DG: "Billy was the best man for the job"

Billy has gone above and beyond all our expectations since his first appearance against Derby in October last year, and Dario told IcCheshire that he had no qualms in introducing the England under-19 defender to the first team:

"I think we have coped very well with the injuries considering we have got a 16-year-old centre-half playing in midfield, who has done very well. His passing has been excellent and he has done his job. I asked him to come in, and said: 'I'm stuck.  I  need a player and you are the best man for the job, Billy.' He has proved that."

He also praised the likes of Neil Sorvel, James Robinson, Luke Varney, Paul Edwards and Mike Higdon for deputising for the long-term absentee regulars:

"I think all the players have done reasonably well because we have had injuries to players for a long time. Dave Brammer, who is a real presence on the pitch, has hardly played at all. He and Justin Cochrane were a driving force in midfield. I think Neil Sorvel and Billy Jones, when he has played there, have done well.

"There has been a lot of responsibility on Sorvel in particular to go and get the ball off the back players. We haven't wanted that from Billy, who is not used to playing in midfield and hasn't developed those skills yet."