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Esajas eyes derby start
DUTCH football is known for flair but Wednesday winger Etienne Esajas knows that a derby means a battle - and he will be up for it as much as anyone at Hillsborough next Sunday.
The former Vitesse Arnhem flier has tasted victory in front of a 30,000 full house against regional rivals NEC Nijmegen in his homeland.
"In a derby you need to make tackles; you need to be quicker then everybody else; it is a battle, not pretty football," he says.
"We beat NEC. Winning a game like that is the best feeling ever, for the fans as well - it just shows that you are the best. It is the same in England."
Esajas, who has started most of the Owls' matches this season, yearns to keep his place for the clash with United, though he knows he faces competition from Jermaine Johnson and Wade Small.
It would be making up for lost time as he missed both of last season's derbies through injury.
"The atmosphere was great last season; you want to play your part on the pitch; I hope to play a part this time," he said.
"I had a good start to the season, with no injuries - that's the main thing.
"I've got a few goals (four) and that was a good feeling. I would like more goals.
"Last season was my first here and it was a like a learning season. Now I want to grow in English football and I am learning more every day."
He relishes the challenge of holding down a place.
"Jermaine Johnson is a good player and so is Wade Small, who has come back from injury," he said.
"You need to do your best; if you don't, then somebody else will take your place.
"We have lots of players coming up as well, Rocky Lekaj is a good player. When they get a chance they're going to try to take it."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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