Nathaniel Mendez-Laing

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing
Personal information
Full name Nathaniel Otis Mendez-Laing[1]
Date of birth (1992-04-15) 15 April 1992[1]
Place of birth Birmingham, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Playing position Winger
Club information
Current team
 Rochdale
Number 11
Youth career
0000–2009 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2012 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 (0)
2010–2011 → Peterborough United (loan) 33 (5)
2011 → Sheffield United (loan) 8 (1)
2012–2015 Peterborough United 51 (4)
2012 → Portsmouth (loan) 8 (0)
2014 → Shrewsbury Town (loan) 6 (0)
2015 → Cambridge United (loan) 11 (1)
2015– Rochdale 16 (2)
National team
2008 England U16 2 (0)
2008 England U17 7 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19:58, 23 January 2016 (UTC).


Nathaniel Otis Mendez-Laing (born 15 April 1992) is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger for League One side Rochdale. Born in Birmingham, England he began his career with Wolverhampton Wanderers, making his professional debut in 2009, but failed to ever cement a place in the first team. He transferred to Peterborough United in 2012 after loan spells with Sheffield United and Peterborough themselves. Mendez-Laing has also represented England at under 16 and under 17 level, along with having a brief spell on loan at Portsmouth.

Career

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Born in Birmingham, West Midlands, Mendez-Laing is a product of the Wolverhampton Wanderers academy.[1] Having represented England at under-16 and under-17 level, he made his senior début on 25 August 2009 in a League Cup victory over Swindon Town.[2] He subsequently signed his first professional contract with the club in March 2010.[3]

Mendez-Laing joined League One side Peterborough United on loan for the 2010–11 season on 1 July 2010.[4] He made forty appearances in total, scoring five times, during the season as Peterborough made the play-offs, where they won promotion back to the Championship. During the close season it was confirmed that a fee had been agreed to permanently transfer Mendez-Laing to Peterborough, around £250,000.[5] However, the move collapsed when personal terms could not be agreed.[6]

Instead of move back to Peterborough, Mendez-Laing moved on loan to League One side Sheffield United in a deal to run until 3 January 2012,[7] making his début for the Blades a few days later, in the first found of the League Cup against Hartlepool United.[8] He played regularly until picking up an injury at the end of September which sidelined him for a number of weeks.[9] Having returned to his parent club for rehabilitation he then sustained another injury whilst warming up for his first game back at Bramall Lane which was to keep him out for the remainder of his loan spell, thus he returned to the Midlands having made only eleven appearances and scoring one goal in his time at United.[10]

Peterborough United

In July 2012 Mendez-Laing revived his move to former loan club Peterborough United, a deal that he had turned down the previous summer. He signed a three-year contract after the clubs agreed an undisclosed fee, believed to be £100,000.[11][12]

However, his Peterborough debut was delayed following a hamstring injury, which resulted him out between four and six weeks.[13] It took until 15 September 2012 for Mendez-Laing returned from injury and scored his first goal for Peterborough on his debut in a 5–2 away defeat to Burnley. His goal had put Peterborough 2–1 up but a Charlie Austin hat-trick turned the game in Burnley's favour.[14] In November of that year Mendez-Laing was suspended and placed on the transfer list after a public-order offence in Peterborough town centre,[15] with manager Darren Ferguson announcing that Mendez-Laing subsequently had no future at the club.[16]

After returning from his loan spell at Portsmouth, Mendez-Laing made a surprise appearance as a substitute in a 2–1 loss against Nottingham Forest. Soon after, manager Darren Ferguson explain his apparent change of heart regarding Mendez-Laing, saying that he (Ferguson) had now forgiven him, telling the Evening Telegraph: "I don't bear grudges. Mendez-Laing is back at the club and it's now up to me and the coaching staff to get the best out of him as a player. He clearly has ability, but he must also now knuckle down and do all he can to help this team."[17][18] His return saw him earned him more playing time in the first team and scored his second Peterborough United goal, in a 5–1 win over Millwall on 19 February 2013.[19] Mendez-Laing scored his third goal in the last game of the season, in a 3–2 loss against Crystal Palace, resulting Peterborough United relegation.[20]

