Caretaker Manager Mark on tonight’s 2-1 win at Reading
Caretaker Manager Mark Lillis was a proud man after tonight’s 2-1 win at Reading.
Jacob Butterfield and Harry Bunn netted their first goals for the Club at the Madejski Stadium to secure Town’s first points of the 2014/15 Sky Bet Championship campaign and Lillis explained that the tactical plan was executed perfectly by the players.
“We had a game-plan – a flexible 4-5-1 into a 4-3-3. I keep saying that you should put round pegs in round holes and we did that. We knew every player knew their position, so we told them to get on with their own job and then help their teammates.
“This is the Championship and you’re going to play the likes of Reading and Cardiff every week, so you have to be able to handle it. I told the players to have no regrets and to be brave.”
Lillis reserved special praise for a few players, including the two lads coming into the side tonight.
“We looked at Saturday’s game and we didn’t play with a lot of width, so tonight (Sean) Scannell and Harry Bunn came in. Scannell was fantastic, defending well.
“Harry Bunn was unbelievable. I’m sure his inclusion raised a few eyebrows, but we trust him and he knows that role – he learned it at Manchester City.
“I gave Joel (Lynch) the Captain’s armband and it was great to see him heading the ball in amongst the boots tonight. I could have given (the captaincy) to Alex, but his first game of the season didn’t go great so I didn’t want to pile the pressure on him. Tonight Joel’s chest came out and we got a great performance from his Captain.
“We shouldn’t take it away from all the players though – even those that didn’t come on. As a group we’ve had some stick at the start of the season, but there is massive pride in the dressing room.”
Lillis also explained that the chance to get the squad away for a day was a big positive:
“Going away on Monday was good. We got into the players in the hotel. When we announced the team today, I went away and did a bit of work with the subs because we know we’ll need them, whilst both Steves (Thompson and Eyre) worked with the team.”
A former Town Player of the Year, Lillis described his pride at tonight’s performance.
“To come here and do that typifies what I’m about, which is all you can ask for as a Manager. I filled up a little bit after the game, because tonight they performed how I want Huddersfield Town to play. That’s probably one of the best performances I’ve been involved in as a coach or a manager.
“I went over to the fans at the end of the game to thank them for the support they have given us over the last 10 days. It was an emotional moment and they know what I’m all about – I have a good relationship with Town fans.
“I really enjoyed being the Manager of Huddersfield Town tonight! Everyone was willing us to win and we did, which is fantastic. Now we have, we move onto Saturday and a home game – at last!”
