Town are looking up with more confidence – Hammill

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN will make the short trip to Burnley today knowing that the play-off spots are within touching distance.
Huddersfield Town manager Mark RobinsHuddersfield Town manager Mark Robins
Huddersfield Town manager Mark Robins

Just four points separate the Terriers in 11th place from Ipswich Town in sixth but, as Adam Hammill points out, this is far from the first time that the Yorkshire club have had an eye on the play-off berths.

On each of those occasions, a couple of defeats have knocked Mark Robins’s men back into lower mid-table.

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However, as Town look to make it a league double over the Clarets for the second time in as many seasons, Hammill believes that can change this time around.

He said: “When we have got close to the play-offs before this season, we haven’t been confident enough to kick on.

“But there is more belief in the squad at the moment, as we know that we are a side that has plenty of ability.

“We have a tough week in store, but it is important that we keep the momentum going.

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“We were outstanding against Yeovil (in winning 5-1 last Sunday) and it could have been more than five. But we were disappointed with the goal that we conceded and the manner of it.

“The win provides us with a good springboard to kick on and hopefully get two more victories.”

Town beat Burnley, then leading the Championship, 2-1 at the John Smith’s Stadium on November 30.

Producing a repeat today will, though, be tough, with Sean Dyche’s side boasting the only remaining unbeaten home record in the second tier.

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Town manager Robins said: “The memory of our home game against Burnley is still fairly fresh, as it will be for them.

“They have enjoyed a fantastic first half to the season and we know that they are a really good team. They are the only team in the league who are undefeated on home soil, which presents us with a great opportunity.”

Town ended 2013 in a decent fashion, with four wins from the final eight games of the year.

Robins added: “We have played in some tough games of late and are in good shape after them. The Brighton game was extremely hard and we had to put in a different type of performance to get anything from it.

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“In the second half against Derby we were as good as we have been this season and maybe didn’t get the rub of the green.”

James Vaughan is once again a doubt with the knee injury that kept the Terriers’ top scorer out of the festive double-header against Derby County and Yeovil Town.

Last six games: Burnley DWDWLD, Huddersfield WLLDDW.

Last time: Burnley 0 Huddersfield Town 1; February 26, 2013; Championship.

Referee: D Coote (Nottinghamshire).