‘SPY’ SIMPSON CAN GIVE THE TERRIERS BITE
WHEN Huddersfield Town travel to West Brom today, they should know everything they need to about the Baggies. Aside from the thorough preparation sure to have been carried out by manager Danny Cowley and his brother and assistant Nicky, they’ve also had a spy in the opposition camp. On-trial defender Danny Simpson, 32, has been out of contract since leaving Leicester in May and, by an odd quirk of fate, had spent the last fortnight on trial at the Hawthorns. However, Baggies boss Slaven Bilic opted not to sign the former Manchester United trainee on a permanent deal, prompting an invite from new Terriers manager Danny Cowley. The former Lincoln boss is desperate to add experience and personality to a Huddersfield side that haven’t won in 18 matches, and have won just one point in seven Championship games following last year’s relegation from the Premier League. And that is exactly what he values in Simpson, who won the Championship title with Newcastle in 2010 before lifting the Premier League as a Leicester City player in 2016. “Danny has trained with us this week,” said Cowley, whose first game in a charge was last week’s 2-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday. “We’re getting to know him, he’s getting to know us. Obviously there’s a financial element to it, but it’s mainly making sure that it’s right for the group. “He’s clearly a good player, and he’s a boy with vast experience, a fantastic attitude. I do look at his qualities on the pitch but potentially off the pitch is where he would be a good fit. “We know people at Leicester quite well, and the references we’ve had of him as a person have been outstanding. “He played a massive part in that Leicester dressing room, and the amount that he did with the younger players is very impressive. He is a leader of men, and he can definitely add something as a player and a person that we don’t currently have.” If Simpson is keen to sign up at Huddersfield, performances in the opening matches have suggested plenty aren’t quite so committed to the cause. But after two weeks on the training ground, Cowley insists that is not the case. “I’ve not seen that, no,” he added. “I like human beings and I like seeing the best in people. We’re still getting to know them but I’ve found a group of players that I’ve really enjoyed working with. “I think every footballer wants to be successful, but it’s a work in progress. I wish I had a magic wand. I don’t. But we do have hard work and they are willing to do that.”