Ahead of the 2013–14 season, Mendez-Laing switched number shirt from 44 to 19.[21] However, at the start of the season, Mendez-Laing was left out for the first four matches at the start of the season, citing his fitness concern.[22] Mendez-Laing's first appearance of the 2013–14 came on 24 August 2013 where he came on as a substitute for Lee Tomlin in the 74th minutes, in a 5–0 victory against Tranmere Rovers.[23] His fitness concern continued, resulting him on the un-used substitute bench for four matches and during on the sidelined, Mendez-Laing scored a hat-trick for the club's reserve, in a 4–0 win over Thresham College.[24] After this, Mendez-Laing returned to the first team and scored his first league goal of the season, in a 1–0 win over Shrewsbury Town on 19 October 2013.[25] Four weeks later on 9 November 2013, Mendez-Laing scored in the first round of FA Cup, in a 2–0 win over Exeter City.[26] Then on 10 December 2013, in the quarter-final of Football League Trophy, Mendez-Laing scored in a 3–0 win over Newport County.[27] After his loan spell at Shrewsbury Town came to an end, Mendez-Laing returned to the first team and featured for the last three remaining game of the season, including a match against Shrewsbury Town, the team he played during the season, where he provided an assist for Josh McQuoid, who scored in a 4–2 win, resulting Shrewsbury Town's relegation on 26 April 2014.[28]

In the 2014–15 season, Mendez-Laing was expected by Manager Ferguson to learn his mistakes over his fitness.[29] Eventually, he did, which resulted him being started in the first team at the start of the season and provided an assist for Kenny McEvoy, in a 3–2 win over Milton Keynes Dons on 16 August 2014.[30] However, Mendez-Laing suffered a thigh injury that kept him out until October.[31] Mendez-Laing made his first team return on 21 October 2014, coming on as a substitute for Ricardo Santos in the 74th minutes, in a 1–0 loss against Crewe.[32] He continued to be in the first team, mostly coming on as a substitute. By the end of January, Mendez-Laing was told by the club that he can leave the club to get first team regular after he turned down a two loan move.[33]

At the end of the 2014–15 season, Mendez-Laing was released by the club after spending three years there.[34]

Loan Spells

On 15 November 2012, Mendez-Laing signed on a one-month loan for Portsmouth,[16] making his debut, on 17 November 2012, in a 1–0 loss against Doncaster Rovers.[35] After the match, Mendez-Laing spoke about his debut, saying Portsmouth could reap the benefits of reviving his career.[36] After making four appearances, Mendez-Laing's loan spell at Portsmouth was extended until the start of January.[37] After adding five more appearances however, Mendez-Laing returned to Peterborough.[38]

On 30 January 2014, Mendez-Laing was sent out on loan to Shrewsbury Town on a short-term deal.[39] Mendez-Laing made his Shrewsbury Town debut two days later, coming on as a substitute for Bahrudin Atajić in the 59th minutes, in a 1–1 draw against Brentford.[40] His loan spell at Shrewsbury Town was extended for another month despite suffering a slight hamstring injury that kept him out for a week.[41] However, Mendez-Laing suffered another injury, resulting his loan spell with Shrewsbury Town come to an end by the end of March.[42]

On 18 February 2015, he was loaned to League Two side Cambridge United for the remainder of the 2014–15 season.[43] Mendez-Laing made an impact on his Cambridge United debut when he scored his first goal for the club, though Cambridge United lost 6–2 to Portsmouth.[44] Mendez-Laing went on to make twenty-two appearance for the club before returning to his parent club at the end of the season.[45]

Rochdale

On 27 August 2015, Mendez-Laing joined League One side Rochdale on a one-year deal.[46]

Career statistics

As of 10 October 2013[47]
League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
SeasonClubLeagueAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
2009–10 Wolverhampton Wanderers Premier League 0000100010
2010–11 0000000000
2010–11 Peterborough United (loan) League One 335302020405
2011–12 Wolverhampton Wanderers Premier League 0000000000
2011–12 Sheffield United (loan) League One 81001020111
2012–13 Peterborough United Championship 213004000213
2012–13 Portsmouth (loan) League One 8000000080
2013–14 Peterborough United 3000201060
Total739306040929

