Lee looks ahead to the visit of Ipswich
Town striker Lee Novak believes that Saturday’s encounter with Ipswich Town is crucial in The Terriers hopes to stay in the npower Championship.
Following Tuesday’s defeat to Nottingham Forest, Town are just two points above the relegation zone – one point below Saturday’s opponents.
But Novak told htafc.com that he believes the hard work starts now in Town’s attempt of avoiding the drop.
“We’ve got 14 games left and need to treat every one of them like a cup final,” Novak stated.
“It’s a very tough league. One win can move you up about four places so it just shows how important it is to get a win as it’s so tight.
“Hopefully we can get some points on the board and go on a run and pull ourselves away from the relegation zone.”
The 24 year-old has scored four league goals his season, his last coming in the 2-2 draw against Blackburn Rovers at the Stadium in November.
“No-one wants to go back to League 1 and I certainly don’t want to have a relegation on my CV. We worked very hard to get into this league, so we don’t want to give away our status in this division that easily,” he said.
Town are just two points above the relegation zone in the npower Championship and Novak recognises the importance of bouncing back straight away.
“Although everyone is hurting about conceding 10 goals in two matches, if we keep thinking about it, it will play on our minds on Saturday as well,” he said.
“There’s no point thinking about it, we’ve just got to put it behind us, get on with things and pick ourselves up with a positive performance against Ipswich.
“Everyone is working hard to eradicate any mistakes and hopefully we can start on Saturday with three points. To get three points on Saturday would be nice but to get on the score sheet as well would be brilliant.”
Novak played 74 minutes in Town’s 6-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Tuesday and admitted that it was hard to take.
“To lose 1-0 is disappointing, but to concede six was shattering for everyone at the Club,” he added.
“We didn’t get the best result on Sunday against Wigan and followed up by a poor result on Tuesday, was very disappointing.
“No-one goes onto the pitch not wanting to put the effort in. It’s just that on the day the opposition are better than you are. I always want to put 100% in and I’m sure everyone else does as well.”
James Vaughan rescued a point for Town at Portman Road in September and Novak recognises the important role he holds within the team.
“Vaughany is brilliant,” he said.
“He leads the line well and we have a good understanding. He is Premier League quality and so is Jermaine Beckford. It was a brilliant finish the other night against Forest.”
Novak’s contract with The Terriers is up at the end of the season, but he has declared his desire to stay in West Yorkshire.
“My main focus at the minute is getting the Club away from the relegation zone. There have been a few conversations about my contract but we’ll just have to see what happens,” he said.
“There’s no pressure on me, but I just want to play and hopefully stay at the Club.”
Novak also praised the support of the fans despite the two disappointing score lines that the team were on the wrong end of in the past week.
“The fans have been brilliant all season, home and away. They have been like a twelfth man to us and I’m sure it will be the same again on Saturday.”
