WE’LL CLINCH IT FOR YOU, DAD
Knockaert in emotional promise to late father
ANTHONY KNOCKAERT vowed to his late dad that Brighton would go up this season.
The French winger, one of three players nominated for Championship Player of the Year, has been in outstanding form despite losing his father Patrick in November.
Now Brighton go into tonight’s game against Birmingham in second place – nine points clear of Huddersfield, who play tomorrow, in third.
Knockaert, who has praised the Seagulls for helping him through the most difficult time of his life, is focused on success.
“It would be for me the best promotion ever,” said the 25-year-old, who won the Championship at Leicester in 2014. “I promised my dad we would do it so I have to do it. I can’t explain how I would feel, it would be unbelievable.
“From a really bad year in my life it can be the best season of my life. If we do it it’s because dad is looking over me.”
Knockaert is not just chasing promotion. He is up against Newcastle’s Dwight Gayle and Leeds striker Chris Wood for the title of best player in the division.
“I’m really proud of that,” he added. “I would love to win it for my family and for what happened with my dad. I know he would be very proud of me if I won this trophy.
“What happened was tough, I’m not going to lie. But it has also made me stronger. Every morning when I wake up I think about my dad and think I need to fight for him.”
Given everything he has been through, Knockaert’s form has been incredible – 13 goals and eight assists already.
But he insists no one at Brighton is taking promotion for granted. Not after drawing at Middlesbrough on the final day of last season when victory would have taken them up.
“That also makes you stronger because it hurt so much to miss promotion when you are so close,” he said.
“But we came back stronger and with an even bigger desire. We are determined to do it.”
Defender Bruno returns tonight and top-scorer Glenn Murray has also been passed fit.