Gary O’Neil
INTERIM head coach Gary O’Neil praised the “fantastic” displays of Philip Billing during his time in charge so far, insisting the Dane has given “absolutely everything at every moment”. Asked what the 26-year-old had been like to coach in recent weeks,’
Gary O’Neil said: “He’s been great. I think you’ve seen he’s extremely talented. He’s a good lad. I judge him on what I’ve asked him to give the last three games and what he’s given. What he’s given is absolutely everything at every moment, so much so that at the end of some games I look at him and think ‘you’ve given everything, we need to get you off’. But he’s been fantastic for me. I’m looking forward to seeing more of the same on Saturday.”
Despite his hot streak last campaign, Parker returned Billing to a deeper role at the beginning of this campaign, but O’Neil has since moved him further forwards after taking over as head coach. Asked if he feels that is where he sees Billing contributing most at Cherries,
Gary O’Neil explained: “I think he can do many roles for us. I think he’ll go through spells like he is at the minute where playing higher up will look like it’s a good idea. But also if I played him as a number eight, I expect him to be as good at that as he is playing as a 10. I think he’s technically talented, has physical attributes. I think he’s really important for us, whether that’s as an eight or as a 10, whatever it is. He’s a big part of what we do.”
