Elite Development Team Coach on final day defeat
- Danny Schofield’s verdict on 4-1 loss to Millwall
- Town’s EDT Coach on experience of taking the First Team
- Watch Danny’s full interview on #HTTV
Huddersfield Town’s Elite Development Coach Danny Schofield insists the Terriers will learn from a 4-1 defeat to Millwall on the final day of the 2019/20 Sky Bet Championship season.
Town’s EDT Coach stepped in to take charge of the First Team for the season finale, in a game that saw the Terriers’ Championship safety confirmed despite the result.
Karlan Grant’s 19th goal of the season shortly before half-time had drawn Town level at 1-1 before three second half goals ensured the points would stay in South East London.
Danny looked back on the game when speaking to #HTTV post-match, at The Den.
“The timing of the goal in the first half and then us getting back in the game, (we were) creating some good chances,” he said.
“Going in at 1-1 we were really positive. I think the second goal was really tough, conceding from a set-play and the timing we did was quite difficult on us.
“Then it was a mistake for the third goal that put us on the back foot, and we were pretty much against it from there.
“But we have to take positives from it; Academy players getting on, positive first half. We’ll live and learn from this.”
Danny also gave an insight into the Terriers’ game plan for the encounter in the capital.
It included giving opportunities to some of the Young Terriers, both from the start and from the bench, with Danny most notably rewarding Micah Obiero and Scott High with their professional debuts.
“The idea was for us to remain really compact out of possession and force them to play into a certain area where we’d press really aggressively.
“I think a clear focus for us was to get Academy players on the pitch. I think, going forward, we’re a club who are going to really push the young players and develop them, so it was really positive to have them on the pitch at the end.”
“Being exposed to First Team Championship football is a massive level, a massive standard. I think they can only improve from that experience and learn.
“We’ll analyse their performances, feed back to them, and hopefully they can develop and grow.”
With Town’s season brought to a close following the full-time whistle at The Den, Danny looked back on a huge effort to keep the Club in the division over the last few months.
He says the Terriers will go away and reflect on the campaign and look to come back stronger ahead of the start of next season.
“The lads will rest and recover over a short period.
“It has been a long, tough season. I think the West Brom game was a massive effort to keep the Club in the Championship and I think everyone will reflect on this and look forward to next season.”
Town’s EDT Coach also took a moment to reflect on the experience of taking charge of the Terriers for the final game of the season.
Having represented the Club as a player and in the Academy as a Coach, Wednesday evening’s game was another memorable moment to add to his Huddersfield Town collection.
“It was a whirlwind and a massive honour for me for one game to fill in and get the Club to the end of the season.
“Having played at the Club for eight years and having played at Millwall as well, I think when I reflect on it, it’ll be quite emotional.
“It was quite business-like, rushing around and preparing everything over the last few days, but I appreciate the people who asked me to take the game and it’s something I’ll never forget.”
Watch Danny’s full interview below on #HTTV!
