Danny can’t look at window now as it’s crunch time!
what we can control is our performance.
“For us, it’s about getting the process right and, if we do that, then we can accumulate points in the next two games. If we do that, we will achieve what we set out to achieve when we first arrived.”
Town are wearing the Foundation logo as the match is on Sky TV and the shirts issued to the players in the match day squad will be signed and auctioned off.
Proceeds raised will be distributed to projects across Kirklees, including the ‘Early Kick-Off ’ Breakfast Clubs, Wildcats football sessions and Sporting Memories, which aims to help people with dementia and/or social isolation.
Town Foundation chief executive Siobhan Atkinson said: “It is great to be able to showcase the Town Foundation logo on the club’s shirts for this match, as well as advertising our work through some of the club’s other platforms.
“COVID-19 has had a significant impact on our ability to host fundraising events, so the extra funds raised from auctioning off the shirts will be a welcome boost to our team.”
Club chairman Phil Hodgkinson added: “The Foundation has worked tirelessly to continue its work with the people of Kirklees through these difficult times, so we are delighted to be able to dedicate this fixture to the charity and support the local community.
“We hope the fact that these shirts are unique with the addition of the NHS logo will make them desirable to bid on, raising vital funds for the club’s official charity.”
The auction will go live at kick-off tonight.
JONATHAN Hogg has been charged with providing the Huddersfield Town fighting spirit against West Brom.
The 31-year-old is set to play his 38th game of the season, with Town desperate to secure Championship survival points against the odds.
Hogg is eager to ensure his eighth season in blue and white stripes isn’t spent in League One and manager Danny Cowley is happy to let the midfielder take the lead.
With West Brom focused on gaining promotion to the Premier League, Hogg could prove a real thorn in their side having started every game since the resumption of the season he was out suffering a knee injury before the lockdown and benefited from the lay-off.
“Hoggy was excellent against the ball on Tuesday night at Sheffield Wednesday,” said Cowley.
“He was at his physical, competitive best. Hoggy brings a real fight to our team, he’s a winner and a fierce competitor.
“So we were really, really pleased with his display on Tuesday. He has got himself into a good rhythm of games, which has been really good.
“And he’s surprised us with his ability to be able to back games up and play as much as he’s been able to. We have tended to withdraw him if we are behind in games to try to save his legs, but we have been really pleased with his contribution.”
DANNY Cowley is taking a pragmatic stance on Huddersfield Town’s transfer window business and how it will affect their players - particularly those out of contract and out on loan.
That not only includes Emile Smith Rowe, Chris Willock, Trevoh Chalobah, Jonas Lossl and Andy King, who have extended deals to stay until the final ball is kicked.
But they also count goalkeeper Ben Hamer, wingman Adama Diakhaby, defender Terence Kongolo, utility man Flo Hadergjonaj, wideman Ramadan Sobhi and midfielder Reece Brown who have been out on loan.
Latest reports suggest Brown is wanted again by Peterborough United in League One, while the futures of the others remain in limbo as the transfer window prepares to open from July 27 to October 5.
“Our focus has been on the here and now and what we can affect,” said Cowley ahead of the West Brom game.
“We have seen the guidelines the EFL have sent out (on the transfer window) and it seems sensible in these unprecedented circumstances.
“We will work around that when we are in a position to have more clarity as to what division we are in and what the budget will be.
“A lot of work has been done behind the scenes in terms of planning. At the moment, though, they are very loose plans because we are still waiting for clarity. At the moment, and rightly so, all the focus is on the game against West Brom.”
Asked how he has conversations with the loan players on both sides of the equation - those playing and those who want away - Cowley explained it’s delicate.
“As a collective we’ve got a cause and we are all fighting towards it,” he said. “It’s difficult for every human being isn’t it at the moment because of the uncertainty the pandemic has created.
“All of us feel some anxiety as to what will happen next, that’s natural. The best thing you can do is talk, and that’s what we try to do.
“We have always had clear communication with the players, to help them and put them in the best possible state of mind.”
So with Hamer at Derby County and Diakhaby at Nottingham Forest, who are still playing Championship games, will they have to wait until the season is finished?
“I think so,” said Cowley. “We are trying to affect the players that are available to us in these next two games. You would be foolish to try to focus on anything other than the here and now with the significance of the next six days.
“All of our energy and all of our focus is on trying to find two performances that allow us to achieve what our goal was when we first arrived.
“Beyond that, we need an understanding of what division we are in, what the budget will be and then we need to know where they are at.
“I have an understanding of their contracts and the football club will then make some decisions to support where we are come July 23.
“Conversations have been had about the future of the club and where we are going, but for us to be able to finalise any plans we need more clarity. We won’t be the only club, by any means. It’s a crazy division and a crazy time.”
So is the longer-term future of the club at all in focus right now?
“We are looking after the long-term future of the club by putting all our focus into the here and now,” he answered. “I know how important it is for the club we retain our status and every single day it’s been at the forefront of my mind.”