‘He has come back with the bit between his teeth’
TOWN BOSS IMPRESSED BY ATTITUDE AND QUALITY OF YOUNG DEFENDER
TOWN and their Championship rivals seem certain to adopt a much more circumspect approach to the summer transfer window – whenever that might be.
EFL clubs have been stretched to the limit by the COVID-19 lockdown and there seems little chance of any financial relief in the near future, with supporters unable to pack into the grounds.
It could well mean a very flat summer window, with clubs keeping a very tight hold on the purse strings, but that in turn could mean opportunities for players who would otherwise be left on the fringes.
One such player in the Town squad is right-back Demeaco Duhaney.
And it is fascinating that manager Danny Cowley should have name checked the 21-year-old right back when asked about young players who have impressed since training resumed at PPG Canalside.
Speaking to The Examiner ahead of the Wigan Athletic match, Cowley said: “It’s been great to have a lot of younger players around us and training.
“For us as a football club, we know the importance of the Academy and bringing through young players and we’ve been able to give a number of debuts to a lot of young players this year. It’s always our ambition to keep working with the younger players and give them opportunities where and when possible – and they have done well.
“We’ve been impressed with a lot of them physically.
“Demeaco Duhaney has done really well. He has come back with the bit between his teeth. He’s got some real athleticism and a real technical quality, and he’s done well.”
That’s high praise from the boss.
Still only 21, Duhaney is pacy and strong and is itching to get his chance – not just in the final nine matches of the campaign but next season as well. Premier League winner Danny Simpson, of course, has been brought in as firstchoice rightback this season and has helped Town stabilise things at the back.
Simpson is out of contract in the summer, however, and should he move on then the right-back slot will be open and Duhaney one of the front runners to possibly step in.
If that’s how it works out, then the Manchester City product will be more than happy to step up for boss Danny Cowley, who has the option to extend his contract for next term.
“There are nine games to go this season and I want as many minutes as possible to be honest, and to try and help the team,” said Duhaney, who had a loan at Boston in the National League North earlier in the season before being recalled and playing in the home game against Leeds United.
“The loan was a good experience and I’ve had a few niggles since I’ve been back, but I am now 100 per cent and I’ve been working on my fitness and my sharpness in training. “Looking forward, a lot can change because of the situation we have been through.
“I’ve been training and working even harder to focus now on gaining minutes this season, to show myself for next season and hopefully try and nail down the starting position.”
Duhaney came through the youth ranks at Manchester City to earn a place on the bench under Pep Guardiola in both the Premier League and the Champions League.
He now feels he needs a regular run of senior matches to prove he has the ability to forge a strong career, and he is grateful to two Dannys – Cowley and
People will see me get
better with more chances, a run of games
would be helpful
Simpson – for helping him along to this point.
“I have enjoyed it massively working under Danny Cowley,” he explained.
“He is very supportive of all the young players and, not only that, he knows how to work with them and how to push them. With me, from the very beginning when he came in, he told me he likes how I play and that I’m his type of full-back both defensively and attacking.
“I’m also enjoying having Danny Simpson around to learn from.
“He has had a great career. He is more defensive than I am, so I like to look at him in training and just learn what type of things he does.”
One major factor in Duhaney’s favour is that he suits the manager’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation to a tee.
“It definitely suits me, because of the two 6s,” he said.
“When one can drop down into a false full-back position, I can bomb on and get where I want to be, almost as an extra outlet for the winger and higher up the pitch.”
So what’s next on the agenda? “A run of games would be great and would do me well,” he answered.
“People will see me get better with more chances and a run of games would help build my confidence. When the chances come, you have to take them, but I am looking forward to it.”