Keeper's coaxing is vital spur

Sep 26 2005 By Mel Booth, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

HERO Paul Rachubka revealed a bit of careful coaxing helped keep Town on track among the League I leaders.

The 24-year-old keeper was hailed by manager Peter Jackson for earning a vital point in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Colchester.

Rachubka not only played a crucial role with several top-quality saves, but he helped get his shaky defence in order with some well chosen words from between the sticks.

"Things weren't going right all over the pitch, not just among the defence, so I was doing a bit more shouting than usual," said Rachubka today.

"You have to be careful, though, and strike the right balance between rollicking people and encouraging people and, on Saturday, there was a lot of encouraging to do to try and get them sharp.

"Thankfully it worked and, while it was disappointing to concede from a corner, which the gaffer had warned us about, I thought we did well to get a point which could be vital at the end of the season."

Rachubka felt Town were lucky to be 0-0 at half time and was modest about his own contribution.

"That's what I'm paid for," he said when reminded about brilliant stops from Mark Yeates, Chris Iwelumo and Gareth Williams.

"They had a few chances and didn't go about taking them very well.

"Most of the time this season our defence have played so well that I haven't had many saves to make and that's really pleasing.

"In the end on Saturday, we had a few chances ourselves to pinch the points but they didn't go in and we have to move on positively to these two big home games to come.

"We are in a great position in the League table and, if we can start better against Tranmere tomorrow night, hopefully we can show our fans that we deserve to be where we are."