Wolves: Nathaniel Mendez-Laing pledges not to get carried away after applause

Aug 29 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

NATHANIEL Mendez-Laing has no plans to pop his first bottle of man-of-the-match champagne.

The 17-year-old made a fine start to his senior career against Swindon on Tuesday and admitted to being rather taken aback by the reception he received from supporters and sponsors.

The Birmingham-born winger made an instant impression as he played the first hour of the midweek victory, so much so that he shaded the sponsors’ award.

“It was a great night when everything went well for me but more importantly the team won the game to get through to the next round,” he said.

“Before I went out the gaffer just told me to play my own game, to play just like I do in the youth and reserve teams and try and take players on and if I can’t then just pass it.

“After I went on the first run I just grew in confidence and the adrenaline got going and I just carried on from there.”

Mendez-Laing was delighted with the applause he received as he left the pitch.

“When I’m playing I just tend to blank everything out to concentrate on the game but when I was coming off I heard the good reception and was buzzing,’’ he said.