Burton Albion boss Gary Bowyer has recalled the first time he came across Huddersfield Town boss Lee Grant and taken a tongue-in-cheek shot at the Town boss as he looks ahead to Saturday’s encounter, as reported by Yorkshire Live.
It has been 20 years since the pair first met at Derby County.
Opposing Starts To The Season
Burton Albion haven’t won a league match since the opening day victory over Mansfield Town but Bowyer is encouraged by the attitude of his players following last weekend’s home loss to Lincoln City.
“Our next focus is Huddersfield, and I can only be buoyed and energetic by how they come in on the Monday, how they train, and how they’ve been this week.”
On the other hand, Huddersfield Town have made a positive start to the campaign under the first-time boss. Following his appointment over the summer, Grant has guided the Terriers to five wins from their eight League One matches.
Grant A Phenomenal Athlete
As he prepares his side for the test of promotion-chasing Huddersfield, Bowyer acknowledges that being in the opposing dugout to a man he first met as a young player is making him feel his age.
“That fills us with confidence (the players’ attitude) going into a very attractive game against a manager that will age me when I see him, because when I first started coaching at Derby under-17s, Mr Lee Grant was a goalkeeper for the Derby U19s. That will certainly make me realise I’m getting older.”
“I saw him the other week, I went to watch them against Peterborough because we had the weekend off, and he still looks a phenomenal athlete.”
“He went on and had a wonderful career, and the standards that he’ll have learned at all those top clubs, and then to have had the opportunity to coach.”
Bowyer Makes Spending Jibe
In his quest to secure promotion, Grant has brought in no fewer than 14 players over the summer, with that transfer activity prompting Bowyer to quip.
“I did my research – I think I’ve done over 420-430 games, and he’s done about eight or nine, and he’s spent more in one window than I have over my whole career. Not at all (bitter), so I’m going to see if he’s got any spare change on Saturday.”
Writer’s View
This is a clash of the haves versus the have-nots of League One, and a result for Bowyer’s side will be a shock.
He may have made his comment tongue-in-cheek but financially Huddersfield are several levels ahead of their hosts and have far greater expectations.
