PITBULL’S BITING BACK
HUDDERSFIELD defender Terence Kongolo insists his inner “pitbull” will not be locked away despite recent criticism. Kongolo (right), who signed on loan from Monaco in January, was lucky not to be given his marching orders during last week’s clash with Manchester United after crashing into Scott McTominay inside the penalty area. Defeat at Old Trafford saw the Terriers slip into the relegation zone for the first time this season following a run of eight league matches without a win. But Kongolo has shaken off those who hit out at his physical style and will be looking for further battles when Bournemouth visit the John Smith’s Stadium tomorrow. “I think that they are all Manchester United fans if they are complaining,” he said. “I don’t care if it get a positive or negative reaction. I wanted to go for the ball – not kill him! The referee didn’t whistle, so it must have been okay. Sometimes I’m like a pitbull but I’m also a nice guy.
“I like the pressure, and if there is pressure, I want to do better. Each game I want to win every duel, whoever I am up against.”
Those words will be music to the ears of Huddersfield boss David Wagner, whose side returned to winning ways in their FA Cup replay at Birmingham in midweek.
And the German boss has now called on not just his players but the whole of the West Yorkshire town to stand up and roar their team to Premier League survival.
“We are totally aware this is a massive game for us, but now it’s not only that we have to believe that we have the chance to stay up, now’s the time where together we all have to fight to stay up,” he said.
“This not only means the squad, the dressing room, but everybody at the training ground and at the stadium – supporters, the whole town has to stand up and fight for Premier League survival.
“The whole time we’ve had to look over our shoulder. Now it’s the opposite. We are now the team who can chase.
“I can only see positives out of the fact we are now in the relegation places.
“We are in a corner and when you’re in a corner there’s only one direction and this is the case for us. For us, it’s only one direction – try to collect points and climb the table to survive.”