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Digby: The Gaffer's Been Brilliant
Friday, 29th Apr 2016 06:00

Paul Digby has heaped praise on Mick McCarthy after the Town boss handed him his full league debut in last week’s goalless stalemate at automatic promotion contenders Middlesbrough.

The 21-year-old’s display at the heart of the defence had a lot to do with Town holding Boro to a draw — a result that cost them their chance to go two points clear at the top of the table with just two games left to play.

Digby, on loan from Barnsley where he has a year left on his contract but expected to complete a permanent free move in the summer, said: “The gaffer’s been brilliant and he’s been working really hard with me, putting a lot of time and effort in, especially when I’ve not been playing week in, week out.

“Both him and TC have been brilliant with me, just pushing me extra hard in training and also after training. They were keeping my standards high so that when I did come into a game like Middlesbrough away I would be ready and prepared for it.

“I found out on the Friday that I would be playing. Bez [Christophe Berra] was struggling with his knee. The gaffer pulled me to one side and said I would be starting, and I was delighted.

“I had been dying to start but obviously Tommy and Bez had been playing really well and keeping a lot of clean sheets along with Bart, Chambo and Jonas.

“It’s been good watching them because I can learn from them — that’s what I was trying to do because TC is always on to me to keep learning and keep watching. I was prepared as best I could have been for going into the game.

“I wasn’t really nervous. I was completely fine to be honest. I don’t really get nervous before games. I just focus on my own game and do my best for the team — that’s all I can do really.”

Digby was also full of praise for his colleagues, adding: “They were different class. It helped being at centre-half alongside Tommy because he’s a top guy.

“Chambo, the skipper, as well. He just talks you through any game so I think we had a really good connection on the pitch. We were all helping each other out and we stuck at it and got through it.

“I thought I did well. It wasn’t a game in which to do anything too pretty. I just concentrated on winning my headers and tackles, plus all the scruffy bits. I’m learning by watching Championship football week in and week out that you’ve got to do that.

“Sometimes coming away with a 0-0 from a team like Middlesbrough is a good thing and I was delighted with my debut.

“It has whetted my appetite for more, 100 per cent. Playing in front of a crowd like that — 30,000, big stadium and coming away with a good result — gives you a huge boost and you just want to get back out there as soon as possible.”

Digby also explained the situation back at Barnsley that resulted in him joining Town, adding: “The manager brought players in around the time that I went on trial to Manchester United almost a year ago and maybe he thought I would be leaving to sign for them.

“Some managers have visions for their team and sometimes you don’t get into that and that’s fine. It doesn’t mean you are a bad player — you just go somewhere else and show another manager that you are right for his team.”


Photo: Action Images



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sidtheswan added 06:07 - Apr 29
Only seen him play against Pompey so can't really comment but if he's a ball playing right footed centre half then will be a good addition as sorely lacking at the moment .
5

Marcus added 06:19 - Apr 29
It sounds like he's improved during his time with Town. It's not just how someone performs but their potential as well. It's the same when doing job interviews - do you only look at those who have experience or those with the right mentality and ambition? Sometimes the less experienced candidate is the better choice.
1

Dissboyitfc added 06:44 - Apr 29
Havent seen him play so cant comment on him, but if he's a right footed ball playing CB, then ideal.

Hope MM doesnt try and play him as a striker, lol.
1

algarvefan added 07:40 - Apr 29
Good Luck son, right attitude and a good sounding prospect, sign him up Town.
5

ipswichdave added 08:26 - Apr 29
I wouldn't spend more than £50k on him, how many centre backs to we want.
1

HarryS_H added 08:30 - Apr 29
It would be nice to see him have a run in the team with Tommy, because an ex midfield player at cb could be what we're crying out for.

