How Ainsley Maitland-Niles Has Improved His Game

Ainsley Maitland-Niles believes he is ready to take his game to the next level this season.

“I only got two assists last season and I’ve got two already this season, which is a good start,” he said. “Hopefully I continue with my assists and maybe create more opportunities to get my stats higher this season.

“I worked on it a lot when I was younger because I used to play on the wing, so the timing of my runs is everything to me.

“That’s what’s going to get me in on goal, that’s what’s going to get me behind the defence to either pass to someone else or to shoot on goal myself. It was very important for me to learn how to time my runs and create opportunities for others.”

“There’s quite a few things [I have learnt] really,” he continued. “He knows me as a winger, so attacking-wise he’s helped my game a lot. Defensively, I go to someone else to help me because they’re two different styles that I have to play.

“Him personally, he’s pulled me to the side a lot and has shown me different techniques and ways of beating players, ways of crossing the ball and shooting. It’s helping me and I’m happy to have him around because he’s such a big figure in the team.”