Pawel Abbott

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Interview: 15.3.07 |
He may have only been here for less than two months, but Swans striker Pawel Abbott has already worked under three different managers.
Having been signed from Huddersfield at the end of January for £150,000 by former boss Kenny Jackett, the Polish Under-21 international is out to impress his third 'Gaffer' after current incumbent Roberto Martinez took over from caretaker boss Kevin Nugent three weeks ago.
Martinez was in the stand as an observer when Abbott, who signed a two-and-a-half-year deal, got off the mark with his first goal at Rotherham.
Now the 25-year-old is determined to show his new boss that he's capable of banging them in on a regular basis.
"Having three managers in such a short space of time was obviously a bit unsettling,'' admitted Abbott. "But as a player you've got to be professional about it and be prepared for whatever comes your way.
"The Gaffer had a one-on-one chat to every player when he arrived and we all know what is expected of us.
"He's had a big impact since he arrived. He has come across very well; is full of enthusiasm and is determined to drive the club forward.
"Every single player is fully behind him and we want the same things. Swansea is a club that should be in the Championship and I am confident he can take us there.''

While Abbott had to be content with a place on the bench on his arrival, Adebayo Akinfenwa's broken leg against Scunthorpe presented him with a starting place alongside Lee Trundle up front - an opportunity he intends to take.
"My first goal at Rotherham seemed a long time coming, but hopefully I can kick on from there and get into double figures before the season ends," he added.
"Obviously we all feel for Bayo, myself included, but hopefully now I'll get the chance to show the fans I'm worth the money the club paid for me.
"Because I haven't played a great deal of football this season, it has taken me a bit of time to get my match fitness back. I had a double-hernia operation at Huddersfield and then found myself restricted to the substitutes bench. But I'm getting stronger with every game and developing a better understanding with Trunds.
"Having played against him in the past, I knew what Trunds could do before I came here. But I've still been amazed at some of the things he does, especially in training.
"I'm excited about our partnership and confident it will get better and we'll get enough goals between us to fire the team into the play-offs.''
Abbott may get on well with Trundle these days, but he had every right to feel a little apprehensive on his first day at the Liberty Stadium.
Not only did he score twice against the Swans back in December as Huddersfield ran out 3-2 winners at the Galpharm Stadium, he gave Trundle a bit of stick as he walked to the dressing room after receiving a red card late on for violent conduct.
"Thankfully nothing was said when I signed,'' explained Abbott. "I've had a bit of stick since then though.
"But it's all part of the settling in process. It's never easy joining a new club, but everyone has been very good to me and made me feel really welcome. I've settled in now and enjoying the area.''

Abbott's route to the Liberty Stadium wasn't a straight forward one. In fact, it came via Poland.
Born in York to an English father and Polish mother, Abbott started playing football in North Yorkshire at the age of seven with local side Beagle Boys as a right-back and then a central midfielder.
But at the age of 11, the family decided to return to his mother's roots and they left England for a new life in Poland.
"I suppose it was quite an experience for an 11-year-old to go and live in a foreign country,'' he added.
"But while it was difficult leaving all my friends, I also remember being quite excited about the move. I had been over to Poland a few times on holiday and found it to be a nice place.''
Abbott started playing football in Poland as soon as he got off the plane and eventually joined a football school in Lodz.
"They don't have a YTS scheme like they do over here. In Poland there are two or three football schools where the best players go from the ages of 14 to 18.
"It's similar to a college where you do academic studies, but you also have football training for a few hours a day. Training every day really brought me on as a player.''
So much so that Abbott signed a professional contract for LKS Lodz at 17 years of age.
After a season in the first team squad, he was invited back to England for a trial with Middlesbrough. But after six weeks at AyresomePark the Teesside club didn't take up the option and he looked set for a return to Poland.
But Preston had seen Abbott playing in a reserve team game for 'Boro and asked him along for a trial.
This time they liked what the 19-year-old had to offer and they splashed out around £250,000 for his services from LKS.
But Abbott couldn't force his way into the Preston first team and made just 20 appearances in just over three years.
He was sent out on loan to Bury twice, before joining Huddersfield on loan as a makeshift replacement for Jon Stead who had been sold to Premiership side Blackburn.
He scored on his debut against Bristol Rovers after coming off the bench and eventually made the move permanent in March 2004 for £125,000.
Nicknamed Pav by the Terriers faithful, he went on to score 51 times in 126 games before falling out of favour this season with manager Peter Jackson as the likes of Gary Taylor-Fletcher, Andy Booth, John McAliskey and new signing Luke Beckett all battled for a place up front.
Abbott still managed to score five goals from 10 starts and 10 substitute appearances this season before Jackson confirmed he was willing to let him leave the Galpharm Stadium before his contract ran out at the end of the season.

"I can see why people didn't like Jacko," he quipped. "I can't put my finger on why he didn't want to play me in the end, but he was the manaager and it was up to him.
"I enjoyed most of my three years at Huddersfield, but the time was right in my career to move on.''
MK Dons came in for him and he travelled down to speak to the League Two side. But as he admitted: "I never really wanted to drop down a division.
"Then Swansea came in for me and I jumped at it. I came for talks on Sunday and signed on Monday. It was as simple as that. It all happened so quickly.''
Abbott has since moved out of his hotel room into an apartment, although his girlfriend Monika and son Zak (two) have flown back to Poland for a break before relocating to Swansea.
With his family complete again, he hopes they are on hand to witness him bag a few more goals that help lead his new club into the play-offs and ultimately the Championship.
"It's going to be difficult, but we are still capable of it,'' he declared.
If it doesn't happen, and it won't be for the want of trying, Swans fans could hear a few Polish swear words reverberating around the Liberty Stadium!














