Janoi Donacien spoke to the media this week and tackled a wide range of subjects, from his start to life in the Championship to his current work permit situation.
Q: What kind of lift has the win at Swansea given the team?
A: To be fair, before the win the boys were up but since it’s really kept us going. Training has been a bit more since the win.
It gives us the boost to know we can win games but we knew that already, we’d come close, so we keep on going.
We have to keep that momentum going, we have to keep the fans on our side and keep winning and playing well.
Q: You must look at the games on the horizon and think there are some games you can win?
A: Yeah, because the teams are in and around us so you would definitely think we can get wins.
The Championship is a tough league but we’re confident in ourselves going into these games, wanting to win.
Q: How do you feel you’ve settled into the Championship?
A: I think I’ve settled in well. I’ve played against some good wingers, players with qualities, but I feel like I’ve handled them well and done myself justice.
I’m just working hard and always looking to improve.
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Q: We’ve seen you at centre-back, right-back and left-back. That can’t be easy when you’re already finding your feet at Championship level?
A: Yeah, but I have played in those positions. It would be different if the gaffer was just sending me out to places that I have never played before. He knows I can play in those positions, so that’s why he’s put me in those positions.
I believe my best position is at right back, but any position the gaffer wants to play me, I’ll play.
Q: Would it help for you to get a run of games in a certain position though? It helps you to develop a relationship with the centre-back next to you or the winger ahead of you, for example.
A: Of course it does. You get used to playing with certain people and gel with certain people.
Q: You’ve been in and out of the team, partly because of six loanees rule. Has the gaffer always pulled you to one side to explain that?
A: He explained it to me the first time it happed. After that I’m not the type of person that needs reassuring. I know what’s going on. I’m strong in myself.
Q: Does it make it any easier being dropped when it’s down to rules rather than perhaps form?
A: I’m not sure about that, you’d have to ask the gaffer! It’s never easy coming out of the side, but you just look forward to going back in and hopefully taking your chance.
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Q: In terms of your status here, are you still on loan? What’s the latest with that?
A: I’m still on loan until I get my biometric (residence permit) card back from the home office and they want to sort me out.
It’s out of my hands, I’ve done everything I can do and I have to just wait.
Thinking back to the last time I went through it it was around this sort of time, but it’s all down to the home office.
Q: It’s a crazy situation, given the number of years you’ve been in the country?
A: It’s been there for me my whole life, it was there since I was at Villa, and it’s nothing new to me.
Everything off the field just goes behind me when I go on the pitch and I just try and enjoy my football.
Q: Is it discretionary leave to remain that you’ve applied for?
A: No, discretionary was the one before. Right now I’m on leave to remain. That’s what I’m applying for permanently now.
Q: The first time this came about, when you was at Aston Villa, this ended up getting raised in the House of Commons didn’t it?
A: That’s right. We went to our local MP to see if he could ask what was going on and raise some awareness.
I’m sure we’ll be doing that again though, not right at this moment, because there are a few bigger issues going on with this country at the moment!
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Q: But you’re confident this is all going to get sorted, right? Just a case of getting the paperwork rubberstamped?
A: Yeah, it’s just a matter of waiting for the biometric card to come through. Once you get that then you are sweet.
Q: And once you get that it will be final?
A: Yeah. It means that when I go out the country and come back in then it’s fine and you don’t have to go through a long process. That’s how it came about in the first place when I was at Aston Villa. I was going to leave the country to play in a youth tournament and realised there might be issues.
Q: What was it like working under Terry Butcher and Russell Osman during your loan spell at Newport?
A: It was good. It was only for a brief period but he took me in when I had nowhere to go and he helped me out.
It was really good. I was hoping to see them but I haven’t been able to since I came here.
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Q: What are your thoughts on international football? How much would you like to play for Saint Lucia?
A: I haven’t really thought about playing internationally to be honest. I’ve just been trying to find my way through and get back up through the leagues.
Right now I’m just thinking about my club career and Ipswich Town.
They’ve never been in touch with me so I must be flying under the radar and they must have better players. They must do, I don’t know.
If they want to ring me then I’m open. There are a few players who qualify for them through their parents or something.
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