'I don’t think there was a harder tie' - Exeter City boss Matt Taylor aware of size of Huddersfield Town test
Exeter City boss Matt Taylor has previewed his side’s FA Cup trip to Huddersfield Town
Exeter City boss Matt Taylor believes his side were given the toughest FA Cup draw possible when they were handed a trip to Huddersfield Town.
The fourth-tier Grecians will begin their FA Cup campaign in West Yorkshire, tackling League One’s pace-setters in the first round.
Martin Drury’s Terriers have lost just once in the third tier this term and will be heavily fancied to advance into the second round.
Exeter City boss previews Huddersfield Town trip
“We didn’t win last weekend but we played against a very good team,” Taylor told Exeter’s media team. “We’re playing against an even better team this weekend.
“I don’t think there was a harder tie than Huddersfield away. We go there believing we can win this game of football, but we’ll have to perform well.
“We’ll have to perform well and understand their strengths and moments in the game, like we always do, and the way to attack on a fantastic playing surface in a good stadium.”
‘Respect’ for Huddersfield Town
Taylor, formerly of Rotherham United, is evidently aware of the scale of the challenge his players will face at the Accu Stadium. However, the 44-year-old will not be adjusting his side’s preparation.
“[We will approach it] same as every other game,” he said. “People talk a lot about your preparation for a cup game being different.
“We’ll respect the opposition, take into account their qualities, their squad, their strength in depth, the personnel involved. But we go there in good form ourselves.”
Exeter also visited Yorkshire in the first round of last season’s edition of the FA Cup, claiming a 2-0 win over National League outfit FC Halifax Town.
They then completed a 4-0 rout of Wycombe Wanderers in round two before being dismantled in a 10-1 mauling at the hands of Manchester City.