Huddersfield Town head coach André Breitenreiter says there will be changes to his all-but-relegated Terriers side when they visit Portman Road on Saturday for a final-day game that should see the Blues promoted back to the Premier League, but not too many as he knows his team need to remain professional during such a big match.

The second-bottom West Yorkshire side can still finish level on points with Plymouth in 21st but would require an unlikely turnaround in goal difference to remain a Championship club next season.

“We were all sad because it’s over now,” the German, who took charge in February following Darren Moore’s sacking, said reflecting back to last Saturday’s 1-1 home draw with third-bottom Birmingham City.

“Fifteen goals to score, it’s not really realistic. Most of the people were really sad but we arrived [back at training] on Monday and experienced a good atmosphere.

“It goes on and now we have the last game and we have to present ourselves as good possible.

“It’s a massive game, especially for Ipswich. They need one more point and we want to end the season as good as possible, maybe with a very good performance and if it’s possible, also with a win.”

Asked whether it’s important for him that Huddersfield’s intentions going into the match aren’t questioned, Breitenreiter said: “It’s the last week now, so we concentrated in the first half of the week on recovery and on trying some exercises, then Wednesday we were off and today we prepared the match plan.

“Ipswich is a team with good play in ball possession, they play well, they’ve scored a lot of goals, 90, I think, they won on Tuesday at Coventry 2-1 and it’s a massive game because it’s sold out, it’s a good atmosphere and it should be special, also for our players to give their best and to show everyone a good performance.

“So we prepared the plan and now the players know about everything, will train on Friday and then we leave to go to Ipswich to give our best.”

Terriers fans appear ambivalent at best regarding the final day, knowing the Blues claiming a point would deny their West Yorkshire rivals Leeds United an automatic promotion place.

“I understand our supporters, they don’t like their neighbour club,” the Huddersfield boss laughed. “In Germany, it’s not allowed to speak the name of the neighbours.

“When we have the derby, I understand this, but we are all professionals and it’s our task and our job to do the best every time and many players maybe want to show their best performance to show they are the right person for next season or maybe they want to shine for a new task at another club.

“I’m sure that everyone will try to give his best and when it means that we also finish the season with a good result, then the fans also deserve that we give our best, and we’ll try to give our best.”

Breitenreiter was very critical of his players following the draw at Birmingham, questioning the commitment and work ethic shown by some in his dressing room, feeling there were those more disappointed than others regarding the club’s relegation, some leaving early, as he says they did every day.

He was also damning regarding the pre-season programme during Neil Warnock’s time in charge - Moore took charge in September - in which he had been told “the team trained once per day and the focus was on playing golf and maybe staying in the pub”.

He says conversations regarding the future of his squad - and also whether he remains in charge - will take place next week, believing the Terriers “need a reset” and that “many things need to change”.

“You can be sure that we take just the players to travel with us to Ipswich who we think are right because some players are on loan or some players are thinking maybe in their heads that they’ve left the club,” he said regarding Saturday's match.

“We also want to give players a chance who every time give their best in training sessions, maybe it’s time for them to get a chance, but not so many changes because we have to be professional because of the massive game. We can speak about the whole thing later.”

Despite his critical comments regarding his players, Breitenreiter wasn’t particularly unhappy with last week’s display and confirmed one of the changes he’ll make on Saturday with keeper Chris Maxwell, sent off at Portman Road while playing for Preston in Paul Lambert’s first game in charge, coming into the XI for the first time since December.

“I spoke directly in the press conference after [last week’s] game, the performance last week was absolutely OK, the players gave their best, many players blew up after a few minutes, after 60. But that we have to accept because they tried their best,” he said.

“For Saturday, one change I can tell you, we change the goalkeeper because Chris Maxwell deserves to start one game when I’m in charge because he was professional the whole time, he is absolutely clear and he had with Lee [Nicholls] the whole season, so he deserves to play in the last game.

“We spoke today to Lee and to Max and both are fine. This is one change that’s nothing to do the behaviour because Lee is absolutely a good character.”

Photo: Nurphoto

Fatboy added 20:32 - May 2 Imagine if the boot were on the other foot and we had to rely on Norwich winning at Leeds to give us a chance of promotion. And then hearing that Norwich were changing their keeper and giving a few other fringe players a game!
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pennblue added 20:40 - May 2 Fatboy, it sounds like some of their players have given up, so he is actually giving Leeds more of a chance by fielding players that might be up for giving it a go.
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bobble added 21:49 - May 2 this game may be of no importance at all if leeds lose or draw..........
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Karlosfandangal added 22:30 - May 2 Leeds have a hard game too…..they have to win as long as we get a draw happy day
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PinstripeBlue added 22:57 - May 2 If we play our game we will win
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Tractor_Boy_in_HK added 05:07 - May 3 I thought he sounded straightforward and brutally honest. Some players have quit on him, and he is preparing for next season. He's clearly displeased at the state of the squad, and their attitude. Seems to have little hope of prevailing on Saturday, but you never know.. Like others have said, we have to show respect, remain focused and professional and do the job.

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barrystedmunds added 09:12 - May 3 A point raised on the Leeds game, Martin has said the most important games for them now are the playoffs. He has backed that up by his team selection against Stoke and subsequent result, so I’m not sure that they’ll be overly concerned about the game on Saturday. Of course there’s professional pride to think of and the balance of resting too many of your first 11 but all in all, I’m only expecting Leeds to get the 3 points.

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JewellintheTown added 11:49 - May 3 Am I reading between the lines here by thinking the following? Breitenreiter has to say what keeps him his job. He knows he has to offload players that aren't his or don't want to be here, & might aswell motivate ones that do by giving them their shot. He knows & feels what's at stake for both sides, especially us, but has to be as professional as possible in balancing all that. In his heart, he doesn't want Leeds to go up & neither do his fans, so his heart is in this as a pro. I suspect he wants to win, but also not. He seems to respect & possibly even root for Ipswich under the circumstances, but can't make that obvious. He will get this over & let us go up, albeit with a show fight. I don't expect him or his side to win, but I do expect he won't put himself out of a job for us, neither will their players. Some might have a point to prove, but most will understand our cause. Our lads will go all out for the win, tighten up, be inspired by the crowd, do a proper job & win reasonably comfortably. Huddersfield will be gracious in defeat & we will have a new found respect for them & their supporters. They'll know bittersweet what it means to all & will respect what we've achieved, especially if it gives one final two fingers to their rivals. Only thing the can realistically control. Ok, I'm obviously fantasising & will receive plenty of opposing comments to put me bacj in my place, but I don't think Huddersfield want to spoil our party under the circumstances & up to us to prove that. I don't think they'll be disappointed to lose to us & know it won't be personal. Think they & fans might even celebrate & be happy for us. Ours to lose. Never been a better time to return to the Premiership & be a blue! Only 90+ mins to glory. Scaringly exciting.

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Jollyblue added 23:18 - May 3 Met a coach load of Hudders fans on a stopover in St Albans Spoons on the way to their game at Watford. They were great young lads up for a fun day drinking huge cocktails smoking cigars and enjoying life. Liked them a lot and they will all be at PR enjoying the day and hopefully the ITFC result.
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