Reaction: Abankwah Discusses Debut

On-loan Udinese defender James Abankwah spoke to watfordfc.com after making his debut for the Hornets in today’s 2-0 win over Derby County.

Read what he had to say below…

On his first action as a Watford player:

 “Yeah, it was really good. I enjoyed being out there with the lads and we obviously did really well to pick up the three points.”

On getting booked for a challenge within the first minute:

“I saw the ball there and just decided to go for it! Obviously I got the booking for that, which I didn’t think it was.”

On how he is settling in with the group so far:

“Yeah, I’m settling in really well. The lads have been brilliant with me, the gaffer, the staff and everyone else around the club have been really good, very welcoming to me, so I’m really enjoying my time so far.”

On what Tom Cleverley has said to him:

“Just the speed I bring into the defence, and just playing on the ball and being calm on the ball.”

On what type of defender he thinks he is:

“I think I’m a bit of both you know, I like to attack, and I like to defend.”

On the other Irish players at the club:

 “Having Rocco [Vata] and Festy [Ebosele] around has really helped me settle in and get to know the other lads a bit more.”

On helping provide a clean sheet on debut:

“Yeah, on my debut it’s a great feeling and hopefully there are many more to come.”

On what the game was like to play in:

“It was a tough game you know, going up, going back. It was hard on the legs, but we did the job and got the three points.”

On his first taste of Watford’s fans:

“They were brilliant. I could just hear them the whole game and even after the game chanting. It’s nice to hear.”