Knudsen: Last Few Weeks Have Been Brilliant for Us
Friday, 17th Feb 2017 06:00

Jonas Knudsen has confirmed that a morale-boosting unbeaten run of three games sees Town going into Saturday’s home clash with promotion hopefuls Leeds high on confidence.

A home draw against Reading, a win at Aston Villa and another draw at second-placed Brighton in midweek has reaped five points from a possible nine, a healthy return in the circumstances.

Knudsen, 24, said: “It has been brilliant. People were saying it was going to be a very tough month — and I thought the same — but it just goes to show that you can never really predict what is going to happen. We have picked up some really good results and the last few weeks have been brilliant for us.

“With a little bit of luck we would have picked up even more points. But to take five from the last three games and not get beaten has been great for us. Maybe we were a little bit unfortunate not to win at Brighton on Tuesday but it was a tough game that could have gone either way.

“In the end we got a good point and we were happy with that. Yes, we had chances and perhaps could have won the game but Brighton probably thought the same. We took four points from away games at Aston Villa and Brighton, and we have to be pleased with that.

“It was a very physical game at Brighton and to be honest I don’t think the referee had his best game. There were a lot of yellow cards.

“Chambo was very brave to get through the game after he was hurt scoring our goal and although he has a cracked rib we all hope he will be okay to play against Leeds.

“He is very important to us and he has been brilliant in the three-at-the-back system. I know Chambo well and when he stayed down after heading into the net I knew he must really be injured. He’s a tough guy and doesn’t go down without a reason.

“There has been consistency in the last three performances, which is what every team needs, and if we can take that into next season — and still keep going in what is left of this season — it will be good. We have looked very strong and played with a lot of confidence.”

Overall it has still been a disappointing season for Town, but there is no doubt that players and supporters alike have been lifted by three much-improved displays that augurs well for the remainder of the season.

Knudsen looked back on the current campaign and reflected: “There have been a lot of games where we were thinking afterwards that we should have taken more from them.

“There have also been occasions, like Wolves away and both Norwich and Aston Villa at home, when we have been unlucky with some refereeing decisions.

“It has been frustrating but our level of performance has also dipped and that has also cost us points.

“We have picked up recently and we have also seen how good a squad we have because we have suffered a lot of injuries and managed to keep going. We all stick together to do the job and the new guys who have come in have been brilliant.”

Photo: TWTD

Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.

Page:
1

runaround added 07:17 - Feb 17 Obviously the refereeing decisions he mentions against Wolves & Norwich were the disallowed goals but what was the one against Villa at home? All I remember from that game was nothing happened for 90 minutes then we battered them in injury time without scoring
2

osborne added 07:26 - Feb 17 Great to read this and sense the positivity running through the squad. Come on The Town. Turn Leeds over in front of the faithful tomorrow. COYB!!!
4

TimmyH added 08:33 - Feb 17

Let's not get to carried away Jonas after all we're still in the bottom half of the table (just) but the last few games and the additions of Diag, Huws etc have come as a nice surprise so far. Should be interesting to see how we get on against Leeds without Lawrence and Diag in the starting 11.

Also in regards to the supposed 'unlucky' games I think you'll find it works the other way as well, think the Derby game, Rotherham at home, Wigan away etc...

Len_Brennan added 09:02 - Feb 17

With Berra & Tommy Smith available again, it will be interesting to see what back line Mick goes with. The three centre back system seems to suit Knudsen & I think most people on here would prefer Kenlock over him at left full or left wing back.
While I think all 3 are more than decent centre backs at this level, I was concerned by the lack of pace when Chambers, Taylor & Berra were picked to start a couple of weeks ago. I guess having Webster to come back on the right or middle will make a difference (if he's not sold) next season, but Tommy is not exactly Usain Bolt either, so maybe Knudsen does have a future on the left side of a 3.
Emmanuel, Webster, Chambers, Smith & Kenlock doesn't sound like a bad way to start next season, with Spence, Taylor and Knudsen in the squad to challenge. I'm assuming Berra at least will be gone.
If we can hold on to Diagouraga in midfield & with Bart in goal, it really would provide a solid defensive platform to allow for a more free flowing attack minded style of football than we have seen for the last few years.
The penny finally seems to have dropped, much like attendance figures had, for the management team & board. We can't expect to sign Lawrence of course, but a few quid on Huws and a rejuvenated Bishop or would provide the kind of energy and creativeness that forwards thrive on. We may not be a million miles away from being competitive just yet.