The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
Hjelde jumped right in with no hesitation
MICHAEL Beale hailed new signing Leo Hjelde’s performance in the 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough as “fantastic”.
Hjelde was thrown straight in at left-back and Beale said: “I thought he was fantastic. For someone who has only just come in and known the players for three or four days he came in and did well.
“We know he has played in this league. We know he has played in the Premier League as well for Leeds, so there was no doubt putting him in and I thought he showed what he can bring to the club.
“Obviously he can play left-back, but he’s more comfortable at leftsided centre-half but I think he is a player at 20 we have done very well to recruit. I thought for a debut and for 90 minutes he goes away with a big pat on the back.”
As for Hjelde, he said he enjoyed his debut and added: “It felt very good. It was a tough and scrappy game but we stuck in there and got a point so it was good.
“Centre-back is my main position and I prefer that one but listen, I will play anywhere the gaffer picks me, I’ll play left wing if he needs me there. For me it’s getting game time and being on the pitch.”
Asked if he felt it was a missed opportunity he said: “I feel like if we had taken a couple of chances in the first half we could have got away with a win. But at the end we are happy with a point on the road.”
On starting the game having just arrived at the club he admitted: “I feel like I have slotted right in. Obviously I was a bit excited and nervous when I heard I was playing but it was great news and I was very pleased with that.
“The travelling support was amazing. I knew that, so it wasn’t a surprise but it was probably better than I expected.”