Town’s Head Coach looks ahead to our evening home game
- Watch Carlos Corberán’s pre-Barnsley press conference
- Town’s Head Coach gives an update on injuries
- Corberán fully focused on ‘high challenge’ of Barnsley
Huddersfield Town Head Coach Carlos Corberán spoke with the media on Thursday afternoon ahead of Friday evening’s Sky Bet Championship game at home to Barnsley.
Carlos started by giving an injury update on Sorba Thomas, who was withdrawn at half-time of Monday’s win at Middlesbrough with a knee injury.
“We need to wait. This afternoon (Thursday) he is visiting a knee specialist. As soon as he is finished there, we will have better information and know the impact of the injury.
“It’s clear he will not be involved tomorrow, but we need more information to say how long we are going to miss him.”
Danny Ward and Levi Colwill also missed the game at the Riverside and Carlos confirmed they will not be involved against the Tykes, whilst there is also a question mark over Josh Koroma.
“The situation today is the same as the situation before Middlesbrough.
“Josh Koroma is a player with a little bit of doubt. We need to see how he reacts after today’s training to know if he can be involved tomorrow. It’s not an important injury, but he was feeling something in the hamstring. If he reacts positively (to training) he will be involved, but not if he doesn’t react well.”
On the plus side, the Head Coach was happy with the impact of several players who came into the side at Boro.
He continued: “Pipa is now in a moment that makes me think he can play two games in a row – a feeling that neither the player nor I had before. The fact that he played the last 90 minutes increases his possibilities to help the team. That’s something very important.
“Middlesbrough wasn’t only the best game of Pipa. Rhodes was another of the crucial players. He has natural ability, of course, because he has made many goals in his career with different coaches.
“We saw many players show they can help the team a lot, and to have the greatest number of players available – and in a good moment – is crucial.”
Although many pundits are now pencilling Town into the Play-Off picture, Carlos will have no talk of that – the only focus is on performing against the Tykes on Friday night.
“I’m not thinking about anything other than competing tomorrow. To think about any situation that isn’t guaranteed doesn’t make sense. The only thing that makes sense is focusing on which players can compete tomorrow.
“All the players who will be available will have our full confidence to compete really well.
“Tomorrow’s game is the most important one, and we will play with the most competitive team possible.
“It is a special game. We’re playing against one opponent that has a need to win the game. It is a Yorkshire derby too, and in these games the table is not the most important thing.
“Also, in the last games they were playing, they were able to draw with Fulham – the best team in the Championship – draw with Stoke City, which is another very good team, and draw with Swansea. They also beat Middlesbrough, and we know how tough a game with Middlesbrough is.
“How they perform with good teams should only create the highest level of respect for tomorrow’s game.
“Another reason is that, if they want, Barnsley can play tomorrow with the same players who made the Play-Offs last year.
“Sometimes, results do not reflect what happened on the pitch. The other day (against Peterborough), Barnsley started the game well and had a chance very similar to the one Sinani scored against Peterborough. Ours went in, and theirs hit the post. Then they had a very good chance from a corner; Tom Lees scored one against Peterborough, and they headed the ball out. Sometimes football is about small details.
“I cannot talk about Play-Offs, because that hasn’t happened. I’ve watched Barnsley’s games and I know it will be a very complicated game for us – one that demands a lot in defending and attacking levels if we want to take something positive. Our full determination is to achieve that tomorrow.”
Watch Carlos’ full press conference below, courtesy of HTTV!
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