HOPING FOR A MASTER CLASS
Mooy relishing prospect of taking to Wembley stage in Championship final
Wembley will be unbelievable and I am really excited about it. Huddersfield Town’s man from Down Under, Aaron Mooy.
THIS time a year ago, Aaron Mooy was on holiday.
The A-League season had finished a month earlier, Mooy and Melbourne City having reached the semi-finals of the play-offs that decide the title-winners Down Under before bowing out to Adelaide United.
Mooy, along with former Leeds United defender Patrick Kisnorbo and Thomas Sorensen one of three ever-presents for the club in 2015-16, was disappointed not to have signed off with a trophy but, as he enjoyed some wellearned rest, there was a palpable sense of excitement about what lay ahead.
A move to Manchester City, sister club of Melbourne, meant a second go at cracking English football and the Australian felt ready. What he could not imagine, however, from that sun lounger is just what an impact he would make after quickly being loaned to Huddersfield Town.
The 26-year-old has been the standout performer in the Terriers’ unexpected push for the Premier League.
Named by his peers in the PFA Team of the Year, Mooy has been the heartbeat of the side and someone who has made such a big impression that Pep Guardiola has pledged to take a close look at the midfielder in pre-season.
“I couldn’t have imagined this happening when I arrived in England,” said Mooy when speaking to The Yorkshire Post ahead of Monday’s Championship play-off final encounter with Reading. “I had no expectations before arriving, other than wanting to enjoy it and prove myself.
“This time last year the season was over so I was on holiday, getting ready to come over here. I had been told before the end of the season I was coming to England, I had known for a while.
“I was excited about the move. Of course, there is pressure going to a new team because you don’t know what will happen, if you will play or if the fans will like you.”
Any doubts Huddersfield fans may have had about David Wagner’s capture of an unknown Australian who had already had one unsuccessful spell in Britain were quickly swept away.
Against Liverpool in a July friendly that drew more than 21,000 fans to the John Smith’s, Mooy shone. Even this cynical correspondent was moved to write how the loanee would “be a revelation this term” due to his ability “to constantly break up Liverpool’s play and then use the ball intelligently”.
If anything, though, that encouraging bow was only the start for a player whom Town hope can produce one final masterclass of a performance to take the Yorkshire club up to the Premier League.
What makes Mooy’s huge impact over the past year all the more remarkable is that he had already tried and failed to establish himself in this country.
As a 15-year-old, he left Australia in an attempt to fulfil his dream by joining Bolton Wanderers as a scholar. Three years later, however, he was released. A move to St Mirren followed but, again, Mooy failed to make the grade and, at 21, he returned home.
“I have more experience,” he said when asked to explain why things had gone so differently this time around. “When I first went to Scotland, I didn’t have any games under my belt. You are learning as you go along and sometimes players take longer than others to mature.
“I was probably like that. I still felt good technically but I didn’t have the decision-making and game awareness to go with that. The manager here has helped with that. I have improved this season. I play more of a deeper role than I am used to, similar but a bit further back.
“I was more attacking before I came here, now I feel to be much more of an all-round player than when I was in Scotland.”
Huddersfield fans will certainly second that last point, Mooy having matured into one of the most highly-rated performers outside the Premier League. His task now is to help the Terriers cap what has already been a magnificent season with victory on Monday.
“Wembley will be unbelievable and I am really excited about it,” he added. “I haven’t played in a stadium as big as this. My family will all be at the game, which is great.
“They came over for the semifinals on a ticket that didn’t go back until the end of the month, they booked it that way in case we got to the final. Now, they can come along and, hopefully, watch us win.
“Reading like to keep the ball so it should be a good game. A big pitch means lots of running but we are ready for that.
“People ask what our secret is but I am not sure there even is one. It is probably a bit of everything. The fans have been excellent, the coach and his tactics are great. The players have also delivered so it is probably a bit of everything.
“Personally, the season has been great and I have really enjoyed it. When I arrived, I just wanted to play as much as I could and improve, while helping the team. So far, it has been perfect and City have been happy. But we want to finish on a high.”