| Terriers manager Lee Clark |
Town boss Lee Clark spoke to BBC Radio Leeds and his club's official website ahead of Huddersfield's League One match against Carlisle at the Galpharm Stadium tomorrow, Clark first talking about Town's promotion hopes :
" If we look after our own stuff and we keep on winning football then that will take care of itself. What it is is that the teams above us are on good runs as well but there are one or two of them just having a little blip and are dropping points here and there.
" We have got games in hand and we have to make those count now, we have to continue the home form and then those rearranged games and the games in hand away from home we have to take positive results and just keep clawing back points here and there to the teams above us and see where it takes us.
" Because when it gets a little bit later in the season and it is a little bit of a nerve-wracking time for certain people who have never been in that position then you never know what can happen. They can have a little run of results which go against them and you have got to be in there to be able to pounce and take over.
" Without a doubt we can still finish in the top two but we have to have an unbelievable run from now until the end of the season. Very consistent, win a lot of games and see what they do, I haven't ruled out any of the positions yet because none of them are that way. "
" With the exception of Norwich who are on a magnificent run everyone else has dropped points over the last few weeks and months. So it is still all to play for, granted we have a lot of catching up to do, that is a fact, but if we can do that from now until the end of the season in terms of a fantastic run then who knows where it can take us.
" The Club is making real progress, both on and off the field. When I talked to Dean (Hoyle) and Nigel (Clibbens) about taking on the job we discussed how a successful football team would help the Club to grow commercially - if we can entertain the fans and win matches, more people will come along to watch us.
" We are making this massive progress without going overboard on the financial side of things, contrary to certain reports. Nothing has changed in terms of our budget from the previous season to this one - of the teams above us in the League, at least three have bigger wage bills than us. We know we are doing things right - we are attracting the right players within our financial structure.
" I am expecting a tough game against Carlisle, a very tough game, I think in terms of their progress they have made massive steps from last season. They are on a good run, I know they lost in midweek which was unfortunate by the DVD I have seen and the reports I have seen. But I have been to see them myself on three or four occasions and they are a team that is picking up good results on a regular basis, so we know it is going to be tough.
" Carlisle have two very experienced international footballers in Graham Kavanagh and Ian Harte. In terms of their playing days they are coming to the twilight of their careers, but they are still very influential players for them and when you have that experience and quality they possess with young legs around them they will pose a threat. We understand and respect that and we have prepared for them very thoroughly. "
" The clean sheets have been excellent, and I said before our last four games that I wanted to get back to keeping clean sheets because we had a little run where we hadn't. The only blip we have had is the disappointing goal we conceded against Southend. All the new lads have bedded in now - they've had a game and helped us get an away win and a clean sheet, but now we have to continue our good home form. Hopefully they can play a part in that.
" I have always said that if we can keep clean sheets, we are always likely to score given the attacking options we have at the Club. We have so many players that can produce something out of nothing and successful teams get a lot of 1-0 victories. Keeping clean sheets gives us the best opportunity to be successful.
" Michael (Collins) and Anthony (Pilkington) have been working with the physiotherapist (Dave Buckby) all week, they have done everything they can with them now. The next step for them is to come with the group and we will test them really strongly today and see how they react to that.
" If they come through that then they will be available for selection, if not and if there is the slightest risk then we will just keep them out and make sure they are right for the future. Because we have got lots of games coming up, so for the sake of missing one more game, them being right for the rest of the season is the thing to look for. "
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