Simon delighted with another clean sheet
Simon Grayson told htafc.com that he was delighted with the resistance his players showed during their 1-0 victory over Derby.
Town took an early lead through Danny Ward and defended manfully under heavy County pressure to earn their second victory of the season.
“The attitude and work rate of the players was fantastic today,” said a delighted Grayson.
“We were exciting on the ball but also defended very well when we were under heavy pressure. If you don’t show the battling qualities that we did today, then you won’t win football matches. Derby beat Watford last time out and battered Wolves earlier in the season; they are a very good football team but we matched them.”
Simon continued: “The players showed great resistance during the second half. We defended in groups and worked hard to close down the Derby players. For all their possession I don’t think Alex (Smithies) has really made a save.”
New signing Adam Hammill picked up the Man of the Match award on his home debut and Simon was delighted with the show that the winger put on.
“I know what I am getting from him having worked with him before. He showed a desire to come to the football club and we wanted him because he is an exciting player. He can be a massive threat for opposition defences with his running and trickery.
We have worked on that type of move (referring to the goal) in training and Danny has done brilliantly to get on the end of it. It was a brilliant start for us and although we were under pressure for some parts of the game after I thought we controlled it well and killed it off towards the end.
“We have got players who can hit teams on the counter attack. We have got the pace, the energy and the craft to trouble defences. We know that we will have to dig deep in games, but we also know that we can cause problems of our own.”
The Terriers are now eighth in the Championship after five games and Simon believes his players are given their fans more than their money’s worth with their performances to date.
“I want my teams to entertain,” he said. “First and foremost the fans should get their money’s worth when they come and watch this football team. Even if we get beat the players should be working hard and they certainly did that today – they are out on their feet. You have to earn the right to play in this division and also keep you jersey in the team.”
Next up for Town is their first Yorkshire derby of the season at Hillsborough.
“It is an exciting fixture,” Simon told htafc.com. “Sheffield Wednesday is a massive club who like to play football. From my point of view I hope the fixture isn’t as exciting as it was last year at Hillsborough, but we will go there in good spirits. They will be wounded after what happened last night (losing 3-0 to Brighton) but we will go there with confidence and try and get the win.”
