(Picture: Action Images via Reuters)
LASSE Vigen Christensen has a smile back on his face – and the Dane is adamant Burton fans will also be grinning from ear to ear by the end of the season as he bids to help his new team survive the drop.
Last month, Christensen swapped Fulham for Burton when he joined the Brewers on loan, along with Whites striker Cauley Woodrow.
Since arriving in West London as a teenager five years ago, Christensen has been highly thought of by fans and managers alike. He has played in more than 50 Championship games for Fulham, while also featuring in three of Denmark's games at the 2015 European Under-21 Championship, where they reached the semi-final.
However, under Slavisa Jokanovic, the 22-year-old's opportunities dried up and, having not started a Championship match this term, he knew it was time to look elsewhere.
He was one of six to join the Brewers last month and the attacking midfielder made an instant impact, setting up Lloyd Dyer for what proved to be the winner against QPR on his debut, then helping his new side come back from a goal down to beat Wolves 2-1 last weekend.
Christensen is enjoying himself again as he fights to keep the Brewers in the division.
“My situation at Fulham was not the best and I was looking to get out,” he said. “Fulham wanted me to go and play, too, and Burton were obviously the interested party in taking me on loan.
“They got together with Fulham, and now I have the opportunity to play in the same division as my club. I can play against the same teams at the same level, so it is a good option for me.
“It's important for me to get that happiness and joy back in football, as well as my confidence.
“I have been working hard over the last few years, even though I have not played as much as I would have liked, and I believe I have improved and that I am a better player.
“I am the sort of player that will give my all. I will do what I can to make sure Burton have a good final few months of the season.
“I have definitely been surprised at how good the level of football has been since I came.
“The two games I was part of showed we can win games, and to come back from a 1-0 deficit against Wolves was a good boost.
“There is definitely enough talent here to stay in the Championship.”
It is not just Christensen who has impressed Nigel Clough and the Burton fans since arriving.
Fellow Fulham loanee Woodrow grabbed a 94th-minute winner against Wolves last weekend.
Christensen admits it has been helpful having a familiar friendly face around to help him adjust to his new surroundings.
“We are still trying to sort out a more permanent place, but so far we have been together in the hotel,” he added.
“It always helps when you come to a new place to have someone in the same position. It makes off-the-pitch stuff a little bit easier because you don't know too many people.
“We both wanted to come here and make a positive impact and both of us have been lucky enough to do that in our first starts.
“Each of them was a very important time in the game.
“It's brilliant to come in straight away and help the team out, not just through our play but by making a difference on paper as well and helping the team to win games.”
