Interview ~ Nathan Tyson

Ten Minutes With Tyson

After The game against Swansea, Blues striker Nathan Tyson gave me ten minutes of his time for the exclusive interview with The Wanderer...

A lot of people were surprised when you signed for The Blues. What was it that made you join?

NT: Just the fact that I wanted to play regular first team football. Tony Adams gave me that chance so I just really went from there.

So was It hard for you to leave Reading?

NT: Not really no, because my mind was up that I wanted to come to Wycombe. It’s just round the corner from home too, so I wouldn’t have to move house or anything. It was quite a quick decision as I wasn’t playing at Reading.

Do you think this Wycombe side is good enough to go up?

NT: Yeah. Except for today’s result, I think we’re good enough to get back up there. We’ve been to the top now so we can do it again.

So today (V Swansea) was just a minor setback?

NT: Absolutely. Your going to have them, everyone has bad days. That’s just the way it is.

What would you say are the main strengths of your game?

NT: Running at players, getting in behind and getting shots off. Didn’t see much of that today though (Laughs).

What areas of your game are you looking to improve?

NT: My right foot. It’s something that’s been on my Christmas list since I was about 10. Definitely my right foot.

So have you always been a striker?

NT: I played on the left wing for Reading first team but that’s about it.

You’re the favourite to be the League 2 top scorer this season. Does this put any extra pressure on you?

NT: Am I?! I don’t really listen to any of that, I stay well clear because otherwise it can go to your head.

You just try to put as many as you can in?

NT: Yeah absolutely, I just try to get as many as I can.

So do you set yourself a target for the season?

NT: I set myself stages in targets really. I try to get 10 goals as quickly as possible, then after that it will be 15 then 20 and so on depending on where I am in the season.

So the sky’s the limit

NT: Yeah.

You’ve played up front with quite a few players including Faulconbridge, Stonebridge, Ahmed, Savage and Birchall amongst others. Who is your ideal striking partner?

NT: That’s a tough question; I can’t really pick out one as they’ve all been great. Birchall’s been great, Stoney’s a very, very good player, Bas (Savage) I’ve played with before at Reading so I know him inside out and Ahmed is a very promising player. I’m looking forward to playing with him more. He’s still young and therefore has time on his side.

It certainly seems that players like Faulconbridge and Stonebridge compensate you well as they are good at holding the ball up whereas you have pace.

NT: It’s a case of opposites attract really. They hold up the ball and I do the running.

How do you think Adams playing experience aids the team?

NT: A hell of a lot. Since I’ve been here the team’s changed. We’ve been doing a lot of defensive work and that’s helped to hold us together.

How did it feel to be named WWISC’s player of the season last year?

NT: I was overwhelmed to be fair and a bit shocked. I think someone else should have got it but I’m always happy to take awards! Seriously though I was very, very pleased.

So what’s been your favourite moment since joining Wycombe?

NT: Probably that award, getting a good start this season and scoring goals lasts season. Also the Oldham game last season was very overwhelming.

That was the club’s first away win for over a year...

NT: Yeah that’s why it was great to get that result and scoring 2 goals that day was terrific.

So where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

NT: I don’t know to be honest. Whether it be here, whether it be somewhere else I just don’t know. I hope to get a couple of promotions with Wycombe within the next 5 years so we’ll see how it goes. Fingers crossed, I won’t get a major injury.

(At this point! suggest that he could be knocking them in for Wycombe in the Premiership, an idea which Gus Uhlenbeek, who was walking past at the time, found highly amusing)

EDITOR’S COMMENTS:
First of all I’d like to thank Keith Allen and Alan Hutchinson for arranging the interview and to Nathan for his time. Nathan came across as very down to earth, friendly and professional and is clearly enjoying his time here at Wycombe. Considering his ability, that's very good news indeed.