Coaches review Saturday’s game against elite opposition
- Young Terriers won 1-0 at Liverpool with great performance
- George Danaher explains the importance of style of play
- Oran Thompson discusses challenging the young players
Coaches George Danaher and Oran Thompson took charge of the Academy side that came away from Liverpool with a win on Saturday and were pleased with the latest Young Terriers performance against elite opposition.
The young side featured two players from the Under-19s group alongside several 16-year-olds, many of which also featured in the brilliant 5-0 win over Manchester United, and produced yet another fine performance in Kirkby on Saturday.
Dominating the ball for good spells of the 90 minutes, reacting quickly to win the ball back high up the field, showing off their counter-attacking skills to grab a goal in the second half and then hold out to earn that result towards the end, the team came away with a thoroughly deserved result.
Danaher was pleased with many factors, noting how the Young Terriers stuck to their guns and implemented the Club’s style of play to perform against another high calibre opponent.
“The performance was very good. First and foremost I think the opportunity to come and play against some of the country’s top players was excellent, and then to perform like that in the way that we did, replicating what the First Team do out of possession and to get a goal like the one we saw was fantastic.
“In possession it’s similar in every game. We will change the details of how we play, but it will always be energetic - forward runs, always positive, possession, it’s exciting, and that’s what we’re trying to do in the Academy.
“I think the lads showed these qualities today at different points. That’s how they got the goal, and they also created other chances from playing that way.
“It’s important to come to places like Liverpool, where it’s going to be difficult, and stick to that style, and stick to the Huddersfield Town way. That’s important. If our players want to play for the First Team, that’s what they need to be able to play like, so it’s important we stick to our style against any team.”
Thompson also stressed the importance of playing against sides like Liverpool, explaining how it is a good challenge for the players in their development, and how impressed he is with the steps they’ve made over the last couple of months.
“Having been there ourselves as players, it’s always a good challenge and it’s the type of occasion players look forward to, coming to a setup like Liverpool,” he said. “It’s a game that the players look forward to and one that we as the staff relish too, and hopefully there’s more to come.
“The lads have developed well since coming in the building. They’ve been working hard and getting to know the way we play, and they’ve shown that against Liverpool. Going there and playing like that is a great achievement, and it will give them a confidence boost.”
The Young Terriers have another testing fixture coming up on Tuesday, this time away at Blackburn Rovers.
