Birmingham City v Huddersfield Town – Carlos Corberan highlights ambition and motivation as key factors for Terriers

Huddersfield Town's Alex Pritchard (centre) has recovered from his quad injury. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA

“The reaction to the defeat is going to show very clearly the development of the team,” he said.

Saturday’s 2-1 loss was not the Terriers’ first setback under the Spaniard, but the first since their season got going in earnest.

Huddersfield took their first 10 points of the season from a possible 12 until running into Preston North End at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Huddersfield Town boss Carlos Corberan. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

They ran into one another too, Naby Sarr colliding with goalkeeper Ben Hamer in a calamitous two minutes which saw them go from 1-0 up to a decisive 2-1 down. Sarr was later sent off.

“The mentality is going to be key for us this season,” says Corberan.

“One of the challenges is how the team reacts after defeats. Until we conceded two goals in two minutes we were able to command the game, to take the ball and create chances.

“We are going to need this 100 per cent throughout the season.

“We need to play the same way with the same ideas, the same level of effort and commitment.”

That Town have taken to his new methods so quickly is, says Corberan, partly due to the confidence of an early win – Nottingham Forest were beaten in game four – but they must not overdo it.

“A positive result can help you learn more because it gives players a level of confidence,” added Corberan. “This group needed that, especially after the last two seasons (of relegation battles).

“In some games you can have an excess of confidence and that can stop you winning. You need to continue having the same level of ambition and motivation.”

Alex Pritchard returns from the quad injury picked up against Forest but Danny Ward and Rarmani Edmonds-Green are not expected back until after the international break.

Youngster Romoney Crichlow is an option to replace the suspended Sarr at centre-back, but so is reverting to a back four.

Last six games: Birmingham City WWDWLL; Huddersfield Town LWWDWL.

Referee: L Doughty (Lancashire)

Last time: Birmingham City 0 Huddersfield Town 3, July 1, 2020, Championship.

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