Grayson Relieved With Home Point

Simon Grayson & Lee Clark before kick-off

Huddersfield Town struck in second half stoppage time to deny the visitors, Birmingham City, all three points at The John Smiths Stadium. The game was not one that any Town fan will want to re-watch in a hurry as the terriers looked terrible throughout the game, especially after going a goal behind just before the interval. Huddersfield struggled both on and off the ball and in all honesty didn't deserve to be blessed with an incredible solo goal from Adam Hammill in the dying stages of the game as the terriers added another valuable point to their tally in the Championship.

Smithies Ready To Bounce Back

Alex Smithies was beaten three times in Huddersfield Town's last outing against Peterborough. Now, the young 22 year old goalkeeper is ready to bounce back and show that the terriers can travel to tough away grounds and come away with vital points. Smithies is just one of the handful of players still at Huddersfield Town from the last time they faced Millwall at The Den and he knows all about the hostile nature of the place;

"We're going to have setbacks along the way, but we know we are a far better side than we showed at Peterborough."

"It's all about how you bounce back from a defeat, and we believe we can go to Millwall and put things right. Last time we went there, we had quite a young side and our inexperience showed through, but we're a different proposition now."

"I'll get pelters, but I don't take it personally. The Millwall fans really get behind their side, but our supporters have been fantastic home and away and I know they'll be making some noise as well. I've learned to shut out the background noise and focus on the game, and we're going there well prepared and in good spirits."





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Clayton: 'Onwards & Upwards'

Adam Clayton says the terriers have met their target which was set for them in the first three games and that was to get a win. Huddersfield Town picked up all three points against Burnley on Saturday after an impressive performance saw them come out 2-0 winners. Clayton was interviewed after the match by the official website and this is what he had to say;

"Yeah, we’re buzzing now. Our aim was to get a win in our first three games and now we’ve done it. I think the new lads now know what the Championship is going to bring and that is a good victory to get; Burnley are a very good team who pass it very well and have some good players, so it’s a good result. We’ve played against three very good teams in the League and I think we’ve acquitted ourselves very well, so it’s been good so far. If you can get the first goal in a Championship game, more often than not you will win the game. It was nice to top it off and get the next one to take a bit of pressure off – that was a nice feeling."

Along with the victory came Huddersfield's first clean sheet in The Championship which is something The Yorkshire Club need to repeat regularly to compete in this league;

"I’m sure Smithies will be happy with that! Onwards and upwards now; perhaps we can rattle off another couple of wins and see where that takes us.”

Adam Clayton is one of Grayson's summer signings along with numerous others but the versatile midfielder stated that the whole squad is getting along fine regardless of some tough opening fixtures;

"We’ve had three games together now, but even in the first against Cardiff I thought our team shape was very good and we passed the ball well against a very good side. Nottingham Forest is another good side – you could see that against Bolton last night – and again today we did well. That only bodes well for the future. It’s brilliant here. I enjoy playing football and I’m thoroughly enjoying the way we are playing and passing it at the moment. We’re a tight nit group and the day to day training is brilliant."

Clayton fired off a fair few shots of his own on Saturday with the majority being blocked by diving Burnley bodies but he was pleased to see Rhodes getting on the scoresheet for the second game running;

"I was already off celebrating when I saw the ball drop to him! When it drops to Jordan you have no doubt about him hitting the back of the net."

Clayton also played for the first time with new loanee James Vaughan who he thinks is going to be a very valuable asset to the terriers this season;

"James is a very good addition to the squad. His pedigree speaks for itself, playing for Everton and Norwich in the Premier League; he’s a very good player. You could see how brilliant his work rate is today and it would be nice to get him his first goal as quickly as possible, because if he is scoring goals with Jordan we’ll have quite a good strike-force."

"I’m looking forward to the Ipswich game, but not necessarily the drive there! It will be another good game in a good atmosphere and it will give our team more experience of Championship football. If we can go there and put another good performance in, like we did at Cardiff, we can push on again when we get back to our Stadium."

