Defender previews trip to the DW
Paul Dixon is looking at Huddersfield Town’s 4,000th Football League fixture as a game like any other as he looks to continue his run in the team.
Town face a Wigan side that have won just once in its last five games, but three of its four victories this season have come on home soil and Dixon knows that the DW Stadium is a difficult place to go to.
“It’s going to be a tough game, but in the Championship every game’s tough. We’re looking forward to it after a great win against Leeds, which we needed after a tough spell. We are looking to build on the performance first and foremost; hopefully the win comes with that.”
Dixon is looking to make his sixth appearance of the season in Town’s trip across the Pennines, with the squad in a confident mood after last week’s derby victory over Leeds.
“The performance was excellent. After going behind so early, we showed character to come back and then take the lead. They got the equaliser but we carried on trying for the win and there was positivity in the team, so hopefully we can keep it going.”
The Latics faced Town on their road to winning the FA Cup last season in Mark Robins’ first game in charge, running out 4-1 winners. Robins has been in charge for nine months now and Dixon believes there is now a different feel around the Club.
“Last year if we conceded two goals, we would go on and concede three, four and on a couple of occasions we conceded five, so the character is different.
“I think the experience of last season in the Championship has taught us to keep fighting. We have to keep going to the final whistle and so far this season we’ve done that.
“They have still got some quality players. When they came to us in the FA Cup they beat us quite convincingly, but hopefully we can turn the tables and get the three points we need.”
The 26 year-old put in a Man of the Match performance on his Scotland debut against the Czech Republic in 2010, but at the moment his thoughts are just on putting in good performances for Town.
“I’m not going to get picked for Scotland if I’m not getting picked for Huddersfield. I have to cement my place in the team and hopefully I can keep going.
“A lapse in concentration in the first game is the only thing I’ve been upset about from a personal point of view, but I feel I’ve played well whenever I’ve got the chance. I just need to make sure I play well to make the manager pick me.
With Robins opting for a 3-5-2 formation on occasions this year, Dixon has often found himself playing slightly further up the field.
“I’ve not played wing back many times in my career before this season, probably just a handful of occasions, but I’ve enjoyed it and it’s helped me see that side of the game a bit more. It’s been interesting and it keeps everyone on their toes and performing.”
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