Yusuf Akhamrich loves playing at The Memorial Stadium and wants to continue his form at BS7 when Bristol Rovers welcome Crewe Alexandra in Sky Bet League Two.
The 20-year-old might be on his first loan move away from Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur, but he has not shown a lack of experience in senior football. The winger has been one of the Pirates' key performers since making the move to the Club in the January transfer window.
Akhamrich has scored four times and provided one assist, all at The Mem, with his February exploits earning him the Christophe Duchamp Player of the Month award. He netted the first goal in the Gas' 2-0 victory over Walsall before getting a goal and an assist versus Grimsby.
Speaking to the media before Rovers welcome Crewe, Akhamrich is excited to play at home again and feels the Gasheads have played a big role in their improving form.
“The atmosphere plays a massive part," he said. "I feel like the fans get the team on it a lot more than when we play away and just hearing them roar and cheer for us gets us going. It’s like having an extra man, and we use that to our advantage. I just love being in front of them and scoring goals.
“The fans are amazing. It’s not 60,000, but the noise they make kind of sounds like it is at times. They are amazing the way they get behind us, not only cheering for goals but things like tackles, a goal line block or a header. They get behind you, and they celebrate as if it’s a goal as well.
Akhamrich has started six of Rovers' previous seven fixtures in Sky Bet League Two, but he had to work hard to get a chance in the blue-and-white quarters. The 20-year-old started with two appearances off the bench before being handed his first start against Newport County, where he scored twice, and he is putting everything into his performances on the pitch.
“In my first two games, I was on the bench, and I came on, and I think I played quite well when I came on against MK Dons," said Akhamrich. "So, I was lucky enough to get my shot to start in the next game at home, and from then on it’s just been a work in progress. I’ve been doing my best every chance I get to play.
“I try to get the crowd going, and I try to get them excited by the way I play. Getting them up and on their feet gives us more to play for and gets the players going as well."
As he stated previously, Akhamrich is a player who wants to get fans off their feet at every opportunity with his close control dribbling, clever flicks and ability to score a sensational goal out of nowhere.
Another talent in his locker is his versatility. Akhamrich played the majority of his minutes on the right at the start of his Rovers career, coming off the right and onto his stronger left foot to great effect.
He scored three goals there before moving into an attacking midfield position behind the two strikers. More success came immediately, getting a goal and an assist against Grimsby Town. Akhamnrich believes his versatility will help boost his development.
"I think it's very important to be able to nail down more than one position, as it gives you more of a chance of playing," said Akhamrich. "For me, if I can do that, it’s only going to help me in terms of playing and in terms of developing as a player, having different positions under your belt."
Not only is Akhamrich getting used to senior football for the first time, but the winger has also moved to a new city, swapping London for Bristol. A new environment always brings challenges, with Akhamrich feeling the benefits.
“I think I have developed and I’ve matured, not only as a player but as a person being in and around professionals day in and day out, and there are staff that have coached at a higher level," he said. "I’m just learning and taking everything I can in every day is what I am trying to do and I’m trying to improve myself every single day."
