Robins ready to seize chance

New Huddersfield manager Mark Robins is excited at getting a second shot at the FA Cup, but insists the league remains the main priority.

Last Updated: 15/02/13 at 15:37 Post Comment   

Mark Robins: League remains priority for Robins

Mark Robins: League remains priority for Robins

The Terriers welcome Premier League strugglers Wigan to the John Smith's Stadium on Sunday, where a win would send them into the last eight of the competition for the first time in 41 years.

It would not be the worst way for Robins to mark his first game in charge of the club after he was brought in as the permanent successor to Simon Grayson.

He left behind a Coventry team that he had led from the bottom reaches of the npower League One table towards the play-off places and into the Northern Area final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

But he was unable to steer the Sky Blues past the third round of the FA Cup, where they were beaten by Tottenham, and he is looking forward to seeing how his new club cope with Roberto Martinez's Premier League outfit.

"This is a different challenge," he said.

"Roberto's teams always play good football and it is a game to look forward to.

"I think all games have to be viewed as an opportunity and we get to pit our wits against Premier League opposition."

Huddersfield's last appearance in the fifth round was also against top-tier opposition, but they were beaten 3-1 by Chelsea in 2008. They last reached the quarter-finals in 1972.

On that occasion, a West Ham side featuring Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Harry Redknapp were sent packing from Leeds Road, before Town were knocked out by Birmingham in the next round.

That campaign ended with the Terriers being relegated from the second tier, and with the current side sitting just three points above the drop zone, Robins is wary of how important it is to retain the club's Championship status this season.

"Every club is an individual and faces its own challenges," he said.

"At the moment we have to try and get the work done at Canalside (the club's training ground) for the start of next pre-season, but we have a 14-game league season in which why have to try and pick up points to climb the table."

But that does not mean he will take the FA Cup lightly, despite the club facing a trip to Nottingham Forest in the league just 48 hours later.

He added: "We were possibly unfancied against a Leicester side that has been flying, especially as the side suffered a heavy defeat there earlier in the season, but they went there and played really well.

"From what I saw in the second half, the players were more than worth the win.

"This game allows me to have a look at the players, but we want to try and progress (to the next round).

"We'll prepare the team as best we can for Sunday."

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