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" My thoughts about the Norwich game haven't changed having looked at the stats and the DVD. The first-half was one of our best performances over 45 minutes this season, without a shadow of a doubt, but we didn't take advantage and grab a goal or two in that period. The first ten or fifteen minutes of the second half was the same, but then we conceded a very cheap goal from our own individual error and for the first time this season we looked to lose a little bit of belief.
" That was certainly the case when the second goal went in and in the end it looked a comfortable 3-0, but for at least an hour we were right in the game. However, football is about scoring goals; they scored when they were on top and we didn't. To be honest, I can never criticise the team about scoring goals and we will have games like that - what we have to do is be more resolute as a group and not concede when the opposition are on top, so that we can get a 0-0 from the game.
" It's gone now - we talked about it at length and we all know that our away form has to improve dramatically over the second half of the season, which is something that we are working hard to sort. At the same time, we have to keep our home form up - it would be no good improving the away form if the home record drops off. The aim is to marry the two together.
" Carlisle will be a tough team to beat, especially on their home patch - they are on a good run and have beaten some decent sides at home. We are going up there knowing it will be a tough game - what happened to us last Boxing Day should work as a stark reminder to those who are still here. They will know it will be a tough game as well though. We are looking forward to it. "
" Obviously the weather has made it difficult to get out on the grass, but we do have some terrific facilities here and we have put on some fantastic sessions in the indoor barn at the Academy. We are probably one of the few clubs that have managed to get so much work done. You can't help the weather - you just have to deal with it and train as best you can, which is what we have done.
" We've kept an eye on the progress at Carlisle and we have seen that they have had a bit of snow, but apparently the pitch is fine. The problem for them at the moment is the roads and the surrounding areas. However, the vibes from Carlisle are that they want the game on and they are working as hard as they can to make that happen.
" Us people in the football industry are very well paid and we have a duty to perform, not just to ourselves but to the people inside the Club and the supporters. A career as a footballer doesn't last forever - it soon comes around when you have to look for a career elsewhere and that is when you can enjoy your Christmas. We have to make that sacrifice.
" It's certainly the norm for me. Newcastle United have now had 11 Boxing Day games away from home on the bounce, so I must have been involved in a fair few of those! When I was down at Fulham we used to play a London derby, but it's usual for me to be away on Christmas Day night.The hotels are a bit surreal on that evening - they are always very quiet. That suits us though. We have to be professional and we will travel up to Cumbria on Christmas Day in preparation for the game.
" Our travelling support this season has been absolutely top class; since I came here, the support both home and away has been of the highest quality and we all really appreciate it. Hopefully we will be where we want to be at the end of the season, because they deserve some success. Our tremendous support really does mean a lot to us, so we wish all the fans a very happy Christmas and let's hope the New Year brings us all what we would hope for. "
Meanwhile Town striker Lee Novak commented to the Huddersfield Examiner :
" I would say we will definitely make the top six and, if our away results improve in the way that we want, then we'll be challenging for automatic promotion. With the way we are playing we are confident we can go away to places like Carlisle and win. The conditions will mean it will be a battle, we know that, but we've got people in the squad who are prepared for that battle and we'll be up for it.
" I'm over the moon with the way I'm playing and with the way myself and Jordan Rhodes are gelling. We've got an unbelievable partnership at the moment. We are very good friends off the pitch and, on the pitch, everything is coming good. Hopefully we can help the team to string together a few more wins and then we'll be right at the top of the table where we belong. "
Huddersfield travelled up to Cumbria today injury free ahead of their overnight stay for the match tomorrow. Their only potential change in personnel being the return of Antony Kay after the 27-year old midfielder served out a one-match suspension in Town's 3-0 defeat at Norwich City last weekend.
The referee for tomorrow's match is Karl Evans from Leigh, and he will be assisted down the lines by Bob Roberts from Leyland and Seb Stockbridge from Dunston over in the North East. Meanwhile the fourth official is Scott Duncan who is also from the Tyne and Wear area.