SPORT THORNY PROBLEM TOWN DUO’S SECOND CHANCE
YORKSHIRE IN TROUBLE IN ROSES CLASH /PAGE 29 CARLOS HAS NO CONCERNS OVER DIAKHABY AND MBENZA
HUDDERSFIELD Town head coach Carlos Corberan insists he will not tolerate players who break his trust but indicated that three former outcasts have shown the right attitude to get themselves back into firstteam contention ahead of the new season.
Adama Diakhaby, Terence Kongolo and Isaac Mbenza were all cut from the firstteam squad by Danny Cowley in December with the then-manager questioning the trio’s commitment.
Cowley explained at the time: “We are looking to create a culture here, I think that’s really, really important. We have values we live and die by. They are non-negotiable.”
All three were sent out on loan in January, with Diakhaby heading to Nottingham Forest, Kongolo going to Fulham and Mbenza joining Amiens.
All three are now back in training at Canalside - albeit Kongolo is recovering from a broken foot.
And while the defender has been linked with a move away this summer, all indications are the club are willing to let bygones be bygones under their new head coach should the trio stay into the new campaign.
Asked whether it truly is a clean slate for the squad, Corberan said: “The only thing I can say is that I want players I trust in the squad. I don’t want any players I don’t trust.
“I was watching all the [Huddersfield] games from last year and from the Premier League too.
“I know that some players when you are watching the TV you have some ideas of them, some feeling, at the same time, when you compare with the people who were working with them. The most important thing is when you start to work with the players you start to have a feeling about which players have the determination to be ready to help the team or not.
“Kongolo, he is in an injury process, but I have started working with Isaac Mbenza and Adama Diakhaby.
“The only thing I feel is both are excited trying to show they can help this club.
“They want to show everyone why they are right for this club. I think the most important thing when you are a coach is how is the mind of the players. If they are ready to support the team, if they are ready to help, if they want to do something important in the club - or if they have their minds out.
“I cannot say that [last part] with Mbenza or Diakhaby. Both players have shown me they have the determination to be here, to win their place here, and to win the heart of the people.”