Danny Cowley looks back on Leeds defeat
- Danny Cowley on loss in West Yorkshire Derby
- Town’s Manager insists there’s plenty to take for his side
- Watch the full interview now on #HTTV
Huddersfield Town Manager Danny Cowley insists that there is plenty for his side to take from the 2-0 defeat to Leeds United at Elland Road.
Goals either side of half-time from Luke Ayling and Patrick Bamford condemned Danny’s side to defeat in the West Yorkshire derby.
Ayling’s third minute goal meant that Town were trailing for the large majority of the game. Speaking to #HTTV post-match, Danny gave his thoughts on the timing of the goal and Town’s performance in general.
“Whenever you’re an underdog going into a game, you can’t afford to concede that goal or a goal of that quality,” he said.
“We actually had a good start to the game; a couple of turnovers in their half, played the majority of the game in their half. We got a good response off the back of conceding that goal.
“For 30 minutes, I thought we did really well. We disrupted their rhythm and created some moments ourselves.
“(In the) second half they were relentless in their intensity and they suffocate you. We got penned back for periods, we had to stay in there and stick in there. I thought we did that, we fought till the end and you have to credit the players for that.”
Despite the loss, Town’s Manager insists that there is a lot for particularly his younger players to take from the encounter.
“If you look at our front six that started today, taking Fraizer out of the equation, then five of them are 18, 19, 20, 21, 22.
“There was loads of learning for them to take. They probably haven’t played in a game of that intensity and ferocious nature of the opponents’ defensive system.
“Although we’re disappointed now, we’re determined to learn from today’s experience and come back better.”
A sold-out away end backed Town right through to the final whistle and Danny was disappointed his side couldn’t pay back their loyalty with a result.
“That’s where our disappointment is; we wanted to get a result for them. We know they’ve had a really difficult period supporting this football club and we know how proud they are of their roots and Huddersfield as a town.
“I don’t think we gave them enough to shout about after 30 minutes, but they stayed with us and that means a lot to us.”
Following the defeat, Danny was keen to move onto Town’s next task; the visit of Wigan Athletic to the John Smith’s Stadium next Saturday (14 March), a team that sit just one point behind Town in the Sky Bet Championship table.
“Games like this, while it was really important for us and our supporters, it wasn’t going to define our season.
“We have a big game now this Saturday against Wigan. We’re enjoying our work at the moment; we feel that we’re moving in the right direction.
“We’ll take learning from today, come back stronger from it and look to put a positive performance in at the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday.
You can watch the full interview now on #HTTV.
