Watching from the stands whets striker's appetite for playing return.... Matty Fryatt admits heâs been more of a Hull City fan than a Hull City player for the last eight months, after surgery on his Achilles left him to watch the Tigersâ promotion charge from the stands. But with his road to recovery almost at an end, the striker is itching to get back out onto the pitch to try and help his colleagues over the finishing line. When Fryatt went under the knife back in October, it seemed that his season had come to an end with a solitary appearance against Rotherham United in the Capital One Cup the only mark on his appearance column. Surgery was always the last option. The 27-year-old tried several times to get by on injections, but having broken down in training each time, an operation became inevitable and playing any type of football before next July seemed unfeasible. However, under the guidance of the clubâs expert medical staff, Fryatt has come through his rehabilitation with flying colours and is now threatening a first team return in the closing weeks of the season. âI think I probably need another couple of weeks in training,â Fryatt told www.hullcityafc.net âAfter that, if the manager feels that he can put me on the bench or use me in some sort of cameo role Iâd be delighted. âTo be honest, Iâm just taking it one day at a time but hopefully in the next couple of weeks I can put myself up for selection. âI havenât looked at the fixtures because having initially thought that I wouldnât be back this season, just being able to contribute or play a role would be pleasing. âTo be fair, as long as the team stays on course and hopefully achieves promotion, then whether I play or not doesnât really concern me. Iâll be there to support the team whatever happens. âIâve spent the last eight or nine months being a fan, watching the team play or watching the results come in when I havenât been at the game. The boys have done tremendously well to get us into the position that weâre in and hopefully we can see it through in these remaining games.â Fryatt returned to full training just short of a fortnight ago and has been quick to show the kind of deadly finishing that saw him end the 2011/12 season as the clubâs top scorer. Although delighted to be back out on the park with the rest of the squad, the former Walsall striker admits it has been hard getting back up to speed. âIt feels really good to be back in training because obviously it has been a long time since Iâve done any of that work,â added Fryatt. âI can feel the fitness and sharpness gradually coming back. It is difficult though because the rest of the lads have been playing a lot of games and are fully match fit, whereas Iâve come into it having done virtually nothing all season. âEssentially Iâm having to try and do a pre-season now and then try and look reasonable compared to the lads that have been flying, so it is difficult from that respect. âBut the main thing is that I can see light at the end of the tunnel and I feel as though Iâm nearly there.â All that really remains now is for Fryatt to get back out onto the KC Stadium pitch and the striker would be delighted to play some part in the closing weeks. âIt would be great to get a few minutes under my belt, even if it didnât happen until the last game,â says Fryatt. âFrom a personal point of view, Iâve really got to write this season off. But the team have still got a lot to play for and it would be massive if we could see it through to the end. âLike I said earlier, Iâve been more of a fan than anything else this season and whatever happens, Iâll be here to support the lads.â http://www.hullcityafc.net/news/article/fryatt-comeback-interview-753122.aspx?pageView=full#anchored
“After that, if the manager feels that he can put me on the bench or use me in some sort of cameo role I’d be delighted. “To be fair, as long as the team stays on course and hopefully achieves promotion, then whether I play or not doesn’t really concern me." “It would be great to get a few minutes under my belt, even if it didn’t happen until the last game,” Is it just me or do those quotes not sound like someone who is chomping at the bit to reclaim his position as the club's main striker? Obviously he will be a bit nervous coming back after such a serious injury, but strikers should always be desperate to play as many games as possible to maximise their goal tally. I don't want to sound anti-Fryatt because I think he's top striker on his day, but he always comes over as lacking passion.
I actualy do see what you mean but I wouldnt read anything into it, Matty is just a very laid back character. He lacks that 'fire in his belly' and maybe that's why he's not a Premier League quality striker.
Maybe so, but although the interviewer writes; "the striker is itching to get back" I see no evidence in his quotes. He doesn't even say that he was frustrated at not being able to play for 8 months.
He is taking it one step at a time, being well ahead of his expected recovery date he is in no rush to push it and have a relapse. Just makes you think how we would have done with a fully fit Fryatt all season.
Nice interview with Matty. Even though he was top scorer last season I dont think he was at his best. Lots of scuffed shots and timing was off on one and ones. I have a feeling he wasn't 100%...achilles bothering him maybe. Hopefully this operation has done the trick and we'll see Matty back to top form next season. Him and Aluko and Boyd could be a real handful.
IMO, Fryatt will become one of our 7 subs from the Ipswich game next week. 15-20 mins cameo at the end of each game will be far better than our reserve team / league. Less pressure away from hiome as well.
