Chris Powell can’t wait for Huddersfield Town’s return to action at home to Blackpool on Saturday, but warned: “Ignore the league table.”
The manager is keen to build on his side’s run of seven points from three games before the international break.
The bookies have 18th-placed Town clear favourites against the Championship’s second-bottom side, who have former Town skipper Peter Clarke pushing for a return to action after illness..
But Powell, who saw the Tangerines pick up their first win of a troubled season at the expense of Cardiff City in their last outing, won’t tolerate any complacency.
Blackpool had just eight contracted players at one point during the build-up to the campaign, and lost their first five league games.
“We all know what has been going on there, so their start to the season was no real surprise,” said Powell.
“But they have picked up, and even before they beat Cardiff, performances were improving.
“They have brought in some good players. You look at the likes of Ishmael Miller and Nathan Delfouneso, who really know this level.
“Then you have Francois Zoko, who has stepped up after being excellent in League I, and internationals like Sergei Zenjov (Estonia) and Jose Cubero (Costa Rica).
“I don’t look at their league position, just their last few games, and we have to be ready for another testing game.
“History shows that if you aren’t fully prepared, you will get hurt, and we will certainly be prepared to put in the hard yards.”
