AFTER two years mainly standing on the outside looking in, Pat Langlois finally feels like a bona fide member of the Jets' arsenal.
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The home-grown former scholarship player has started in midfield in the past two matches and is set to retain his place for the crunch match against Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Sunday.
Before pitched into the starting side against Perth a fortnight ago, Langlois had made four appearances off the bench in the past season and a half for combined playing time of 56 minutes.
"It has been exciting," Langlois said. "Obviously the results have gone as we would have liked but to be a part of it and get good game time is great for me. In the past I have been filling in wherever needed. I was trying to be as versatile as possible, playing right back and centreback as well as in defensive midfield.
"To actually break into the team as a midfielder, which is my favourite position and where I feel I'm best suited, is great.
"This is my third season with the senior group. It does feel like I am finally becoming a squad member. I had been a bit on the outside ... I'm working hard and trying to do my bit for the team."
And Langlois is set to get more opportunities beyond this season.
Jets chief executive Lawrie McKinna revealed to the Newcastle Herald on Wednesday, that he is set to offer the off-contract Langlois a new deal.
"Extending his contract had been discussed before he started against Perth," McKinna said. "He had been doing well coming off the bench and in the pre-season.
"He is just a good kid and you have to reward your own. He has come through the youth system. Angus Thurgate came through the system, so has Noah James and Jack Simmons. The four of them have followed the pathway, which is what you want. Pat has a younger brother, Joe, who is decent as well."
McKinna coached Langlois in the National Youth League and in the Northern NSW National Premier League last season.
"The first game he played for me was at right back. I thought: 'this boy is a machine'," McKinna said. "He is a real athlete and his attitude is outstanding. He is only a young boy but he is a young pro, very dedicated."
Langlois, who grew up playing in the centre of the park, said getting a taste of the A-League at right back and centreback was the perfect grounding.
"To walk straight into midfield is a big ask," Langlois. "To be able to play centreback, you get to view the game from a different perspective. You can see and control the midfielders a bit more. When I step into that position I know what is expected and have had a taste of the pace and the level.
"I'm very grateful to have been given an opportunity. They don't come that often and they don't necessarily come as early as they have for me. I only just turned 20. "
Langlois also benefitted from a full season playing as a six for the Jets youth team in the NNSW NPL last year.
"Because I had been playing right back and centre back, Ernie (Merrick) wanted me to get some game time at six. Get used to the position and getting lots of touches on the ball and dominate.
"It is a very physical league and if you make mistakes you pay for it. In the A-League it is even more critical."
Merrick has been impressed with Langlois' maturity and composure in his two A-League appearances beside Ben Kantarovski at the base of midfield.
He made 73 passes at 88 per cent in the 6-2 hammering to Perth and was again solid in the 1-all draw with Brisbane.
"Pat had the record number of passes the week before, 73 with a great success rate of 88 per cent," Merrick said on Monday. "He was closed down a lot more with the formation the Roar played. In those tight areas, you still have to get the ball and get forward. He erred on the defensive side a little too much but he still did a good job."
Langlois agreed that the next step in his develop is to be more assertive, starting with the clash against Victory.
"A good six will definitely control the game and dominate the midfield," he said. "In my two games, I haven't really done that. I'm looking to expand my game and keep improving. The key is taking as much as I can from each opportunity I get.
"Compared to coming off the bench, where you are just running because you want to have an impact. When you start the game you get to build a rhythm and you feel the flow of the game more.
"Every time I get the ball, I want to keep possession for our team. Giving away easy turnovers kills us. It puts us on the back foot straight away, especially against big teams like Victory. It is so important to keep the ball in the the middle third."
