United switch is my biggest test says Chelsea rookie Ben Gordon
IT IS a path trodden by few who have arrived at Glanford Park.
But Chelsea rookie Ben Gordon is confident he has the right attributes to succeed at Scunthorpe United having been forced to swap a charge for Europe for a relegation battle at the bottom of the Championship.
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CLARET AND BLUE IS THE COLOUR: Ben Gordon surveys his new surroundings after arriving at Glanford Park - five weeks after his loan deal from Premier League champions Chelsea was first announced. Picture: Ray Corke.
The 19-year-old full-back finally joined his new Iron team-mates for training yesterday – five weeks after his loan switch had been announced.
But having been dogged by a hamstring injury during January, suffered in the final game of his six-month stint at Scottish Premier League side Kilmarnock during the first half of the campaign, Gordon is ready and raring to go
"I've been itching to get here," Gordon, who was born and raised in Bradford, told the Telegraph.
"Every Saturday you see results coming in and all my mates are playing. I just wanted to be out there too.
"But now I'm here and by the end of the week I'll have trained a bit with the rest of the lads and got to know everyone's names. Hopefully I'll be involved at the weekend.
"I've had three days of hard training at Chelsea at the end of last week.
"They've given me the all clear to come to Scunthorpe so as far as I'm concerned, I'm ready for selection."
Having been a schoolboy at Bradford City and Leeds United before being spotted by the Blues, as well as being sent out on loan to Tranmere Rovers and Killie, Gordon knows a thing about settling in at new clubs.
It is a nomadic lifestyle which he believes will help make a success of his three-month stay at United – that and the chance to regularly experience his mum's cooking 'for the first time in a long time'.
Although yet to make an appearance for the Premier League champions, Gordon played 21 times for Kilmarnock, scoring once, while up in Scotland – helping keep the Ayrshire club in contention for a UEFA Cup berth.
But while the Chelsea teenager's brief SPL career included matches against both Rangers and Celtic, he expects the Championship to provide a much sterner test of his potential.
"I loved it at Kilmarnock," Gordon added.
"My personal view was that I would have stayed for the rest of the reason, but Chelsea wanted me to come and test myself in the Championship.
"When I knew there was the chance of that I was keen to come back. I've been looking forward to it for weeks.
"The Championship is a good league, so I want to get some more games under my belt and see what this division is about.
"This will be the toughest move I've made in my career. It's definitely going to be a challenge.
"It's no offence to the SPL, but this is the best league I'll have played in and obviously with Scunthorpe's position it's going to be a good test. I'm sure I'll enjoy it though."
6 Comments
by Simon Fox, Scunthorpe
Wednesday, February 09 2011, 11:14PM
“Yer i agree with jingles welcome to glanford park and if he can do as well as corky did for us he will definitly be a messiah for the club”
by 1500club, Lincs
Wednesday, February 09 2011, 12:54PM
“Get him in at left back and Nolan at right back for Saturday - drop Wright and make Byrne fight his way back.
We need Duffy as outside right, Josh Wright in for Togwell as inside left, Hughes inside right and a replacement on loan for Wooldford OR play the Man City loanee in a midfield five....oh and more DUBBIN, more WINTERGREEN etc.
I thought that we showed more passion on Saturday than in a very long time - the result was no reflection on the performance.
Up the Iron!”
by P.Doff, Missedsville
Wednesday, February 09 2011, 7:34AM
“Hi Oscar, missed you, hope you had a good time. I have been taking in all the positives from Saturdays close defeat against Ex Premiership giants Hull (lovely stadium).
I see our former leading goalscorer and sole left winger seems to be enjoying his jump up to Championship football with fellow strugglers Bristol. Forte is banging them in for fun with Nige.
Our new CB Nelson did a superb assist on Saturday - he's good with his head and on the ground which is encouraging. He even combined those two assets on Saturday.
We have a new striker, former Premiership club (nice stadium) and fellow strugglers Middlesbrough have loaned us one of their top strikers to help us win all our games in hand two against former Premiership clubs Portsmouth and Forest (nice stadiums).
There are some bargains to be had on the ticket front what with Dancing On Ice affecting the crowds the club are all out to go head to head with Philip Schofield.
All in all with our win this weekend coming against soon to be Premiership club (nice stadium) Cardiff Bara nad Parkin are raising the lad's morale to a new high. Nigel who??”
by Eddie Murphy, on the pop
Tuesday, February 08 2011, 3:47PM
“Nope, everything's great. Wharton's international marketing machine has kicked into action (we're now averaging 7,386), Woolford, Hayes and Hooper are back, along with an experienced, creative central midfielder. The pitch has been relaid to allow us to play the attractive, passing game that got us where we are (long balls have been banished), and you get a free pint and a foot massage at the turnstile. Happy days!”
by Oscar O'Moggie, Brigg
Tuesday, February 08 2011, 3:11PM
“Hi guys, just had an unexpected weeks holiday, anything happened whilst I've been away.
Are the doom and gloomers still moaning?”
by jingles, Bottesford
Tuesday, February 08 2011, 11:26AM
“Ben,may I wish you a very warm welcome to Scunthorpe.I hope it proves to be a successful partnership. You have some very good reports from Kilmarnock I hope this continues.As you said in your interview this is your biggest test yet.It certainly is!!! I have a feeling that you are going to turn out to be our MESSIAH so heres to a very good partnership and bringing success to the IRON . ONWARDS& UPWARDS”