Hazell is nuts about Latics!

ACTION MAN . . . Reuben Hazell gets stuck in for Athletic.

REUBEN Hazell, Athletic’s player-of-the-month award winner for December, wants to stay at Boundary Park for the rest of his career.

The 29-year-old defender, who is out of contract this summer, is ready to pledge his long-term future to the Athletic cause.

Hazell, who joined Athletic early last season, said: “Not since I started out at Aston Villa have I enjoyed being at a club as much as this.

“ I love being about the place. The staff and the players are great, while the training is brilliant, and I feel part of the club. I even have a laugh with the women in the laundry.

“Once you feel comfortable with yourself it makes it easier for you to go out on the field and play, whereas as a youngster you put yourself under pressure as you try to find consistency in your game.”

Hazell has also played for Tranmere, Torquay and Chesterfield in a career which has seen him transferred at two-yearly intervals.

“I am coming to the end of my second season at Oldham and I would be happy to spend the rest of my career here, especially if we can win promotion to the Championship,” said Hazell.

The defender was delighted to pick up the monthly award, particularly as it is usually the forwards who receive such accolades.

“It is nice to be acknowledged that you are doing a good job for the team and I am hoping to continue playing well,” he said.

Hazell, the nephew of Bob Hazell, who represented QPR in the 1982 FA Cup final, believes he is playing the most consistent football of his career.

“As I have got older that is something I have tried to apply to my game,” he said.

“You find with a lot of young players they have one good game and then one bad one, then two good games and one bad one. Removing the bad ones comes with age and experience as you know what is required of you.

“It has reached the stage where I know what I need to do to play well.

“I feel comfortable with my game and happy with the way I am playing.

“When I play week after week, I find my game flows.”

Hazell does not mind whom he partners in the centre of defence. Last season it was Stefan Stam for much of the campaign, while this time it has been Sean Gregan.

Though Stam and Gregan have contrasting styles, Hazell says he has had no difficulty playing alongside either.

“Sean likes to attack the ball while Stefan is not as aggressive, but I think I work well with both of them,” he said.

Hazell admitted he preferred to be a member of a settled defence.

He said: “It is nice to get consistency at the back as you know the strengths and weaknesses of the players around you.

“You also get to learn what the others will do when the ball is in a certain position.

“I know it has changed at times but, for the most part, it has been the back four which is playing at the moment.”

Hazell believes Athletic have a good enough squad not only to keep hold of a play-off spot but also challenge for a top-two automatic promotion place.

“We have just brought in Dean Windass and have a lot of experienced players mixed with good youngsters,” he explained.

Hazell is undeterred by the fact he has scored only twice for Athletic in 69 first-team appearances.

“I only usually score once a season. Obviously I would love another one, but I prefer clean sheets to scoring any day.

“If I can help us keep a clean sheet then we have others in the team who can score goals,” he declared.