Moore hails his Terriers for dogged defensive display

DARREN MOORE thanked the Huddersfield crowd for not turning on his struggling side – after he plugged their leaky defence.

The rain chucked down but tame Watford showed no sign of submerging their opponents despite 71 per cent possession.

The Terriers had gone into the game after suffering successive beatings, 4-0 against Cardiff and 4-1 against Leeds. But this was a different story, as the Yorkshire club stayed solid while trying to counterattack.

Moore said: “We thank the crowd for understanding where we are. The way they got behind the team was exemplary. We wish things were better but under these extremes – with players missing – the players available showed real desire to not get beat.

“You saw players coming off at the end with cramp.”

Huddersfield’s caution meant openings at either end were rare in the first half.

The Hornets had better moments in the second half – including weak strikes by Yaser Asprilla and Jamal

Lewis – but could not find the sting they needed. Watford, in lower mid-table, are unbeaten in five but this game was frustrating for them at times.

Their manager Valerien Ismael said: “We’re getting disappointed with not winning away, which shows our improvement.” HUDDERSFIELD: Nicholls 7; Jackson 8, Pearson 7, Helik 8, Lees 8, Nakayama 6; Thomas 8, Edmonds-green 6 (Ruffels (87) 5), Wiles 6, Headley 7; Hudlin 8 (Diarra (73) 6) WATFORD: Bachmann 6; Ngakia 6 (Andrews (63) 7), Sierralta 7, Hoedt 6, Lewis 7; Kayembe 7, Livermore 7, Chakvetadze 6 (Kone (67) 7); Asprilla 7 (Martins 78), Bayo 6 (Rajovic (67) 6), Sema 7 STAR MAN: Kyle Hudlin – The big man was a useful focal point and a handful to deal with all afternoon. He put in a real shift. REF: Sunny Singh Gill 7