Manager Mark previews Chesterfield
Huddersfield Town Manager Mark Robins has told htafc.com that the week of training in Spain has been ideal – but that nothing can replace the feeling of playing in games!
Town’s First Team squad take on Chesterfield at their Proact Stadium in their first pre-season friendly of the season on Saturday in a 3pm kick-off and Mark is focussed on building up the players’ fitness, as he explained:
“The first pre-season game is all about fitness – we want to get minutes on the pitch into their legs. Obviously it’s important we get through the games with everyone ready to compete on the opening day of the season, but they are a really important part of the preparation.
“The training facility at Spain was brilliant; we’ve been looked after superbly well. The preparation was spot on in terms of fuelling the players and training has been properly done in some pretty gruelling conditions at times – really serious heat. It’s been a really worthwhile exercise with other excellent advantages, as the squad has really got to know each other too. Everyone has come home with an enthusiasm to continue.
“We will play different players in the two 45 minute halves at Chesterfield with it being the first friendly and then we’ll build the minutes up as we go. Everybody needs to get the minutes under their belt and as we go some of the lads will play in the friendlies billed as Under-21 games.
“We’ve got some very decent opposition that will provide us with different tests. We’ll be looking to do well in all of them – and win as well.”
That won’t be straightforward against a Chesterfield side much fancied to succeed in League 2 this season.
“Chesterfield look like they’re having a real go,” Mark continued. “They spent a bit of time in League 1 before spending last season in League 2 and they’ll be looking to get out. They are a decent club that has built a new Stadium and I hope it is a decent turnout.
“We’re looking forward to the game. The lads have done a lot of running, combined with a lot of ball-work, but there is nothing like playing games against different opposition.”
Click HERE for Chesterfield admission info!