Personal Life

On 6 February 2014, while at loan at Shrewsbury Town, Mendez-Laing was in court for driving a car without a licence and no insurance, that occurred on 10 July 2013.[48] As a result, Mendez-Laing was fined a total of £900, ordered to pay costs of £70 and a surcharge of £60, as well as, being given eight penalty points on his licence and disqualified from driving for six weeks.[49]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 284. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. ↑ "McCarthy impressed by Mendez-Laing in Wolves début against Swindon". Birmingham Mail. 26 August 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
  3. ↑ "Three Academy scholars to turn professional". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 27 March 2010. Archived from the original on 29 March 2010. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
  4. ↑ "Peterborough United sign Wolves' Mendez-Laing on loan". BBC Sport. 1 July 2010. Retrieved 1 July 2010.
  5. ↑ "Peterborough United's Mendez-Laing bid accepted". BBC Sport. 29 July 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  6. ↑ "Mendez-Laing Posh move off". Sky Sports. 2 August 2011. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
  7. ↑ "Sheffield United sign Nathaniel Mendez-Laing on loan". BBC Sport. 5 August 2011.
  8. ↑ "Blades late penalties steal the show". The Sheffield Star. 10 August 2011. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  9. ↑ "Sheffield Utd forced to send Nathaniel Mendez-Laing back to Wolves". Tribal Football. 10 October 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
  10. ↑ "Further blow for Mendez-Laing". eurosport.yahoo.com. 22 December 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  11. ↑ "Mendez-Laing makes Peterborough United move". BBC Sport. 6 July 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  12. ↑ "Winger Mendez-Laing is first out of the exit at Molineux". Express & Star. 7 July 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  13. ↑ "Mendez-Laing To Miss Start Of Season". Peterborough United F.C. 7 August 2012. Archived from the original on 12 August 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  14. ↑ "Burnley 5–2 Peterborough". BBC Sport. 15 September 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  15. ↑ Moxley, Neil (13 November 2012). "Four suspended Peterborough players ask PFA for help following 'incident' on night out". The Daily Mail. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  16. 1 2 "Nathaniel Mendez-Laing: Portsmouth sign Peterborough winger". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  17. ↑ "Fergie forgives Mendez-Laing". Team Talk. 14 January 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  18. ↑ "Fergie doesn't begrudge Mendez a second chance". Peterborough Today. 14 January 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  19. ↑ "Millwall 1–5 Peterborough United". BBC Sport. 19 February 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  20. ↑ "Championship: Peterborough down after losing 3–2 at Crystal Palace". Sky Sports. 4 May 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  21. ↑ "Squad Numbers Confirmed". Peterborough United F.C. 12 July 2013. Archived from the original on 15 July 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  22. ↑ "Mendez-Laing paying the price for summer fitness issues". Peterborough Today. 8 August 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  23. ↑ "Tranmere Rovers 0 – 5 Peterborough United". BBC Sport. 24 August 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  24. ↑ "Nat's hat-trick teaches students a lesson". Peterborough Today. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  25. ↑ "Peterborough United 1 – 0 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. 19 October 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  26. ↑ "Peterborough United 2 – 0 Exeter City". BBC Sport. 9 November 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  27. ↑ "Newport County 0 – 3 Peterborough United". BBC Sport. 10 December 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  28. ↑ "Shrewsbury Town 2–4 Peterborough United". BBC Sport. 26 April 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  29. ↑ "Peterborough United: Nathaniel Mendez-Laing 'mistakes' in past". BBC Sport. 31 July 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  30. ↑ "Peterborough 3–2 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 16 August 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  31. ↑ "Colchester v Posh: Match Preview". Peterborough United F.C. 29 August 2014. Archived from the original on 15 September 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  32. ↑ "Crewe 1 – 0 Peterborough United". BBC Sport. 21 October 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  33. ↑ "Deadline Day: Bad payers to blame for no Posh signings, but Barnett has finally left". Peterborough Today. 3 February 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  34. ↑ "The Retained List...". Peterborough United F.C. 8 May 2015. Archived from the original on 8 May 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  35. ↑ "Donny down Pompey to make it six defeats on the trot". Portsmouth News. 17 November 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  36. ↑ "Mendez-Laing hoping fresh start can inspire Pompey". Portsmouth News. 19 November 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  37. ↑ "Portsmouth extend Nathaniel Mendez-Laing loan period". BBC Sport. 13 January 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  38. ↑ "All change as five depart Blues". Portsmouth News. 8 January 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  39. ↑ "Town sign Nathaniel Mendez-Laing". Shrewsbury Town FC. 30 January 2014. Archived from the original on 18 February 2015.
  40. ↑ "Shrewsbury Town 1 – 1 Brentford". BBC Sport. 30 January 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  41. ↑ "Nathaniel Mendez-Laing Extended". Shrewsbury Town F.C. 28 February 2014. Archived from the original on 10 August 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  42. ↑ "Mike Jackson hoping for Shrewsbury Town fitness boost". Shropshire Star. 31 March 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  43. ↑ "U's loan Mendez-Laing". Cambridge United. 18 February 2015. Archived from the original on 26 July 2015.
  44. ↑ "Cambridge United 2 – 6 Portsmouth". BBC Sport. 21 February 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  45. ↑ "U'S RETAINED LIST CONFIRMED". Cambridge United F.C. 6 May 2015. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  46. ↑ "Nathaniel Mendez-Laing Signs For Rochdale". Rochdale. 27 August 2015. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  47. ↑ "Nathaniel Mendez-Laing". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  48. ↑ "Posh star waits for fate after driving crimes". Peterborough Today. 6 February 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  49. ↑ "Court: Posh star in road ban after driving crimes". Peterborough Today. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2015.

External links

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