Smithies Ready To Progress In The Championship

The hero from Wembley spoke to the newspapers today stating that the terriers are ready to move on and progress in the second tier of English football but memories of promotions will last with the entire squad forever. Smithies is set to feature in Huddersfield Town's first competitive match of the season when they travel to Deepdale tonight in the first round of the Capital One Cup but the young goalkeeper was keen in telling all the fans about the positive spirit in the camp;

"We were having a laugh in training the other day because we were having a penalty shoot-out and I saved Jack Hunt's kick. I just said to him 'have you any idea how many times I've seen where you put your penalties? It's fair to say I've watched the DVD from Wembley a few times, but it's time to move on and try to progress ourselves in the Championship this season."

Smithies was asked if he would ever forget how himself and the club gained promotion from League One to which he replied;

"Probably not, because those are the memories you cherish and that's why you train so hard, because you want to have memories like that and, hopefully, there will be more to come."

Alex also went on to talk about tonights game against League One outfit Preston North End as well as speaking about how he is focused on the job required in The Championship;

"Being in the Championship at this stage is what the club deserves because the chairman has put so much time and money into it, and he deserves to get what he wants. Now it's the next step up and we know it's a big challenge, but we're all really excited. It's strange having a Cup game first, but we want to do well in every game we play and this is no different."

"Some people have said the League Cup has gone down in estimations in recent years, but we want to progress as far as we can and with it being our first game of the season, it's important. If we can win over at Preston then that will give us confidence to take into the Cardiff City game on Friday, because we know they are going to be very strong. Ultimately, we want to prove ourselves against them and everyone else in the division, because it's a fantastic fixture list and there isn't a bad game to be had."

"We're looking forward to it because the gaffer has brought in some new faces, they are all people who have already done what's necessary at this level and, hopefully, we will be able to compete as a Championship squad."

Nick Colgan and Ian Bennett are both vastly experienced goalkeepers that Smithies is currently beating to the number one position but he knows they will both be poised to take over at any stage if required to do so;

"We want competition for places, because it helps bring the best out of you. Those lads push you on and to know such good keepers are there makes you want to work and want to improve. I'll be doing my best to get the shirt for the first game of the season, but we know we've got strength in depth whoever gets the nod. My aim is to get the shirt and keep it for the rest of the season and, for the team, I think we've just got to be competitive, prove ourselves and see where that takes us."

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Bennett On Huddersfield & The Championship

Ian Bennett signed a new contract yesterday that shall see him remain at the club until the summer of 2014. At 40 years of age, Bennett may be seen as 'knocking on' but the veteran proved exactly why he deserved a new contract with his amazing performances last season. Benno spoke to the official website about Huddersfield Town, his future at the club and of course promotion;

"It's great that I've got my new contract sorted, because I want to finish my career at the Club. If I hadn't managed to come to an agreement with Town I think I would have probably started on a coaching career instead, but it's great that I can continue. I feel really at home at the Club."

"The Club asked me what I thought at the end of the campaign and I think I'm strong enough to keep playing. Obviously I'll monitor my own condition like I always do, but the Club obviously feels I warranted a two year deal and that's great news for me because I want to play a big part as it continues to progress over the next two seasons."

"Everyone is still on a high at the Club following promotion and having played at this level before I think our squad can definitely compete at this level, particularly given the additions the manager has made already. It's going to be a great division to play in this season - a lot of the other teams play in the same style as us and that will only help. If we start the season well, I think we might surprise a few people. You never know where a good start can take you."

"All the goalkeepers at the Club could go away at the end of the season feeling great, because we all contributed to the team's promotion. I played quite a few games and Alex played such a huge role in the final, but everyone contributed because we all push each other so hard during training. We all get on very well; we're a real close-knit bunch."

"I keep getting asked how disappointed I was to miss the Final through injury and obviously it was a shame, but I was particularly pleased for Alex - he deserved to finish on a high after a season that started with such a low point due to his injury."

Its great to have a goalkeeper such as Bennett at the club and for at least two more years we shall continue to see him throw himself around for the cause.