Peter Clarke – Grayson has a track record

Huddersfield Town Captain Peter Clarke has backed the appointment of new gaffer Simon Grayson.

Clarke, who has played for Grayson during his time at Blackpool, backed the appointment in an interview with htafc.com:-

‘He is very relaxed,’ said the 30 year-old.

‘He has been honest and straight with the lads and told them that he wants people to work hard in training and give it their best on a match day. He has taken the training sessions since he arrived and the lads have responded well. He has got a great track record, having taken a team up automatically from this League and also through the Play-Offs.’

The skipper spoke also on our promotion hopes this season.

‘We can only affect our results, but there are plenty of points to play for between now and the end of the season. We believe we have enough within our group to achieve one of those top two places.’

Peter also described his thoughts on the developments that have surrounded Hudderfield Town over recent weeks with the departure of Lee Clark after 3 years at the helm:-

‘I think interesting is the best way to describe it; it has been a strange week. The events of last Wednesday were not something that we necessarily envisaged happening, but ultimately it came to pass that Lee (Clark) lost his position. There were certainly elements of surprise around the dressing room, but the lads applied themselves terrifically in the development game last Wednesday and in training over the course of the last few days.

‘I don’t know whether people foresaw it or not, but certainly when we were told as a group of players we were surprised. However, you’re never shocked with what happens in football anymore; you only have to look at the on goings of the (Carlos) Tevez affair and various other things in the game at this moment in time. I think you have to be able to take things in your stride, and move on in the best way you know how.’

‘In appointing the manager before the game at the weekend, it gives the staff a good chance to work with the lads. They have time to weigh up what they have got and I believe that it will be beneficial to all parties.’

So when can we expect the skipper to return?

‘If I come back too soon, it wouldn’t be good – I’ve got to come back fit and ready to go. You can’t rush things; you’ve got to be guided by your own limitations. At the moment the injury is ok and coming along nicely.’