Reffing hell for Terriers
way. It will be different without supporters, but it’s a requirement and a responsibility for us always to be self-motivated - but particularly in this circumstance.
“We have to drive our own energy and we have to create our own atmosphere.
“We trained at the John Smith’s Stadium, which was really good, just to give us an opportunity to familiarise ourselves again with the stadium and really feel what it’s like.
“There was some noise on from the supporters and I think the players enjoyed that through the warm-up, listening to the songs and hearing our fans again.
“But it will be different and we understand that’s how it has to be.
“Hopefully not for too long because football without people is not how we want it.
“There are some changes in terms of the rules.
“Nine substitutes and being able to use five subs on three occasions (in the game) and possibly at half-time as well. There’s a new system with the balls, of which the players have had a presentation and we’ve had a run through.
“There’s a new rule in terms of having water breaks after 22 minutes and 67 minutes, or thereabouts, so again that will be a small change, and these are the challenges in front of us.”
But despite all the changes, Cowley won’t accept any excuses from his players if they don’t perform.
He said: “Excuses are for the weak, and no-one cares about excuses. I don’t think an excuse has ever got me a point in all my years as a manager, so we are going to be flexible, we are going to roll with the punches and we are going to adapt as necessary.”
OH no! The referee who had what was described as a ‘terrible day at the office’ the last time he was at the John Smith’s Stadium is back to take charge of Town’s game with Wigan Athletic today.
Australian official Jarred Gillett was in the middle when the Terriers drew
1-1 against Swansea City in November - sending off Trevoh Chalobah four minutes from time after handing out five other yellow cards.
It wasn’t the dismissal which irked observers, however, but the way the 33-year-old appeared to lose control of the game on the day.
Examiner’s Town writer Steven Chicken wrote after that game: “No analysis of this match would be complete without at least mentioning referee Jarred Gillett, who had an utterly terrible day at the office that both sets of fans, both managers (tactfully), and journalists both partisan and neutral agreed was a shocker.”
Fans will hope the man from the Gold Coast in Queensland - who also took charge of Town’s 2-1 defeat at Cardiff early in the season - has a much better 90 minutes this time around. In his 23 league and cup games this season, Gillett has handed out 81 yellow cards and two yellows.