HUDDERSFIELD Town boss Mark Robins wants his team to savour the prospect of taking on the ‘pass masters’ of Brighton tomorrow and be confident in their own ability to compete.
Robins has steadied the ship with four points from two matches after successive maulings by Wigan (in the FA Cup) and Nottingham Forest – and he’s demanding the squad don’t let things slip on the club’s first ever visit to the Amex Stadium.
“We’ve had two clean sheets in the last two games and that’s a big positive for me,” said Robins.
“There’s still a long way to go and a lot of work to do, because it’s not brilliant to watch at the moment, but the players are giving everything they’ve got.
“I think the supporters can see that and appreciate that and it’s our job to drive that on and make sure we pick up points in every game possible.
“The next two, against Brighton and Middlesbrough (at home on Tuesday) are very tough and they’ve got good players, but you can say that about clubs up and down the country in the Championship.
“That’s why the results are the way they are – anybody can beat anybody else.”
Sixth-placed Brighton have won four of their last five matches and boss Gus Poyet is keen to build on a record of 18 points from the last nine.
Their likely line-up includes only one player – Adam El-Abd – who was in the squad which won League I only two years ago, although a second, Gary Dicker, started last week.
Will Buckley – who has not scored since his double at the John Smith’s Stadium – has recovered from a virus which ruled him out against Burnley last week and is available.
Influential defensive midfield player Liam Bridcutt completes a two-game ban (10 bookings) while midfielder Andrew Crofts is also out (hamstring) and striker Will Hoskins was recently ruled out for the rest of season (knee).
Skipper and centre-back Gordon Greer has recovered from a hamstring injury and got the last few minutes at home to Burnley last week.
Poyet missed Chelsea’s FA Cup win at Middlesbrough to study Town’s performance at Turf Moor and reckons he’s got tomorrow’s opponents sussed.
“When a team changes manager things change so you need to really pay attention to the changes,” said Poyet.
“I’ve been watching the opposition a little bit more than usual, especially the games when he (Robins) has been in charge, to see the difference.
“I think I’ve got quite a good idea of how they are going to play.
“They won at Burnley on Tuesday which is important for them.
“The good thing here is there are no secrets. I’m not expecting anything different.”
Poyet added: “It will be competitive. They will be a difficult team to beat.
“They are physical and they are fighting for points. That’s natural.
“It depends how good we are and how we can cope with their strengths.
“We need to play better than we did against Burnley for long periods, but think about the result as well. It would be fantastic for us to win the game somehow.”
Third-bottom Wolves will be hoping to give their own survival hopes a push against Watford at home tonight.
