Mark previews Tuesday’s Cup clash with Forest
Huddersfield Town Caretaker Manager Mark Lillis says the squad is ‘up for the fight’ when Championship leaders Nottingham Forest visit the John Smith’s Stadium for a Capital One Cup tie on Tuesday evening.
After the win at Reading and great performance with ten men during Saturday’s draw with Charlton, there was a buzz around PPG Canalside at training today, as Mark explained:
“There’s been a good mood in the camp today. We’ve got a good belief within the group now, which is exactly what we want as we’re using all the players. In all the games I’ve been in charge I’ve used all three subs and the players have bought into that group mentality brilliantly.
“Any Manager wants to look to their bench and look for players who can give you a spark. We really had that on Saturday.
“We’ve played a lot of minutes at the start of this season, but as a player you are buzzing when you’re playing games and getting good results.”
Another positive from Saturday was the return of the Club’s top goalscorer from the last two seasons, James Vaughan, as a second-half sub.
Mark continued: “It’s a fantastic boost for everyone that he’s back on the pitch. He was unlucky not to get a penalty on Saturday, which I think he would have taken and scored, but it was great to see him back.
“We have to keep the reins on ‘Vaughany’ and manage his workload carefully, because we need him playing regularly. I’ve said this to James and he understands, although it’s difficult for him because he’s raring to go.”
It’s another boost for the Terriers that defender Murray Wallace’s one match suspension has been overturned after he received a harsh red card on Saturday.
“It’s a massive decision for us and credit must go to the staff behind the scenes for putting the appeal together. On first viewing I thought it was wrong and they’ve overturned the decision quickly, which is ideal as we prepare for Tuesday’s big game against Nottingham Forest.”
Set to take Caretaker charge of the team once again on Tuesday night, Lillis is looking forward to the test of taking on the Championship’s embryonic pace-setters.
“It will be a good challenge against Forest, because they’re top of the Championship. They have good players with lots of experience and I’m sure they’ll be targeting promotion to the Premier League this year.
“Stuart Pearce is a leader and I can’t imagine him taking any game easy; he’ll put a side out that is tough to beat. They’ve got to the top of the League and he’ll want to keep that momentum going.
“We’re up for the fight as well. It’s great that we’re at home – we’re looking forward to the game.”
Lillis has first-hand experience of what can come of a good Cup run from his days as a player in the mid-eighties:
“I remember playing for Manchester City and everyone devaluing the Full Members Cup, but we ended up playing in front of almost 70,000 against Chelsea in the Wembley final.
“The Capital One Cup is a great competition and I don’t think teams take it lightly. It’s an important competition for Huddersfield Town, because you never know who is round the corner if you progress.”
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