Town urged to avoid hangover

LEE CLARK has called on his Huddersfield Town players to learn from his own bitter experience of the play-offs and come back to "smash all records" in League One next season.

The Terriers' hopes of winning promotion to the Championship ended in disappointing fashion as Millwall won Tuesday night's second leg 2-0.

It means as the Lions look forward to a Wembley date with Swindon Town on May 29, Town are facing another season in the third tier.

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Clark accepts his players will be dejected in the coming days after missing out on a trip to the national stadium.

But he also wants Huddersfield to learn from his own experience when part of a Sunderland side beaten in the First Division play-off final by Charlton Athletic.

Peter Reid's Black Cats lost on penalties after a thrilling 4-4 draw but responded by romping to the title the following season with 105 points – 18 more than nearest challengers, Bradford City.

Clark said: "I have been here myself a bit further down the line in the play-off final against Charlton. I felt awful after that.

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"I have told the players that they need to remember how they are feeling and never want to experience it again.

"As a manager, I try not to talk about my playing days. It is usually garbage to talk about them because they have gone.

"But if there is a situation where I think it can help my players then I will (talk about them).

"So, I have explained to the players what we did at Sunderland when we lost the (1998) final.

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"We came back and smashed all records the following season. That is the way we have to respond. There is no hangover.

"Let them be disappointed over the next couple of weeks and then be ready to come back."

Town's second leg defeat at The Den saw the Yorkshire side fail to match their usual high standards.

There was plenty of commitment and endeavour, but a lack of polish at vital times proved costly with the final pass or shot invariably lacking sufficient quality to trouble Millwall.

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After a season in which Huddersfield netted the second highest tally of goals behind champions Norwich City, Clark admits failing to score in either play-off leg was disappointing.

In contrast, the Lions were a much more cohesive attacking unit and could have won by a more convincing margin than two goals.

Clark said: "My players didn't get done by a lack of desire and passion. I have been proud of them over nearly 60 games this season.

"Sometimes, you have to hold your hands up and say the better team won over two legs. We have a lot of young lads and they didn't let me down. We got in a few good positions but didn't show enough belief.

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"The main area to improve is for my players to believe in themselves as much as I believe in them.

"I have encouraged them all season and told them not to worry if they miss a shot or a cross goes across goal.

"Don't take the easy option. Be brave. Bravery is not about crazy tackles. It is about showing bravery to create opportunities and score goals.

"I felt too many good situations passed us by over the two legs."

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Huddersfield's disappointment at not getting past Millwall was added to by the possibility that they will miss out on a host of Yorkshire derbies next season.

Leeds United's promotion and Hull City's relegation means there will be six White Rose sides in the Championship next term.

Millwall, meanwhile, will be looking to put last year's play-off final heartache behind them when they line up against Swindon a week on Saturday.

The Lions were beaten by Scunthorpe in last season's final and have missed out in their previous five attempts to gain promotion via the post-season format..

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"It's all about winning,'' said manager Kenny Jackett. "It's great to get there but it's win or lose, there is no middle ground.

"It was a great performance and half the job is done. We are pleased with this but we have to stay in training mode.

"We've certainly got some belief in our club that if we get our performance right we can win games.''