How Huddersfield Town are embracing new identity under new coach Carlos Corberan

Those were the words of Huddersfield Town head coach Carlos Corberan as he reflected on his first few months at the helm in West Yorkshire.

After losing their first three games of the season – including a League Cup defeat to League One Rochdale – there would have been few people expecting the Terriers to be in a relatively comfortable position heading into this international break.

At this point last campaign, Huddersfield had picked up just eight points from 11 games but despite losing their top goalscorer in Karlan Grant, they are already six points better off.

Corberan lost his first two Championship fixtures in charge, against Norwich City and Brentford respectively, but there was plenty within those performances that left him feeling encouraged.

Corberan is delighted how quickly the players have adapted to his style of play, as Huddersfield look to move to a more possession-based game.

Last season, they averaged a 51 per cent share of the ball over 90 minutes but that is already up to 57 per cent this term.

“It is a lot of work to develop in the time we have had here,” said Corberan.

“First of all, we want to implement our ideas of how we want to defend and how we want to attack.

“I think sometimes it can take a bit of time but the team already started to show in some moments against Norwich the spirit we want to give in defence.

“Against Brentford we didn’t show that but we started to grow a little bit with the ball, even though we lost the game it was all part of the building process for the team.

“Against Nottingham Forest we started to link more the defensive and attacking parts of our team. Every game we try to improve, we try to be better and try to grow as a team even though the consecutive games don’t allow you to train a lot.

“I am happy with the responsibility the players are taking with the ball. We want to control the ball and we want to create.

“We need to learn how to manage some moments of the game but the team is showing a clear identity in attack.

“Football never allows you to stop in the growing process. Not only for us but for any team in the world. We need to be a stronger team and more difficult to beat.”

The Terriers came from a goal down to rescue a point against Luton Town on Saturday.

Carel Eiting produced an excellent finish on the hour, directing Harry Toffolo’s cross into the top corner.

The Ajax loanee’s goal was all the more impressive as he managed to divert the ball out of the goalkeeper’s reach despite there not being much pace on the delivery, which had come from a move that started with goalkeeper Ben Hamer.

George Moncur had put the Hatters in front with a well-taken goal with 21 minutes gone but the visitors rarely threatened after that as the Terriers attempted to overturn the deficit.

“I try to win games, every time,” added Corberan.

“I try to give our fans a team they will be proud to watch and give them a team who have a style they can identify with.

“For me the key to that style is the effort and sacrifice of the players, showing that every challenge is key.

“We need to have that competitive spirit because if you don’t have that, you are not going to get anything in this league.

“For us, the goalkeeper is the first attacking player. At the same time, the striker is the first defensive player for the team. Playing from the back is the way that we want to play.”

Corberan will be grateful for the respite provided by the international break as he looks to get his players ready for a frantic finish to the year.

Including their meeting with Stoke City on November 21, the Terriers face 11 games in under six weeks.

“We have played seven games in a row but this next period of games is going to be even harder because we have a lot of games without a rest,” he said.

“We need to prepare ourselves well and we will try to use the international break to recover and develop the details we can do better.”

Huddersfield Town: Hamer; Pipa (Duhaney 90), Stearman, Sarr, Toffolo; Eiting, Hogg, O’Brien; Diakhaby (Schindler 66), Campbell, Koroma (Ward 82). Unused substitutes: Pereira, Mbenza, Brown, Daly.

Luton Town: Sluga; Craine, Bradley, Rea, Pearson; Ruddock, Dewsbury-Hall; Moncur (Bree 60), Berry (Tunnicliffe 77), Cornick (Lualua 73); Collins. Unused substitutes: Shea, Hylton, Lee, Norrington-Davies.

Referee: Oliver Langford (England)

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