Huddersfield Town boss Clark: Squad strength is key in JPT

Sep 1 2009 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

“I’ve got a lot of time for Mark, and I think he’s done a terrific job in tough circumstances, given the fact he took over at a time when the side were struggling (they were relegated from League I two months after his appointment) and that they have had to leave Millmoor.”

“He’s built a strong squad there, and having seen them play this season, I think they have a good chance of being successful.”

Like Clark at the Galpharm, Robins carried out a major rebuilding job in the close-season, when he brought in seven players.

Leading the way were strikers Adam Le Fondre, from Rochdale, and Tom Pope, from Crewe, each of whom cost a reported £150,000.

Both have netted three goals so far, the same number as experienced former Oldham midfielder Paul Warne, who joined from Yeovil.

Also providing plenty of experience is Warne’s former Oldham teammate Andy Liddell, the winger who has also played for Barnsley, Wigan and Sheffield United.

Nearby Bramall Lane was the source for two of Robins’ other recruits, keeper Jamie Annerson, who provides back-up for Andy Warrington, and wideman Nicky Law.

And also signed up was the much-travelled midfielder Kevin Ellison, who graduated to league football when Leicester signed him from Altrincham for £50,000 back in 2001, since when he has played for Stockport, Chester (two spells), Hull and Tranmere.

Other key players for Robins, who awaits the results of a scan on an ankle injury suffered by Pope and has ex-MK Dons striker Drewe Broughton out with a broken toe, include skipper and centre-back Ian Sharps, ex-Barnsley right-back Dale Tonge and one-time Tranmere midfielder Danny Harrison, who joined Pope and Le Fondre on the scoresheet at Macclesfield.

Robins, among the names linked with the Barnsley job following Simon Davey’s departure on Saturday, said of the Macc match: “Adam Le Fondre and Tom Pope are settling down nicely.

“The pair of them scored really good strikers’ goals.

“Adam was disappointed to miss the midweek game at West Brom thorough injury but he made amends with an outstanding all-round display.

“They haven’t played much together so it’s good that they’re beginning to form a partnership, and hopefully Tom will get over his ankle problem quickly.”