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Despite an injury setback early on in his spell with Blackpool, Charlie Patino has had a positive few months with the Championship side so far.
The 19-year-old has made 18 appearances in all competitions, scoring a couple of goals and providing a couple of assists from midfield.
Blackpool have had real problems as a team, dropping into the relegation zone. But Patino has been a bright spark on an individual basis, and Blackpool boss Michael Appleton is clearly happy with how he’s adapting to senior football.
“I’d like to think progression-wise he’s learnt a lot,” Appleton said. “He’s certainly developed already in a short space of time.
“There’s parts of his game that people probably questioned – even at a very young age – whether he could cope with it, and obviously the physicality side of it was probably one. I think he’s dealt with that really, really well.
“I think he is far more competitive than what people give him credit for. He’s had to play in two or three different positions and had two or three different roles in terms of what we want from him. He’s enjoyed that, he’s stepped up and taken the responsibility at a very young age.
“I think both ourselves and Arsenal are delighted with Charlie. I think Charlie is in a good place and he’s looking forward to the games coming up.”
Blackpool’s situation certainly isn’t hopeless, as they sit just three points behind 18th place – despite their current position in 22nd of 24 Championship teams. A win or two could see them shooting up the table.
Their next match is away to 21st-place Hull City on Boxing Day, so this would be a good time to get one of those victories.
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