Huddersfield Town v Doncaster Rovers: Liam Manning wants to take Wembley way to build bonds with fans
Liam Manning wants to build bonds with the Huddersfield Town fans and he can take a big step in the right direction by putting them one game from Wembley on Tuesday.
The Terriers host Doncaster Rovers in a Football League Trophy quarter-final. However uninspiring the competition’s early stages are, the prospect of an April 12 trip to Wembley will excite whichever supporters get within reach.
Breathing life into what was a fairly moribund season under predecessor Lee Grant is an important part of Manning's job and he has started well, with three wins in his first four games as coach. The draw – 2-2 with Blackpool on Saturday – was perhaps just as important after going in 2-0 down at half-time.
"It's about trying to build some momentum, trying to create a culture and a relationship between the fans and the lads," said Manning.
"We felt it (in Saturday's) second half. We spoke about how we could create that atmosphere and energy.
"In the first half I thought we could have done certain actions to lift it but even when we were behind in the second half the fans were top.
"We crave that relationship with the fans where we can turn this into a really difficult place to come, especially with a really difficult run-in.
"It's about trying to create memories.
"The minimum fans should expect is that we turn up and fight to the end, show character, resilience and don't feel sorry for ourselves.
"That’s why the second half was a fantastic response from the lads.
"Fans pay hard-earned money to see the lads so to see them fight to the end, even if we hadn't got the second goal, people respect the lads gave everything in the second half."
Mickel Miller played in the final two years running, winning in 2022 with Rotherham United, heavily beaten with Plymouth Argyle. Both were good experiences, he insists.
"Both days... you can't take away how great a day it was and the build-up," he said. "I'll remember that for life and be able to tell my kids and they'll be able to tell their kids.
"I hope everyone can feel that same success that I felt when I won it with Rotherham."
Alfie May's four-match ban does not cover the Trophy, so he will feature. Sean Roughan and Anthony Evans are in contention to play after injury.