Alex Smithies says Huddersfield Town are more than happy to be hosting Newcastle United as they tune up for Saturday’s Championship opener against Bournemouth at the John Smith’s Stadium.
It’s a sixth and final public pre-season work-out for Mark Robins’ men, and their first on home territory.
With the big kick-off so close, the manager is likely to rotate his squad for the 7.45 meeting with the Magpies, who are fresh from taking part in the Schalke 04 Cup at the weekend, when they lost 3-1 to Malaga before beating the German host club by the same scoreline.
Town lost 3-1 at Oldham on Saturday, and keeper Smithies says they aim to put on a far slicker show against Alan Pardew’s side, themselves beaten 2-1 by the Latics three weeks ago.
“We were a bit lacklustre against Oldham,” said Smithies, who has featured game about with new arrival Joe Murphy over the last four friendlies.
“I thought that for the first 30 minutes, we were okay. We had a couple of chances which we didn’t convert.
“But we weren’t great for the rest of the game. We needed more urgency and we must be more clinical.”
The match swung on two Oldham goals in three minutes late in the first half.
James Dayton shot home before Liam Kelly converted the rebound after Smithies saved a penalty from Jonson Clarke-Harris, who scored a second-half beauty soon after Nahki Wells pulled one back for Town in the 69th minute.
“Their first was poor from our point of view,” added Smithies. “We weren’t tight enough and let runners go past us.
“I thought the penalty decision was harsh, because Lee Peltier (ruled to have fouled Clarke-Harris), got the ball.
“It was good to save it but very frustrating to see the rebound go in.
“Their third was a bit of a wonder strike, and there’s not much you can do about those.”
The 24-year-old Town academy product added: “It’s important to remember that friendlies are completely different from league games.
“The build-up is different, and you don’t always go into them fresh, like you would for a league game.
“But we still want to put on a show for our fans against Newcastle, and it will be good to test ourselves against Premier League opposition.”
Admission is £15 adults and £10 concessions.
Newcastle will make a check on new Dutch signing Siem de Jong, who has had a foot injury.
