SIMON GRAYSON is far more concerned with Huddersfield Town’s performance at Crewe than fresh speculation over the future of star striker Jordan Rhodes.
The manager brushed aside reports linking the 22-year-old goal-getter with Fulham and Blackburn after seeing his side lose 1-0 at Gresty Road.
Grayson, who played £8m-rated Rhodes for the first hour of last night’s game, when Town fell to Adam Dugdale’s 17th-minute goal, said: “Our stance hasn’t changed.
“Everybody knows the level of importance Jordan Rhodes has to this club and everyone knows the value we place on him.
“If anyone is to buy him it is going to cost them a lot of money.
“Of course, this situation is nothing new. Players like Jordan are valuable commodities and there will probably be speculation until the transfer window closes.”
Town had 115 fans in a 1,402 crowd and Grayson admitted “we were disappointing”. He said: “Our ball retention was poor, we didn’t work their goalkeeper enough and we failed to show the movement we have in previous friendlies
“But these are the kind of things you iron out during pre-season and I’ve got an honest bunch of players who will work as hard and for as long as it takes to put things right.”
Grayson added: “It’s not all doom and gloom. There were some lively performances out there and I was particularly pleased with the showing of Keith Southern.
“He showed energy, he tackled well, he got into the opposition penalty box and he could have had a goal.”
Meanwhile, Town were beaten 2-0 in their development friendly against Liverpool at Melwood.
Coach Steve Eyre included Liam Ridehalgh, Murray Wallace, Chris Atkinson and Jimmy Spencer.
A highlights package will be shown on Liverpool’s own tv channel, free to Sky subscribers, at 5.15 and 10.45 tonight.
