Terriers boss says Phil is top of the Bill!
TOWN head coach David Wagner says defender Terence Kongolo is no more than a 50-50 chance to face Brighton tomorrow.
And he also revealed striker Laurent Depoitre will have to overcome a groin niggle to be included against Chris Hughton’s visitors as Town seek back-toback wins for only the third time at Premier League level.
Confirming Mathias ‘Zanka’ Jorgensen will start after his suspension for the 2-0 win at Wolves, and that Chris Lowe (shoulder) is definitely sidelined again, Wagner spoke of the latest injury concerns.
“Unfortunately, Terence Kongolo is a doubt at the minute and we will have to make the final call after training on him,” said Wagner.
“He got the knock in the Wolves game and I would say he is 50-50 at the minute and, from what I heard, maybe a little bit less than 50-50.
“Laurent Depoitre has a groin problem as well and with all the fixtures which are in front of us in December, we have to keep this in our head and we have to be very careful that we only use him if he is totally healthy.
“These are the two players where it is a doubt for Saturday, not a big, major issue but maybe they will miss Saturday.
“Who will miss the game for sure is Chris Lowe.”
Club captain Tommy Smith took the place of ‘Zanka’ at Molineux and could retain his place in a back three central defence if Kongolo misses out.
Alternatively, Wagner could opt for a flat back four – a formation which has worked well against Brighton in the past. PHILIP Billing is incomparable to any other 22-year-old footballer, according to Town head coach David Wagner.
The Denmark U21 international has been in scintillating form so far this season, with Billing receiving more praise for his performance against Wolves last time out.
The head coach complimented Billing’s display at Molineux and Premier League legend Alan Shearer selected the Town star in his team of the week after his defensive heroics and attacking influence in the Black Country. TOWN fans have made one change to the starting XI that performed so well against Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Brighton & Hove Albion.
In a poll on our examinerlive.co.uk website, supporters have recalled Mathias ‘Zanka’ Jorgensen to the
When asked whether he likes his players getting praise from pundits or whether he would prefer them to stay under the radar, the boss replied: “I love it when my players get praise and, in this case with Phil, they are absolutely right.
“And I like it when my players get praise because it means they have played on a very, very high level.
“What Phil has added to his game this season, consistently, since preseason started, is that he has a mindset for the defensive side of the game.
“He has added aggression and found that it’s enjoyable to bring intensity and aggression into your team to face Chris Hughton’s men this weekend after the Dane missed out on last week’s Premier League clash at Molineux due to a suspension.
Town skipper Tommy Smith is sacrificed for the centre-back after stepping in for the 28-year-old in the Black Country last Sunday.
But no other players have been switched out by the Town faithful, with the fans pleased with the game. This is the only thing he has added into his game. Anything else, he had before.
“We have all known, maybe more than him, and now he knows it himself he is enjoying it.
“He has every right to enjoy it and I see, and I feel when I speak with him, that he is so hungry and so greedy to continue this.
“Even in training he looks very, very good, day in day out, and this is the only thing he has added to the qualities he already had.
“He is a player you rarely find in football, with all the skills he possesses, plus now with what he has added into his game.”
He added: “I can name you not one 22-year-old player who is comparable with him. This is the truth.
“Six foot six, left footed, unbelievable shot, quick, vision, technique, long throw-in, endurance and, now, fighting spirit as well.
“So I can’t name you a player but, obviously, I am not a scout. Maybe some scouts are able to do this.”
Billing has featured in every Premier performance and 2-0 victory over Nuno Espirito Santo’s side last time out.
Jonas Lossl retains his spot between the sticks for the supporters, while Zanka joins Christopher Schindler and Terence Kongolo in the heart of Town’s defence.
Erik Durm and Florent Hadergjonaj continue on either flank, with Chris Lowe expected to remain sidelined League match for Town so far this season, scoring his only goal of the campaign in the 1-1 draw against Everton. But Wagner is keen to not put any unnecessary pressure on the 22-year-old, and has tasked him with taking each game as it comes in the top flight and not looking too far into the future. “I don’t think we or he should look too far ahead,” said the boss. “The most important thing for him and for us is to take it game by game. “Brighton, next game, confirm what you have done so far. “Be very humble to know that nothing is for granted, but be confident enough to know that if I bring my best to the grass then I can be a very, very good player. “This is what it is like for Phil Billing, like it is for the whole team. “Phil has dealt with things perfectly so far. We have to make sure it isn’t a case of one week praise and the next week blame. “This makes no sense if you have qualities like he has.”
I can name you not one 22-year-old player who is comparable with him. This is the truth
for at least another week after picking up a shoulder ligament injury in the 1-1 draw with West Ham United.
Jonathan Hogg, Philip Billing and last week’s two-goal hero Aaron Mooy remain the fans’ go-to trio in the centre of midfield.
Alex Pritchard and Steve Mounie, who has scored three goals in two outings against Brighton, are once again paired up front.