AFC Bournemouth
Philip Billing returns to the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday a very different player to the one that departed in 2019.
The 25-year-old has blossomed since moving into an attacking midfield role prior to this season, scoring nine goals and assisting six in all competitions, earning an international call-up by Denmark this month.
Speaking to BBC Radio Solent ahead of this weekend’s fixture, he was asked which attribute he’s improved on the most this season, answering: “Running!
“They put the stats up after every game and every single game this season, Dom [Solanke] and I have been running 12 kilometres a game.
“I knew I always had that but the way we play here, the high pressing, it suits me and I like it.
“I knew I was always naturally fit but I’ve always been more of a ball player, I enjoy having the ball so working hard without the ball, I knew I could do it but I used to go forward and wait for the ball.
“But this season, like I said, me and Dom are up there. Jaidon [Anthony], [Ryan] Christie, everybody – the way we’ve pressed has been enjoyable. Jaidon is the same, unbelievably high!
“You have to mix it up as well, it’s not all about running, you have to be clever about it – you can run for 50 minutes, all out, and I’m sure some people would like to see it but in the last minutes, or whatever is left, you’ll go dead.
“That’s the thing about the Championship, you have games Saturday and Tuesday, mentally it’s hard, physically it’s even harder because there’s so many games but it’s going to be worth it.”
Billing is available for selection by Scott Parker this weekend, having missed the Cherries' recent fixtures with Derby County and Reading through suspension, and is looking forward to being back at his former club.
The Copenhagen-born midfielder moved to Huddersfield on a youth contract in 2013, eventually breaking through to the first team and making 91 appearances before joining the Cherries.
A three-time winner of the Terrier’s Young Player of the Year award, Billing netted on his return to his former home last season, scoring the first goal in a 2-1 victory.
He remarked: “It's always nice to go back. Last season I was looking forward to it as well, obviously it was a different scenario with no supporters but now the fans are back which should be nice.
“It's a big game but for me, it’s any other game. There’s a lot around the club that every game is the same, we’re going in to win the game and any games are not bigger than others.
“We need three points and with 11 games left, we need to give everything we have in these 11 games, Huddersfield is another game and hopefully we can put it right.”
