Huddersfield Town's Liverpool FC legend Terry McDermott: Character is key
Nov 16 2010 By Mel Booth
TERRY McDERMOTT reckons tonight’s FA Cup clash with Cambridge United can kick-start another run of Town triumphs.
Lee Clark’s side suffered a first defeat in five when they went down 1-0 in Saturday’s League I derby at Oldham.
And the manager’s right-hand man believes the first-round replay against the Conference side provides the perfect chance to hit back.
After four games on the road, the visit of Martin Ling’s men is the first of three successive home games, with league matches against Exeter (Saturday) and MK Dons (a week tonight) to come.
If Town can beat Cambridge, there will be a further Galpharm game on Saturday week – a round-two clash with Southend or Macclesfield, who replay at Roots Hall tonight.
But McDermott, twice an FA Cup finalist (with Newcastle in 1974 and Liverpool three years later) knows the former Football League side will fancy their chances.
They showed their ability in a goalless draw at the Abbey Stadium 10 days ago, and McDermott pointed out: "They’ll be right up for it.
"It doesn’t matter whether it’s league or cup, no side will lie down, and we have to be ready for a real battle tonight.
"It’s the kind of occasion on which the experienced players have to stand up and be counted, and I’m confident they will do that."
Saturday’s setback at Boundary Park left Town fifth, and the assistant manager continued: "We were all disappointed, because we didn’t play the way we know we can.
"We were off it in the first half, there’s no two ways about it, and while we showed a bit of character in the second, we couldn’t get back into the game.
"It certainly spoiled our weekend, but it’s great to have tonight’s game, because you don’t want to be mulling over things for a whole week.
"It’s a chance to get Saturday out of the system, and with the games against Exeter and MK to come, it’s a big spell for us.
"We’ve had a setback, but we live to fight another day, and we have a huge amount to play for, starting with a place in the second round of the FA Cup.
"After that, there’s the opportunity of picking up six league points and putting ourselves right back in the frame."