Fingers crossed we can definitely sign him in the summer but he seems to have his heart set here and has enjoyed/thrived working with everyone here so good news all round!
2

cornishnick added 08:43 - Apr 29
If he's not careful, he's going to get his tongue stuck. Anyone would think he's after a contract.
0

Currie10 added 08:48 - Apr 29
Well Ipswich Dave we may have three out on loan but if any of them are going to be used next season is anyones guess.
1

iaintaylorx added 09:19 - Apr 29
MICK OUT!
0

righty added 09:32 - Apr 29
Someone got to praise McCarthy all I can say is McCarthy OUT
0

BlueMachines added 09:40 - Apr 29
“I had been dying to start but obviously Tommy and Bez had been playing really well and keeping a lot of clean sheets along with Bart, Chambo and Jonas"

Have we really kept that many clean sheets Paul? 15 out of 44.
1

ArnieM added 10:36 - Apr 29
............................Bart...........................

..........Clarke. .....Digby.......Smith........

Emmanual.............................................Knudsen
1

Lightningboy added 11:38 - Apr 29
As average a season as Berra's had I personally still think he's a very decent defender not helped by Chambers continually being played out of position/exploited at right back.

I'm going to be tearing my hair out if Mick doesn't sort out a proper right back during the summer.

Digby looks like a decent squad player.
1

RaymondovicBlue added 12:29 - Apr 29
I think that Smith has been better this year that Berra - AND especially when we consider that Berra has been IN position and Smith on the "wrong side"

I didn't see the Middlesborough game - but from the video highlights they threw a lot of attacks at our back four which stood firm (sorry - back 5 ... Bart has been brilliant!)
So - if Smith and Digby stood strong at the centre of that game - then they offer us hope for the future.

That said - if Berra comes back better next year he will play beside Smith ... with Chambo and Jonas at FB

Not what I''d choose, but it IS what we will get with Mick -

It is SURELY the midfield that we have lacked this year - both defensively and certainly in attack ... the back four has not been our worst feature.... and we cannot really judge the strikers when they've not had good consistent ball to feet from the midfield !
1

12th_Man added 12:54 - Apr 29
Done well on Saturday v Boro be good back up next season
1

Rowski added 13:18 - Apr 29
Hi, new to the TWTD community. I think using what we already have would be the wisest way to go at the back, and I think Digby is showing very promising signs. It's the most realistic option also as we are unlikely to spend money and if we do it shouldn't be invested in the defence, quality wingers is what we lack. Anyway I would like to see us start with the below defensive lineup for the next couple of games and test its effectiveness.

............................Bart...........................

..........Foley .....Digby.......Smith (C)........Knudsen

Also like the idea of using Digby in a role similar to Dier where he drops into a back three and allows the fullbacks to bomb forward in support:

............................Bart...........................

..........Chambers(C)..............Smith........

......Foley...............Digby.................Knudsen

With Clarke returning and Digby on board showing potential I'd let Berra go, great defender but I think we try to accommodate him too much. I also think we could get approx. £4million for him off a promoted team. That then leaves us far more balanced and able to bring through players like Emmanuel, Digby, Clarke and Kenlock:

............................Bart/Gerken...........................

Foley/Emmanuel...Chambers(C)/Digby...Smith(vc)/Clarke...Knudsen/Kenlock

1

Elto added 13:37 - Apr 29
Rowski

Interesting post. I'd be a little surprised if we could get £4 million for Berra.

I prefer Arnie M's line up, not sure Foley is going to 'bomb forward' at this stage of his career.
2

carsey added 13:41 - Apr 29
I may be a little cynical but surely he would say that, wouldn't he?
1

Seasider added 17:17 - Apr 29
Looks like another favorite in the making here,expect that is because he comes from Yorkshire,Gods own county,and Micks.

I really feel sorry for Piotr Malarcyzyk who has far more pedigree than this young man,and yet like many players who have passed through McCarthys hands,he isn't given a chance.Expect the Pole will be given the' foxtrot oscar'like Jonny Parr and so many others in the last 4 years.
0

Seasider added 17:22 - Apr 29
despite the above though thinks looks a decent prospect
0

Rowski added 17:57 - Apr 29
Elto a few years ago I would have said £4million was excessive but with the new TV money in the Prem 4 million quid is nothing for a decent defender with Prem experience. Even if we go £2.5-3million it's a transfer worth making to allow money to be reinvested further up the field.
0


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