DON’T LOSE YOUR HUDDS

Terrier Pearson inspired by Hatters’ escape act in 2020

MATT PEARSON is taking inspiration from Luton’s escape act in 2020, as he plots survival in the Championship with Huddersfield.

Pearson was at Luton when they took 10 points from their final 12 and beat Blackburn on the last day to stay up.

He claims the Terriers must show the same fighting qualities going into today’s relegation shoot-out with Birmingham, with both sides in the bottom three.

“I’ve been in situations where we’ve been in the relegation zone at Luton,” said the Yorkshireman. “We were in the relegation zone going into the last two games and managed to get out.

“I remember playing Blackburn on the last day of the season and we had to win. So it’s a similar situation now, going into the games, having to win games.

“In that season, we didn’t have it in our hands, so we were going through periods where, if certain teams won, it would put it out of reach for us. Thankfully, we managed to get it back and it came down to our last game, and we got the win against Blackburn.

“So, it’s just about believing and fighting until the end, that fighting spirit, that’s what we need.”

Last Saturday’s 4-0 home defeat to Swansea (below) was a hammer blow for Huddersfield and they have slipped three points below the survival line.

They must beat Birmingham, who are two points ahead of them, at the John Smith’s Stadium and Pearson says they have tried to shut everything else out and focus on the match.

“Going into the game, we’ve excluded noise and league tables – we’ve just forgotten everything that’s going on and just focused on the game,” said the centre-half.

“That’s all that matters, being ready at 3 o’clock on Saturday, ready to give it a go, give everything we’ve got and then afterwards, see where we’re at.

“It’s not over until it’s over and you’ve got to keep fighting. All I can say is, we lads, we’re going to fight until the end.

“On Saturday, we’ll do our best to get the win and then we’ll see where we are. As long as we can give everything we’ve got and fight, as long as we have no regrets, the outcome will be what it is.

“I want to fight and give everything I can. Hopefully we can come out on top.”

Pearson, 30, says today’s showdown with Birmingham is huge for the club and for him.

“It’s one of the biggest games for me,” he added. “At the time, other games are the biggest, but then when a big game like this crops up, it’s the biggest game of your career.

“It’s a big game for everyone at the club.”