting the first two Carabao Cup rounds and making two substitute appearances in the league thus far, Tottenham Hotspur has now released him once more to try himself in the Championship.
When his Northern Ireland manager and former Stoke manager Michael O’Neill came to witness him at the bet365 Stadium last weekend against West Brom, he was benched despite setting up the third goal in a 3-1 victory over Derby on his debut. Nevertheless, he knows why and what he must do to gain access to Mark Robins’ main plans.
He told the Belfast media, “I think I was ready for the challenge after the season that I had.” Even though there have only been a few games, you can already tell how intense and good the players are.
“We’ve performed incredibly well, even though I know I haven’t played as much as I’d like to. I knew I wouldn’t be starting the game because we’ve won three straight.
“I can sense and observe the various league levels even while I’m coming off the bench. I hope I can do it on that stage when I get the chance.
Regarding my goals, I believe they were the same as they were the year before: to play as many games as possible. You play men’s football on loan because of this.
Although I don’t really set objectives for myself, I believe I had a strong return in goals and assists the previous season. I simply work to position myself so that perhaps goals and assists will come.
“Everyone can get better, and I’m no exception. I strive to improve every element of my game since I don’t believe any of it is flawless. I make an effort to do things as best I can, whatever that may be.
In order to get Donley, who returned to Spurs for the preseason under new manager Thomas Frank, Stoke had to defeat opposition from Championship rivals.
It is hoped that he can accomplish enough in the upcoming months to ensure that he is in a position to attract Frank’s attention the following summer, confirming that Frank was correct about the player.
“I had a few managers call me while I was away on pre-season with Tottenham,” he stated. They try to play terrific football, and even when they are not in possession, they play with a lot of pressure and intensity, according to Mark Robins, who called me.
“I believe that was a perfect fit for my game. It’s encouraging to hear that strategy because we’ve had a great start to the season.
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