Simpson brings X Factor ‘times 10’ says Cowley
DANNY Cowley reckons Danny Simpson’s contribution to Town has been ‘10 times more’ than anyone recognises.
The 32-year-old defender was brought in just a month ago as a free-agent and has brought a touch of class to Cowley’s back line.
Town haven’t lost in the former Premier League winner’s six matches in the starting line-up – and they have conceded only four goals in those games.
Cowley had no hesitation in handing the ex-Leicester City right back a sixth start against Barnsley, even though he is still working towards full fitness.
“Danny has been a really consistent, reliable performer,” said Cowley, whose team has now climbed out of the Championship relegation zone.
“He is incredibly experienced and has a fantastic game understanding – he has played a million games of football and knows his position inside out.
“It’s a sign of really good players, too, that they make the players around them better – and Danny has done that.”
Cowley added: “Danny is fantastic in a one-versus-one situation, he’s good at defending the back post and a good marker from set pieces.
“He has really good distribution for us as well and he’s added an awful lot.
“What you have all seen on the pitch, you can times that by 10 in what he has added off the pitch – and for us, with this group, that was very important.” Cowley believes every player in the squad respects what Simpson has achieved and that the young players are especially keen to learn from him as they bid to become established in the Terriers’ set-up. “Danny has won a Premier League, so he naturally comes in with a real presence,” explained the boss.
“He has a confidence behind that presence and I think one thing which has impressed me so much is his ability – if he makes a mistake, he holds up his hands and accepts responsibility.
“He is always the first in the video room to say ‘I could have done better there’ and you often find players with genuine confidence are able to do that.
“Sometimes players who don’t have the confidence are not self aware enough or keen enough to highlight when they’ve made a mistake. When you see players like Danny who can do that, you see a real air of confidence in that moment.”
So is he 100 per cent fit after a month of work?
“He is certainly working towards full fitness, having come in on the back of nothing and played three games in a week,” he said.
“The trouble is the rest of the boys are now thinking they don’t need to do a pre-season!
“We didn’t expect Danny to come straight in and play three games straight up, but once he started playing we didn’t want to leave him out.
“It’s been a case since then of managing him and building up his fitness, but he is getting fitter by the day.
“He is a very important player for us and a very important person.”
He is incredibly experienced and has a game understanding