Let’s hear it for the boys

Dean Furman (C) is mobbed by Kieran Lee (L) and Ritchie Jones after he scoring.

MIDFIELD maestro Dean Furman believes the home faithful can roar Athletic to victory against high-flying Huddersfield Town at Boundary Park tomorrow.

Lee Clark’s second-placed Terriers, represent one of the sternest tests of the season so far for Paul Dickov’s men.

The visitors will be backed by more than 3,000 followers, but Furman thinks Athletic fans can be the deciding factor.

He said: “We always feed off what the supporters are saying and feeling.

“They make us thrive on the pitch, and hopefully there will be more of the same against Huddersfield.

“One of the reasons it was so gutting to see the Rochdale game abandoned was the fantastic reception we got from our fans at the start of the match.

“They have been great again this season and they can make a difference.”

Furman was disappointed to be left out of the 3-2 FA Cup defeat at Accrington Stanley, but hopes the rest can work in his favour tomorrow if, as expected, he returns to the starting line-up.

“Like any player, I always want to be involved, but it was the manager’s decision and I respect that,” he said.

“I would like to think I can use energy against Huddersfield that I didn’t use against Accrington Stanley.”

A yellow card tomorrow would see Furman receive a one-match ban, having been cautioned four times already this term.

Full-back Kieran Lee is also one booking away from suspension.

But Furman refuses to be distracted by the prospect of an enforced return to the sidelines and is more concerned with adding to his four-goal tally.

He added: “It is important for the rest of us to help out the strikers by getting on the scoresheet.

“If everyone can chip in from all over the pitch, it can only be good for the team.

“We should set ourselves targets, not just for goals but all aspects of the game.”