Brentford v Huddersfield Town: Town are there to be shot at concedes boss Clark

LEE CLARK is hoping Huddersfield Town setting up base down south will reap its reward tonight as his side look to strengthen their grip on second place.

The Terriers take on Brentford at Griffin Park just three days after claiming all three points from a trip to Bristol Rovers.

Jordan Rhodes netted the only goal at the Memorial Ground as Town leapfrogged over Bournemouth into the final automatic promotion place following the Cherries’ defeat at home to Southampton.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Clark felt travelling back to Huddersfield after the Rovers game only to then return yesterday would have left his players drained for the encounter with the Bees.

He said: “After Saturday’s win, the lads went back to the hotel to get some rest and prepare for the game at Brentford.

“The lads who played had a cool down in the pool at the hotel, while the lads that weren’t involved worked in the gymnasium. We did a similar thing with them on the Sunday – it was a very light session, with the lads just relaxing.

“We then trained in Bristol before travelling to London.”

Town extended the only remaining League One unbeaten run of 2011 to 15 games with the 1-0 win over Bristol Rovers and Clark admits his side are now “there to be shot at”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He added: “Everyone is now chasing us. The pressure changes now, as the onus is on us to stay in the top two. We are no longer doing the chasing.

“But I am sure the lads will embrace the challenge and enjoy it.”

Town will take on a Brentford side fresh from an impressive London derby victory at play-off hopefuls Charlton Athletic.

Of tonight’s tussle with the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy finalists, Clark said: “It will be a very tough game. Nicky (Forster, manager) has gone in and done a very good job in a short space of time.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The pitch isn’t always the greatest at Griffin Park so we will have to be up for the battle. But I think my lads have shown over the last couple of games that they are.”

Gary Naysmith is likely to miss the game with a calf injury, while injured goalkeeper Ian Bennett is also out along with ankle-ligament damage victim Antony Kay. Lee Peltier serves the third game of a four-game ban. Gary Roberts hopes to have overcome illness which ruled him out at Bristol.

Last six games: Brentford WWDLLW, Huddersfield Town DDWDWW.

Referee: D Whitestone (Northamptonshire).

Last time: Brentford 3 Huddersfield Town 0; April 10, 2010; League One.