CAMEROON international Lauren has thanked Lee Dixon for helping him adapt to life as a full-back.
Lauren was more of a midfield player when he arrived from Real Mallorca last season, but has switched to right-back this season to excellent effect.
And it was Dixon – the man whose place Lauren has taken in the starting line-up – who is to thank for making the transition so successful.
« I enjoy playing in midfield, but I don’t mind playing in defence either. I also play differently in international games because Cameroon play a 3-5-2 system, » Lauren explained.
« When I first switched to full back I spoke to Lee Dixon because he has played in that position for 15 years and knows so much.
« I wanted to know about the movement that is needed and the positions that you have to take up and he was really helpful.
« Whenever I asked him for advice he would talk to me and help me. »
Lauren admits he feels more at home this season after a debut year that was disrupted by injury and participation in the Olympics.
« It can be hard when you first arrive because of the language and the fact that it takes time to settle into a new team, » he said.
« But I never doubted that I had made the right move and the manager and all the players helped me which is important when you are new.
« The players were great because they remember what it was like when they first arrived and they helped me settle down a lot.
« I feel I have done well this season. I have played in more games and I am more confident. I am just trying to improve in every game and keep in the team. »
