Huddersfield’s Brodie Spencer ready for ‘game of the season’ vs Birmingham after playing for FOUR bosses in crazy year
WHATEVER gets thrown at Brodie Spencer during his career this season will take some beating.
The versatile 19-year-old Huddersfield right-back has had one hell of a breakthrough campaign — first on loan at Motherwell and since January back in West Yorkshire.
He has taken on the two Old Firm giants on their own turf, established himself as a Northern Ireland international and tested himself against Manchester City in the FA Cup.
But he has also played for FOUR different managers and Huddersfield are in serious peril of dropping into the third tier for the first time in 12 years.
Spencer is billing today’s crunch clash with Birmingham as a relegation play-off.
The Terriers sit second from bottom on 44 points — three adrift of safety — while their visitors are one place and two points above.
And he told SunSport: “It’s a relegation play-off. It’s the biggest game of the season and everyone knows there must be no other outcome than three points.
I grew up as a Rangers fan so to play in front of a packed-out Ibrox was unbelievable.”
BRODIE SPENDER, Huddersfield Town
“We can’t go into the game too eager. Over 90 minutes, we’ve got to pick the right times and don’t let the occasion get to us.
“And then after this game we’ll have to fight again at Ipswich. We’ve got to keep our foot on the gas until the full-time whistle at Portman Road.”
Spencer began the season by starting Hudderfield’s Carabao Cup tie with Middlesbrough under Neil Warnock, then played under Stuart Kettlewell at Motherwell before returning to the John Smith’s Stadium to work under Darren Moore and Andre Breitenreiter.
He said: “They’ve all been great to work with and their doors have always been open for me, which as a youngster is so important.
“I’ve played a lot of games which at my age has been a great achievement.
“I enjoyed my time in Scotland. It was my first proper taste of being in a first-team environment. You learn to adapt to playing against much smarter and experienced players and feeling the pressure in front of crowds.
“I grew up as a Rangers fan so to play in front of a packed-out Ibrox was unbelievable. Even to go to Parkhead and take a point was great, although it was an intimidating place to play.
“Ibrox was more enjoyable. I loved playing against someone of the calibre of James Tavernier, who has so much experience and bossed the SPL for years.”
Spencer was thrown straight in the deep end when returning from Scotland by playing 90 minutes against Pep Guardiola’s superstars at the Etihad in the FA Cup. Inevitably, City won 5-0 — and enjoyed a staggering EIGHTY-FOUR percent possession.
The left-back said: “It was one of those games that come once a lifetime.
“Even though you figure you’re a good player and near the top, there’s still so much more you must do to reach the next level. Playing against City keeps you on your toes and makes you want to learn more and get better.
“It was the small details that made a difference.
“It’s just the way they pass. The weight of it, how patient they are and how they can just go from a slow-paced pass to picking up speed and the next thing you know they’re in your box.
Even though you figure you’re a good player and near the top, there’s still so much more you must do to reach the next level. Playing against City keeps you on your toes and makes you want to learn more and get better.”
BRODIE SPENCER, Huddersfield Town
“Doku, when he came on, was so explosive, he could go inside and outside. He was a challenge. But Phil Foden was unbelievable. I don’t think he gave the ball away once.”
Spencer last month enjoyed the high of beating Scotland 1-0 at Hampden Park for Northern Ireland and he said: “To produce that performance against a team that have qualified for the Euros was satisfying and shows what we’re capable of.”
Spencer is surprised Huddersfield are in this predicament but concedes the team have not been consistent enough and been punished for switching off at key moments.
And he said: “There are so many good talented players in our squad but the Championship is an unforgiving league.
“We’ve been in winning positions but have given away soft goals. We have had a soft belly and given away cheap goals which have cost us. You don’t get away with making mistakes and switching off for five minutes. You get punished.”