HUDDERSFIELD Town are setting sights on rekindling their ruthless professional edge when they visit Charlton on Saturday.
That’s the verdict of experienced midfielder Keith Southern, who accepts Simon Grayson’s side slipped below their normal standards in the 2-1 Championship defeat by Brighton last Saturday.
The former Blackpool favourite says there’s a positive attitude on the training ground despite Saturday’s home loss.
“The Championship is a league where you are going to have defeats because everybody is capable of beating any other rival,” said Southern.
“The key is when you’ve suffered a defeat to make sure you bounce back.
“That is what we are focusing on at the moment and when we go to Charlton, we know we need to be better than we were against Brighton, first half especially.
“If we set out our stall from the first minute, like we usually do, then we’ll see where it takes us.”
Grayson was forced to make two changes against Brighton because of hamstring injuries to Jermaine Beckford and Sean Scannell and is monitoring the pair closely.
James Vaughan is also set to try out his damaged thigh in training with a view to making a possible return
“Brighton are a good side and we never got to grips with their system or formation in the first 20 minutes, which cost us,” added Southern.
“We are not going to win every game because of the type of league we are in, and we have to accept that. But we were just disappointed we didn’t follow up on the win we had at Barnsley with another performance – we felt it was a missed opportunity, even though Brighton are a good side.”
Southern has been very happy with his form generally, and that of the team, but held up his hands over Brighton’s second goal.
“I gave the ball away on the halfway line, then Joel (Lynch) slipped, but I lost possession so I take full responsibility,” he explained. “I tried a little turn on the halfway line and their lad got a foot in, so fair play to him. It was a long way from goal and he took it really well, so I’m not going to beat myself up too much about it but I am disappointed, obviously.”
Injured Jimmy Spencer will not be returning to Brentford on loan.
