LEES IS LOVING COR SUPPORT

Tom says boss Carlos has fired up his career

Middlesbrough v Huddersfield Tomorrow, 12.30pm

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HUDDERSFIELD defender Tom Lees insists he owes Spanish boss Carlos Corberan a debt of gratitude for resurrecting his career.

The experienced centre-back was a free agent last summer after Sheffield Wednesday decided not to renew his contract.

But the Owls’ loss has been the Terriers’ gain, with the 31-year-old having been a star performer in the club’s push for Premier League promotion.

“One of the big things with Carlos is that he puts so much into making you a better player,” revealed Lees. “He’s constantly bombarding you with information to try to make you better.

“You know he’s spending every minute of every day either watching football, watching training or bringing you video clips which he thinks will benefit you.

“When you’re my age, and you’ve not really had that before in your career, then you really appreciate it.

“It’s been really good to have had that support and it’s been great to have that structure in place to really show what you can do.

“We’re really organised and we know our patterns of play.” Working under Corberan (below) – one of Marcelo Bielsa’s disciples – has been nothing short of a revelation for Lees, even at this late stage in a career which has included spells at Leeds United, Accrington Stanley, Bury and the Owls.

“I think he draws from lots of different elements from lots of different coaches, but Huddersfield Town fans will probably think the style of play is different to last season,” reflected Lees.

“He’s definitely got that Marcelo Bielsa type, but he can also mix it up. It’s not just man-for-man, pressing people all over the pitch, it’s different.

“He’s being a lot more flexible with his style this season.

“I can’t really speak about last season because I wasn’t here, but I know the lads respect him and they told me how good a coach he is.”

Lees and the Terriers are targeting the plays-off at the bare minimum – and after the Easter weekend fixtures they will know a lot more about their Premier League chances.

“I want to have no regrets and do everything I can to get us promoted,” stressed Lees.

“It’s going to be tight, that’s for sure, but as long as you leave it all on the pitch, then that’s all you can do.”