Hunt previews tonight’s Leicester game
Jack Hunt has told htafc.com that the team is still ‘full of confidence’ going into tonight’s game against Leicester City, despite the setback against Watford on Saturday.
Tonight’s opponents arrive in West Yorkshire one place above the Terriers in the npower Championship table and are much-fancied for promotion, but Jack explained that Simon Grayson is targeting three points tonight.
“Leicester are finding a bit of form, but we’re going into the game with confidence. We know that we didn’t play well on Saturday, but we still have a massive amount of confidence from the start we’ve had to this season. We’re aiming for all three points against Leicester.
“Saturday-Tuesday turnarounds do take a lot out of you physically and mentally, because you have to prepare yourself very quickly. It’s good for us that the Leicester game has come so quickly after a poor performance against Watford on Saturday.”
The Foxes have threats all over the pitch, but the Academy graduate was adamant that ‘The Yorkshire Club’ will focus on their own strengths tonight:
“Chris (Markham, Town’s Performance Analyst) does a lot of work on the video side on the opposition, but when we’re at home it’s more about what we do than the other team. We do need to know about them, but if we play to our strengths hopefully it will bring the three points.”
The defeat against Watford was the first genuine setback of what has been a superb start to the Club’s inaugural Championship campaign and Jack admitted that Town’s early experiences of the second tier have perhaps exceeded expectations.
“Maybe a little bit, because the main aim is just to stay in the League. Obviously we still have to do that, but we have started well and we were playing really well before Saturday’s game.
“We had a little setback on Saturday. We wanted to win – especially at home – but unfortunately that didn’t happen and we know that anyone can beat another team in this League.
“You have a bit more time on the ball until you get to the opposition’s half, but then the opponents enforce a really good pressing game – more so than in League 1, when I found teams came right at you high up the pitch. That happens in the Championship too, but in the majority of games so far I’ve had a bit more time on the ball at the back.
“I prefer it. Not only are we going to better grounds and playing against better players, but it suits my style of play. I’m very grateful to have played so many games at this stage in my career.”
Town’s squad is now packed full of quality and Jack believes the recent arrivals of James Vaughan and Jermaine Beckford only supplement the style of play.
“I wouldn’t say we have to play in a different way. We know that ‘Vaughany’ (James Vaughan) and ‘Becks’ (Jermaine Beckford) are great at getting in behind – they have pace to burn and they will sometimes get onto balls that you wouldn’t expect them to. We will look for them over the top if it’s on, but they can both play well with their feet too – we have real versatility.
“I like playing with Adam Clayton too. Everyone knows I like to get forward and he is a natural central midfielder, so he tucks in and that gives me more space to get into. He’s my preferred choice, but I will play with whoever the Manager puts in front of me.”
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