Caretaker manager proud of first win
Mark Lillis praised the performance of his team following their victory over Crystal Palace on Wednesday night – their first three points in 13 games.
“I feel absolutely fantastic,” admitted Lillis. “The players have dug in over the last two games and shown what the Club is all about.
“It was a massive three points for us,” he added. “With the situation that we are in we need to start picking up wins and tonight was a big boost for us. The lads can enjoy tonight and then get back on it tomorrow for a very big game on Saturday against Derby.
“We got the tactics right. We managed to keep the likes of Zaha (Wilfried) very quiet tonight; they are a very good team and will be battling for promotion come the end of the season.”
Both Bristol City and Barnsley closed the gap on the Terriers last night, but Lillis said he was unaware of the situation in the league table heading in to the game.
“I didn’t see the results from last night; my focus is on Huddersfield Town and that is the message that I tried to get across to the players.”
Town’s winner came in the 65th minute from the boot of James Vaughan following good play by Adam Clayton.
“James has been short of confidence of late, but his goal tonight will do him a world of good. It was a brilliant goal, a well worked move before Adam Clayton slipped in James. Lee Novak got one last week so hopefully they have both had a little confidence boost.”
At the other end Town defended manfully and Lillis’ praised his defensive unit: “Alex Smithies has made a couple of saves and Peter Clarke has made a couple of blocks. It wasn’t just about the attacking side of the team today, we defended as a unit; the togetherness was great.”
On the injury front, Lillis delivered some disappointing news regarding striker Jermaine Beckford.
“He has damaged his hamstring, which is a massive blow,” he said. “We don’t know the full extent of the injury yet.”
And on his position, he said: “The win doesn’t strengthen my position; I am the Academy Manager at the Club. It is good that the Chairman has put faith in me Stevie (Eyre) and Frankie (Bunn) and I know that I will be in charge at Derby, but we will take it from there. I don’t get involved in the managerial talk; my job is to keep the dressing room buoyant.”
