Robins assesses goalless stalemate at Blackburn
Huddersfield Town Manager Mark Robins was happy with the point his team secured during today’s 0-0 draw at Blackburn Rovers.
“I think that was a great point, but I don’t think it was the best of games; it was a little bit dour,” Mark told htafc.com post-match.
“We managed to grow into it, because we put ourselves a little bit on the back foot during the first-half. Despite that I don’t think there was a great deal in the game; I don’t think they created too many clear-cut chances. They were allowed to put a few too many crosses in, but we dealt with the ball that came into the middle pretty well; if it wasn’t the centre halves, it was Alex (Smithies).
“We knew their threat was from the wide areas, but I thought we nullified Todd Kane for the most part today; Paul Dixon did a good job in that sense. He also did a decent job when running with the ball into the final third, but his final ball into the area wasn’t as brilliant as I would have liked it to be. He still did well; he worked his socks off and did what was asked of him.
“Likewise on the other side with Jazz Richards; I thought he grew into the game. He looks a bit rusty and I think he could show a little more adventure going down the right, but he was up against a lightening quick player in Josh King today, who we kept fairly quiet.”
Robins switched the formation on several occasions to try and improve the team’s performance and the Terriers were much better on the ball during the second-half.
Mark continued: “When we got on the ball at the back we didn’t move well enough to get on it in the middle of the park. That meant it went a little bit longer and we left James Vaughan isolated.
“When we made the changes, things started to liven up for us a little bit and we grew into it. Those changes were needed – and worked. When we kept possession of the ball, they dropped deeper and that will generally happen to the opposition. However, when the ball did go forward I don’t think we worked hard enough to retain possession high up the field, which made it difficult for us to create too many chances.
“We still got some decent possession in and around the box, but we failed to take one of the chances on offer. I thought we were a little unlucky after getting into some good situations; on one such occasion Paul Dixon, with a bit more calmness, could have slid the ball across to James Vaughan and we would have had a goal.
“Even though we were a little disjointed with the passing, we still tried to pass it. We didn’t go anywhere with it, but we still looked more likely to score a goal.
“However, it was limited at both ends; either side could have nicked it, but a draw was a fair result. I’m delighted to come away from home and get a clean sheet and a point, especially as we lost here last year. In a game like that, I’ll take the point and moved on. We can learn from this performance and get better.”
Mark also praised the sizeable travelling support at Ewood Park:
“Our fans understand the game and they will know when people are trying. They have been brilliant and really got behind the team.”
Next up for Town is Tuesday night’s Capital One Cup game at Premier League Hull City and with a Championship game at home to Blackpool following just three days later, Mark admitted he is considering changes:
“Hull will be an interesting game, because we have a game on Friday too. That means there might be an opportunity for other players to play at Hull. I’ll be looking for those players to come in, give us a really good 90 minutes and look to help us progress in the competition. I’d really like to go through, so I have to get the balance right between Tuesday night and Friday.”
Mark also confirmed that Jazz Richards is eligible to play for Town at Hull City on Tuesday night.
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