Sondre Tronstad is relishing the chance to play in the Championship – and reckons it will be a good fit for his game.
Tronstad has made several appearances during pre-season after joining from Vitesse Arnhem on a free transfer over the summer.
“I have heard about it a lot. It is a competitive league, a physical league,” the Norwegian midfielder explained.
“I am looking forward to it, I think it suits the way I want to play on the pitch. It will be nice to have the full atmosphere (against West Brom).
“You don’t really have much time, it is just about games and then recovering for the next one. But that is what we all like, we want to play games.”
Tronstad previously had a spell at Huddersfield as a youngster but failed to make a senior appearance for the Yorkshire club.
The 27-year-old says his time with the Terriers has helped him adjust to life back in England after spending the past three-and-a-half-years in the Eredivisie.
“There is a lot of rain but I am enjoying it,” he grinned. “It has been just over a month now and we’ve worked hard in pre-season.
“It has been easier this time around than when I first came when I was younger.
“But of course, it always takes a bit of time to get settled in with everything – a new team, new club and everything is new. I think I am getting more and more used to it now.”
While Tronstad hasn’t been East Lancashire for long, the midfielder has already been impressed with the supporters.
“The passion for the club is big,” he continued. “It is more than I am used to at other places, that is one of the biggest differences.
“The passion from the players and the fans, I think football is a big part of life for a lot of people. I think it is everywhere in the UK.
“That is what you want as a player. You want lots of fans and support, you want the passion. These things are what makes football the best.”
Tronstad is enjoying working under Jon Dahl Tomasson at Rovers and says the boss has given him a clear picture of what he expects over the coming season.
“He is very clear what he wants and some things are a little bit new for me,” he stated. “He has been clear with what he wants from me and the way he wants to play.
“I know exactly how we want to play so that makes it a bit easier for me, but as I said it takes a little bit of time to get used to everything.
“It is not like you come to a new club and everything works straight away. You need to see how the team plays and make sure we are good together.”
While Tronstad has welcomed the chance to get minutes under his belt during pre-season, he admits the squad is eager to get the league campaign under way.
“I think every player wants to be there when pre-season starts and get ready to work,” he added.
“It is a little bit different if you come during the season and have to go straight into games. I think it is a good way to start, and also to meet the players and see the fans at games.
“Of course, what really matters is when the season starts and you can get points. That is what we are really looking forward to now and personally, I cannot wait to get started.
“You want to play competitive games and play as many as possible. That is what I like about this league, it is a lot of games.”
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