SKIPPER Peter Clarke says the squad members not in Huddersfield Town’s team right now are playing just as big a part as those who are in the line-up.
The 29-year-old defender – again a rock for Simon Grayson’s side this season – feels those on the fringe of the first XI, including those who don’t always make the matchday 18, often get overlooked.
The game these days, and especially at Championship level, is increasingly about the strength of the squad, rather than any XI who can be fielded at any given point, and in the build-up to the trip to Barnsley the classy No5 is keen to give his support.
“The lads who are not in the team at the minute are probably more important than the lads who are,” said Clarke, an ever-present who has become part of the John Smith’s Stadium fabric.
“The lads not in the team are keeping the standards of the ones who are to a very good level.
“If anyone in the team drops their standards then those who are not starting, or are not involved in the squad, are itching to get in and seize their opportunity.
“Players who, at the minute, are not as involved as they would like to be are vitally important to the group, and they are pushing the standards higher and higher because they are desperate for a place.”
Clarke says the squad – bolstered further by the arrival of Simon Church from Reading – has a depth of strength which augurs well for prospects later in the campaign.
Click on the link below to open a gallery of Simon Church in his first Huddersfield Town training session
“We have got a strong squad and, between the manager and chairman, some very shrewd aqcuisitions have been made,” he said.
“A squad has been developed with good quality in all areas and it’s like the manager says, everyone has to be right at it every day in training and in the matchday environment.
“You have to be on the button each and every time you go out to train or to play because there are lads in the group who are itching to be in there – they are pushing the lads who are in the team all the way.
“It’s a win, win situation in terms of the depth of the squad and the quality of the players within it.”
Boss Grayson, who has brought in striker Church on an initial month’s loan (to December 8), echoes the words of his respected captain who, like the fans, now refers to the club as “Town”.
“It’s been difficult for one or two players over the last few months because they’ve not played too much first-team football,” said Grayson.
“When they are not in the team they have to make sure they are catching the manager’s eye and the coaching staff’s eye.
“Full credit to Anton Robinson, who came on against Bristol City, because he has been working very hard in training every day. He trains like he is playing every match, which is a testament to his attitude and professionalism.
“And there are others who fall into that category, like Scott Arfield, Tom Clarke and Murray Wallace. These lads have not started many games this year and it’s not because they have done anything wrong, it’s just because other players are in front of them at this moment in time.
“I have stressed to all of them, though, that they have to train well because they are only one injury or suspension away from coming into the team. They never know when I’m going to have them on the bench or in the starting XI and when they come on and do well, like Anton did last weekend and Alan Lee and Danny Ward did in midweek, it’s a credit to how they’ve been training.”
