Frankie Bunn has urged Huddersfield Town to bounce back from their Under 21 Premier League Cup disappointment by making the Professional Development League II playoffs for the fourth season running – as Northern champions.
Town suffered semi-final shoot-out heartbreak against Hull City at the John Smith’s Stadium, where it was 0-0 after extra time, just hours after Sheffield United knocked them off the PDL II summit by beating Bolton Wanderers 2-0.
But the young Blades, who lead the way on goal difference, have played three games more than Town, who still have eight to go, the first of those fixtures away to Charlton Athletic on Monday afternoon.
Coach Bunn, whose charges have tasted defeat just twice in their last 23 games in all competitions, said: “It’s about dealing with disappointment, and the players have to roll their sleeves up and be ready for Monday.
“We have eight league matches left and it’s not given we’re going to win it. Sheffield United are on a great run and Hull are up there as well. We have three games in hand, but we still have to get the points from them.”
On the cup clash, Bunn added: “I thought we were poor in the first half of normal time, and still lucky to be in the game. We didn’t produce what we have done for most of the season.
“But the way they responded in the second half was testament to them.
“We have had the positive side of penalty shoot-outs (Town beat Charlton that way in the quarter-finals), now we have tasted the negative.
“Congratulations to Hull on reaching the final (against West Ham United or Liverpool). I thought they set up well against us and were well organised.”
Bunn said the second-half introduction of Rekeil Pyke helped his side get on top, explaining: “His power and pace helped us get down the sides and open them up a bit more, but unfortunately we couldn’t convert any of the crosses.”
The tie was seen by 927 and Bunn said: “It was a magnificent turn-out and helped make the game a proper semi-final occasion. I’d like to thank the supporters for making it a great atmosphere.”
<p/>
