Sun Sep 08, 2024 3:05 pm
Derby Manager: “ Nat Phillips “
Derby's Nat Phillips is set for a reunion with his former loan club next weekend, with his new boss revealing why he signed the centre-back.
Phillips joined the Pride Park outfit on loan for the season, despite Cardiff promising to bring him back again to Cardiff.
The 27-year-old has trained with the Rams and is now set to make his bow against his old employers. Paul Warne, the Derby boss, believes he'll be an asset at both ends of the pitch.
Paul Warne:
"Liverpool were a brilliant help with us regarding Nat," he said. "I spoke to him at length. We wanted another centre-back and a lot of work went into it and Liverpool agreed to loan him out us for the season.”
"We had three, Cash (Eiran Cashin) was out and Sonny Bradley had a tweak and then you're panicking. You can't go to January with three centre-backs.”
"I just feel that Nat brings a lot of calm on the ball which, at times, we need. He is a very good defender obviously. He will be a threat from set-pieces and that's what my centre-backs need to be.
"That's what I said to him. 'You can play, there will be loads of defending for you and you won't be unemployed, guaranteed. We will get you to score goals and you don't know where that will take you next summer'.”
"I think he brings a bit of calm and he will enable me to play three when I want to with two up top. That is what I will do.“