Notts County striker Alassana Jatta has made a significant impact since his arrival from Danish club Viborg in January 2024.
The 25-year-old Gambian forward, who has netted 10 goals and provided two assists in 13 appearances, recently spoke candidly about his experiences at Meadow Lane and his aspirations for both club and country.
Reflecting on his recent match, Jatta noted: “It’s actually a really, really nice and interesting game but quite tough in the second half. It’s quite a mixed feeling not to get all the three points but congratulations to the team for fighting to get the points away.”
His comment highlighted both his competitive spirit and his commitment to the team’s collective effort, even when results were not ideal.
Jatta’s eye-catching contribution, capped by a well-executed goal, resonated with both his teammates and supporters.
Speaking on the moment of scoring, he remarked, “Yeah it’s like a really, really good set up to end up being a goal but what a cross was actually incredible.” This humility and recognition of his teammates’ support speak volumes about his team-centric approach on the pitch.
Now boasting 10 goals for the season, Jatta expressed satisfaction but remained determined for more. “It’s actually positive, looking for more,” he said, when asked about his tally. His ambitions do not stop there, as he shared his season’s target.
“I would say double digits or maybe triple. Just actually working hard to help the team achieve their goals this season.” His response underscores his drive to push boundaries and contribute significantly to Notts County’s campaign.
Jatta also showcased his ability to hold up play and take on multiple defenders during the match, attributes that have earned him praise among the fanbase. However, he attributed much of his standout performance to his teammates.
“I would say the team actually helped me make it easy for me because the space, like JB [Jevani Brown], Sam [Austin], the skipper [Matt Palmer] and everyone, it’s not about me holding the play, but for them making the runs so that I also have space to play,” he explained. Such statements reflect a player who understands and values the collaborative nature of football.
When asked whether he feels at home at Meadow Lane, Jatta’s response was heartfelt: “It’s actually a really good feeling. I feel like I’m in Gambia as well.” This connection to both the club and its supporters was further emphasised when he discussed the fans.
“Yeah they’re actually really really special fans and I really like them and they also like me so I like their energy,” he said, recalling a touching moment when he collected a Gambian flag from one of the fans in the away end. “They called me to get the flag, so I was like okay what about.”
Jatta’s recent call-up to The Gambia national team adds another layer of excitement to his season. Having been named in the squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, he expressed both enthusiasm and hope.
“It’s actually a very, very positive feeling because I’ve been called up before but quite unlucky... hopefully now I actually have the chance to help them and hopefully I will try to help us both,” he said, determined to make his mark after missing out due to previous injuries.
He recognised the significance of the upcoming fixtures, adding, “Our destiny is in our hands. We have to try and get to maximum 4. If 6, we can actually have a ticket to be in there but it’s in the normal hands.”
Despite the excitement of representing his country, Jatta reassured Notts County fans that the squad’s depth would keep them competitive in his absence.
“David [McGoldrick] is going to be back and everyone is going to be back. We have better players than me on the bench so they won’t,” he said confidently.
In his time with Notts County, Jatta has shown not only skill and scoring prowess but also humility and an evident connection to his teammates and supporters.
With double or even triple-digit goals in his sights and international opportunities on the horizon, Jatta’s future at Meadow Lane looks bright.
-
7
-
9
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment