DEFENDER Paul Dixon says he’s delighted to see Oscar Gobern back in the Huddersfield Town frame as they prepare for a first visit to Burnley in 12 years.
Gobern – who ruptured ankle ligaments in the opening fixture of the season at Preston in the Capital One Cup – went on as a sub in the heavy defeat at Nottingham Forest before making his first Championship start of the campaign in Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Ipswich.
“It was great to see Ozzy (Gobern) back,” said Dixon, who was himself restored to the left-back berth by manager Mark Robins.
“He’s been out for such a long time, but we helped keep his spirits up. You’ve got to as Ozzy’s part of the team.
“Just because someone’s injured it doesn’t mean they’re not part of the team any more. And if you keep a positive attitude you get fit quicker.”
Dixon says Town have two targets as they get ready for the short trip to Turf Moor tomorrow (7.45).
The Scotland international is desperate for Town to replicate the clean sheet they chalked against Ipswich and, just as importantly, take some of the chances they are creating.
Dixon thinks the team are going in the right direction and explained: “I’m pleased for Alex (Smithies) and the rest of the back four after the week we’ve had that we were able to keep a clean sheet.
Click on the link below to view a picture gallery from Saturday's game against Ipswich
“We now need to replicate it against Burnley.”
On the attacking side, Dixon added: “The manager told us the first half was better (against Ipswich).
“We passed the ball from the back to the front more quickly and that’s what he wants.
“Perhaps in the second half we did go long, but that’s because we were trying to get the winner. And on another day we’d have taken some of those chances.
“That’s the positive. We’re getting in the right places and making chances. If we work hard enough in training, hopefully we’ll take those chances at Burnley.”
On his own form, the signing from Dundee United said: “It’s very pleasing to be back. I’ve been out for a while, but it shows the level of competition here.
“We’ve had Calum Woods, who’s naturally right-footed, playing at left-back and he’s been doing a fantastic job.
“I normally leave it to others to judge how I’ve been playing, but in the two games I’ve been in, Leicester and Ipswich, I’d like to think I’ve done well.
“It’s a clean slate for everyone under the new manager. He’s said that because he doesn’t really know us and the team selection will be driven by us.
“That’s great for the players because you know that if you’re playing well he’s likely to pick you. You’ve just to get your head down and work hard.”
