Debutant Spencer on his Town debut at Preston
20 year-old striker Jimmy Spencer’s debut performance was one of the positives to come from Town’s 2-0 Capital One Cup defeat at Preston North End on Monday – and he’s hoping he did enough to catch the eye.
The Academy graduate was handed his Town debut by Simon Grayson after two seasons out on loan in npower League 2 and he explained that those spells away were always designed to benefit his prospects with the Terriers.
“My loan spells away were always with this day in mind. I always wanted to come back here – I really wanted to give it a go last season and see what happened, but it was necessary for me to go back out on loan. I did well last season and now I’ve got my chance.
“I’m grateful that the manager has given me the chance to show everyone what I can do tonight – hopefully I caught his eye. To get the reception I did from the Town fans when I came off means everything as well; I’ve waited a long time for this as I’ve been at the Club since eight years old.”
Despite his personal delight at playing, Spencer admitted that the team has to improve ahead of Friday night’s Championship opener at Cardiff City.
“I think all the lads are disappointed – we know that as a team and individually it wasn’t good enough. We need to work on things – in particular we need to be brighter in the first half an hour of the game. We can’t lay the blame though – we’ll just keep working hard and it will come.”
Town improved during the second half and Spencer explained that his partnership with Lee Novak was enjoyable.
“We went to 4-4-2 and we got more of the ball, and used it better. It worked for me personally too, as I felt I played better having Lee Novak in and around me when the ball arrived.
“I don’t mind playing up front alone – I like playing either. It is hard when things aren’t going for you and you’re up there alone with two centre halves on your back, but you just have to deal with that and get through it.”
Town have to bounce back quickly, with the tough prospect of a trip to Cardiff City on Friday night looming.
“We’re raring to go at Cardiff now and perhaps we needed this kick up the backside. We know we didn’t play our best tonight and we really have to focus ahead of the Championship. Cardiff are a good Championship side and the game will show what level we are at.”
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