Manchester City loanee James McAtee has admitted that adapting to a new style of play at Sheffield United was a shock at the beginning of his spell in south Yorkshire.
McAtee joined the Blades at the start of the campaign on a season-long loan deal. The 20-year-old found playing time difficult to begin with at Bramall Lane and a horror show at Luton Town did not help matters.
Since that setback, McAtee has begun to find his feet again, going on to score his first for the club in October against Blackpool. Before the World Cup break, the Salford-born midfielder has continued to adapt to life away from the Etihad and he has now opened up on the difficult spell at the beginning of his Blades move.
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"I have had quite a few chats with the gaffer [Paul Heckingbottom], Jack [Lester] and Macca [Stuart McCall]. There is a lot I want to improve on," he told Yorkshire Live.
"Going back to the Luton game that was a wake-up call for me. When I was playing I was a bit in the headlights, I was a bit confused and didn't know what was happening.
"But I feel every game I am getting stronger and better and getting used to the speed. Not doing so well at the start has probably helped me more because I have learned more from being thrown around and being fouled, so yeah it's been a great decision [to come on loan].
"Hopefully now in the second half of the season I can kick on."
Clarifying these comments, McAtee added: "I have worked with Hecky. He has been teaching me and coaching me and I have been able to learn things to my game that I have not been taught. Playing at City it has always been the same way. Here it was a change and a bit of a shock at the start, but now I am getting used to it and understanding more off the ball.
"That's what is helping me a lot. The playing style was another shock to me. It's a different kind of playing style, not so much on the ball but off the ball it is very different."
Due to the unusual nature of the season, McAtee still has plenty of time left on his spell across the Peak District and has set himself a new challenge for the remainder of his stint. He explained: "I would like to start adding some numbers now. More goals and assists, playing with more risks and trying to be more creative."
Sheffield United and McAtee return to competitive action on Saturday as they host Huddersfield Town in the Championship.
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