Holly Davies speaks exclusively to Martin Samuelsen as the youngster gets ready for tougher challenges.
Promising young hammer Martin Samuelsen is currently enjoying his loan spell with Peterborough United. After scoring a goal in the third round of the FA Cup against Preston, the Norwegian is now set to face Premier League side West Bromwich Albion in the next round.
The West Ham loanee is looking forward to facing a Premier League side for the first time – after already having faced Championship side Preston North End.
“It’s good to play teams from the higher leagues”, Samuelsen says.
In November, the 18-year-old played his first competitive senior game as he got his debut against Scunthorpe in a League One fixture. Since that day, he has kept impressing and has delivered both goal assists for Peterborough.
“Every game is helping me develop as a whole. It’s getting me used to a more physical and faster game than I was used to with the u-21s,” he said.
Peterborough United is providing a good experience for Samuelsen and he’s thankful to the team and Posh manager Graham Westley.
“I’m very grateful to the manager for wanting to sign me on loan back in November and giving me a chance to express myself on the pitch. I’m enjoying my time here, the people are nice and it’s a good environment for me.”
With this being the Norwegian’s first taste of first team football, he explains how different it is compared to youth football.
“There is more pressure to win games here, when I was with the u21s, it was just more important for us to improve [in] each game.”
Even though Samuelsen is still only 18, he doesn’t feel age is a factor when it comes to going out on loan. When facing new challenges, he believes that ‘if you’re good enough, you’re old enough’.
Peterborough United will travel away to West Bromwich Albion in the fourth round of the FA Cup on the 20th of January.