Young Terriers return to action on Saturday 8 July 2023
- Huddersfield Town B Team play Harrogate Town on Saturday
- Friendly played behind-closed-doors
- B Team Coach George Danaher spoke ahead of the fixture
B Team Coach George Danaher spoke ahead of the first pre-season friendly of the 2023/24 season for our B Team, as we face Harrogate Town behind-closed-doors on Saturday 8 July 2023.
The Young Terriers play Harrogate Town's First Team in their first pre-season friendly ahead of the upcoming campaign, with the noon kick-off taking place behind-closed-doors.
George Danaher, B Team Coach, spoke to us about the importance of pre-season:
“I think this is a really important stage of the season.
“It’s nice for the boys to get a break, but it wasn’t a normal off-season as we got the players in for a couple of weeks in the summer just to make sure that they were still keeping a high level of fitness and now we’ve come back in leading into pre-season.
“It’s important that the lads switch their minds back onto their individual goals and where they want to get to within the season.
“Pre-season is a good opportunity for the B Team players to play up against men’s First Teams like we are tomorrow against Harrogate Town, if they might require a loan within the league.
“Also, we’ve got lads within the Academy who are training with the First Team, looking to push into that squad.”
George then touched on the motivation within the Academy after this season’s squad numbers were revealed.
“It’s massive for us as an Academy to produce players that are ready and able to impact the First Team and perform with the First Team.
“As you’ve seen the younger players have been given squad numbers this year, it really motivates the players and the staff to ensure that we continue push and show we are developing younger players into First Team players who can achieve great things.”
Speaking on his role in the Academy, George said:
“I’m going to continue working with the B Team this year, obviously Worthy (Jon Worthington) will continue to lead the group with me alongside assisting.
“Last year I worked predominantly with the Under-19s, so I know a lot of the players who have moved into the B Team.
“Personally, my role is ensuring that I’m developing the players individually and making sure that they get what they need and that they are on track with their goals.”
Finally, Danaher spoke about tomorrow’s behind-closed-doors game against Harrogate Town.
“I think first and foremost we want to see the lads, regardless of any technical and tactical actions, give a good showing in terms of the Terrier Spirit – that is the reactive pressure, the recovery runs, and the willingness to compete and win every game.
“Within pre-season games you’re going to get players making mistakes, technically, which is fine, but we spoke to the players and want to ensure that their mentality is right going into the game."
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