IN training and on matchdays, how much input does Terry Yorath have on tactics and team selection? Mark Dalton, Huddersfield

Jacko says: TAFF is great to have around the place and he's a big part of the happy team we've got at this club.

Terry takes a lot of the training sessions and is very close to the players on a matchday, as fans will have seen.

With his experience and knowledge of the game, he obviously gives me his views on certain matters about personnel and formation, as any coach would do.

When it comes to picking the team and deciding exactly how we go about each match - that is my job as manager.

Taff and myself work extremely well together and Martyn Booty is now helping a lot since he came on board with the coaching staff here.

Boots has been a big help and has also worked well with John Dungworth and the Reserve side.

The spirit among the staff, in fact, is mirrored throughout the club - in the office and in the dressing room - and it's a very happy ship.

When I arrived here before last season, the whole place was at a very low ebb, but we've now got a great atmosphere in the place.

I must mention Taff has a book signing at Just Books, 9 Russell Street, Halifax, tomorrow morning from 10.30 to 11.30.

WHY do you seem hostile towards anybody that makes a point against your tactics, or the way the team or individuals have played? Don't we as paying customers deserve to raise our opinions whether you agree or not? Rob, Shelley

Jacko says: FOOTBALL is all about opinions and fans, having paid their money, have every right to air their views.

Talk can be cheap, though, because far too many people criticise far too early.

It's my job to make sure Huddersfield Town not only do well week by week but progress as a football club overall, and I'm very proud of what we've achieved here over the last year and a half.

Some criticism does hurt me and the players, because we know how much work goes into doing what we do and, after a season of hard graft which led to victory in a play-off final and an encouraging start to this campaign following promotion, some of the things people say really get under the skin.

The players are committed and loyal and that's not just in the 90 minutes the supporters see on a Saturday afternoon, it's every day of the week on the training ground and around the club.

An awful lot of effort goes into making this club a joy for the fans to support - and that's why I take some of the criticism a bit personally.

It's because I care about my players and I care about my club.

I KEEP noticing how well Tom Clarke seems to be doing. What is his progress? Tracy Sanderson, W Yorks

Jacko says: I WOULD not be surprised in the next 12 months to see both Clarke brothers playing in the first team.

Nathan is doing superbly in the senior side at the moment with very consistent form, and Tom is doing well in the Academy and the Reserves.

I get reports all the time from Gerry Murphy, John Dungworth and Martyn Booty about who has played well, and Tom Clarke and Michael Collins always seem to be mentioned.

Hopefully that will continue and I don't think it will be too long before the teamsheet includes both T Clarke and N Clarke to follow in the footsteps of the Sodje brothers, Efe and Akpo, when they were in the same first-team squad earlier this season.

CONSIDERING we have some of the most skilful players in the League, why do we lose to lower teams? Is it bad tactics, lack of motivation or has the Academy bred a skilful but soft side? Andrew Jagger, e-mail

Jacko says: WE are certainly not a soft side.

I couldn't ask more from the lads in terms of determination and effort and they never give up battling, which is why we've had the success that we've had.

I don't think we lack motivation either, or have a bad approach.

As I've said before, we are a bit too inconsistent at the moment and I want to see us cutting out the silly mistakes - not just against lower teams but against everyone in the division.

WHY was Junior Mendes dropped last week? Joanna, e-mail

Jacko says: I looked at the two previous away games and decided we gave the ball away too easily up front and conceded too many goals at the back for my liking.

We needed to be more solid defensively and that's why I left out Junior, to stiffen up in midfield.

I have been a bit disappointed with Junior's form since he came back from the Montserrat trip, too.

He has not looked as sharp, so it was a double-edged sword to leave him out. I don't think anyone can argue with the decision because we kept a clean sheet and came back with a great point.

WILL the slate be wiped clean when Efe Sodje is available again? Jane Smyth, e-mail

Jacko says: OF COURSE, but it's up to Sodje what the outcome will be.

I've been delighted with the form of Yates, Mirfin and Clarke at the back, particularly last weekend at Colchester, so he might have to be patient to wait for a chance.

When that chance comes, it's up to him to take it.

We all know how good a player he is and, if he's consistent, he will be in there and we will be winning. It's as simple as that - it's up to Efe.

HARRY REDKNAPP claims he needs a rest. How much of a risk is burn-out among managers these days? Mick, Dewsbury

Jacko says: IT'S a very stressful job and the latest casualty, of course, is Sammy McIlroy at Stockport, who just hasn't been able to get things going for them this season.

Harry Redknapp has been in management many, many years and he clearly feels, for whatever reason, he must step away at the moment.

I don't think he'll be out of the game for long, but it just shows how management is all highs and lows.

I have had my share in the two spells I've been in charge here and I think it's important you respond in the right way to the lows.

You can never be `down' in front of your players because, if you are, it always affects them.

You've got to be bright and positive and let them know that you are always `up for the fight.'

DO you think there's a role in the game for Directors of Football at clubs? Mick, Dewsbury

Jacko says: NO, I don't.

I can't really think of a situation where it's ever worked and I don't see the need.

The manager is always going to want control, so I don't see what role a Director of Football can have other than to create problems.

At this club, we run extremely well with myself, Andrew Watson as chief executive and Ken Davy as chairman - with the help of a great staff behind the scenes in all areas.

Ken lets us get on with the job and that's how it should be at football clubs. You don't need anyone else.