Jamie Patterson ticked the boxes for Dean Smith and Billy Davies.
Now, after falling out of favour under Stuart Pearce and Dougie Freedman, he’s desperate to catch the eye of Chris Powell.
Town’s newest recruit, who joined on loan from Championship rivals Nottingham Forest with a view to a permanent move as midfield ace Jacob Butterfield joined Derby County, is certainly impressed by his new gaffer.
“I had heard a lot of good things about him, and they were backed up when I arrived to talk over the move,” explained the attack-minded 23-year-old, who started his career at Walsall and was given his debut when ex-Town player Chris Hutchings was at the helm.
“He was very positive about me joining, as was the chairman, and everybody I met at the club made me feel welcome and wanted.”
It’s reasonable to assume that wasn’t the case at Forest.
Having flourished under Smith’s tutelage at Walsall, the midfielder or No10-style forward moved from West to East Midlands in a £1m deal in July 2013.
His first campaign, under Davies, went well, with 39 appearances and 12 goals, including a double as Town were beaten 3-0 at the John Smith’s Stadium.
But last season, which started with Pearce in charge and ended with Freedman in the City Ground hot seat, yielded only 25 outings, just seen of them starts, and one goal.
“I think I need a fresh start and this move has given me one,” added Paterson, who made more than 100 Walsall appearances and scored 16 goals, the first coming in the 1-1 League I draw with Town in Huddersfield in November 2011.
“When I signed here, I said I have good memories of the stadium, and hopefully I will get plenty more goals.
“I know the results haven’t been the best so far, but I’m told the performances have been better than our points tally would suggest.
“I’m here to do all I can to help us climb that table, and I can certainly say the spirit in the camp is fine.
“I only knew Ishy Miller, from our time together at Forest, but the rest of the lads have been great.
“We have another week to get ready for the Cardiff City game, and I can’t wait for it to come around.”
