TERRIERS SURVIVE THE HEAT

TOM LEES hailed Huddersfield’s ‘fire-fighters’ – and the Terriers centreback reckons they have taken a step out of the relegation furnace.

Darren Moore’s men were in an emergency, hovering above the drop zone, with a depleted squad and morale damaged by recent heavy defeats.

But Lees (above) was typical of their battling qualities.

In the closing stages Watford’s Jamal Lewis fired in a cross and he was there, crucially to snuff out the danger.

Lees said: “Nobody enjoys getting beat in the manner that we did before this game – and it’s demoralising.

“You’ve just got to pick yourselves up and a lot of players showed that first step of redeeming themselves.

“The last couple of games, the fans would have had every right to voice their opinions because it’s not been great. We’ve started trying to rebuild.

“Darren Moore has got a tough task. You look at the squad here, it’s paper thin.

“It’s difficult and you’re putting out fires, with things like injuries and suspension.”

Winger Sorba Thomas admitted that boss Moore had spoken some “home truths” to players before Watford came calling.

Hornets defender Wesley Hoedt said: “It’s the sixth clean sheet of the season already, so we have positives to take – but also a lot to work on.

“We were way better but didn’t create enough to take the game.

“We need to be more clinical, to put in balls earlier, and be more decisive.

“It’s also to do with the opponent. Huddersfield played 5-4-1 and were defending a lot of the time.

“They were really defensive and gambling on set-pieces but I think we defended them very well.”