DEFENSIVE duo Nathan Clarke and Efe Sodje were central to Town's plans for a clean sheet against Bournemouth at Dean Court today (3.00).
While manager Peter Jackson was giving no clues to his formation against the Cherries, he accepts Town must keep it tight at the back if they are to build on Boxing Day's win against Port Vale.
Centre-backs Clarke and Sodje were together in a 4-4-2 formation in that match, while Bournemouth manager Sean O'Driscoll is wary of Town flooding midfield as they did when he watched them beat Swindon earlier this month.
Jackson, who added Akpo Sodje and Anthony Lloyd to his travelling party yesterday, commented:
"We are always dangerous on the counter away from home, but the vital thing is that we defend properly.
"Nathan Clarke was outstanding against Vale and I also thought Efe Sodje had a good game, and it's important they are strong at the back for us again.
"This is the start of our hardest spell of the season with Bournemouth and Hull away and Bristol City at home - all teams at the top end of the table - but we need to put more points on the board.
"To beat Vale was a real confidence booster, though, especially with two really well-worked goals and, while we have probably played better this season and lost, it was great to get a win under our belts."
Jackson has defensive options with Lloyd and David Mirfin pressing for places, while he has a decision to make on retaining John McAliskey or playing 16-goal leading marksman Pawel Abbott as a lone frontman.
"I was pleased with Macca, because he gave us that aerial presence we've been missing while Andy Booth's been out," said Jackson.
"I can't praise the lads highly enough as a whole, though, for their effort and commitment and we just need to produce our best football for longer in matches.
"Someone soon is going to get a real hiding off us, but I would expect us to come under pressure for spells in these away games and how we handle that pressure will determine how many points we pick up.
"I'm confident we can do well."
Dean Court chief O'Driscoll, whose side travelled to Colchester on Boxing Day only for the game to be called off at lunchtime, has warned his players to expect a tough game.
"I watched Huddersfield beat Swindon a few weeks ago and they were excellent," he said.
"They played a unique system with almost six men in midfield and one up front, so it will be interesting to see what they do against us.
"We may have to tweak our own preparations in case they come with the same formation, because it could cause us a lot of problems."
O'Driscoll, whose side have won four out of six, has five fit strikers available.
