Reach for the stars

Tony Carss

FORGET talk of simply improving on last season - Athletic should aim for the stars.

That's the verdict of Tony Carss, the former Athletic star who is playing a big role at surprise Championship play-off finalists Huddersfield.

Carss, who reached the play-offs with Athletic under Iain Dowie in 2003, is the head of academy coaching at the John Smith's Stadium and will be watching at Wembley on Monday as the club aim to defeat Reading to reach the Premier League.

The season of success under boss David Wagner comes after a lowly finish of 19th in the Championship the previous year.

And Carss, who lives locally, says that one of the major factors has been an ethos throughout the club that anything is possible.

"There was belief that something could be achieved this year and a big factor has been that the manager and chairman have both preached the idea of "no limits"," said Carss, who is on the Huddersfield staff along with first-team coach and ex-Athletic traineee Andy Hughes.

"If you set a target of finishing 10th or 12th then you can restrict potential.

"With a clear idea of how we were going to do things and with a clear identity established, from there your recruitment becomes very focused.

"You get a really clear idea of what sort of player you require in each position.

"The knowledge of the foreign market was a big factor in terms of getting value for money and another big thing has been the success in the loan market.

"OUTSTANDING"

"Aaron Mooy is arguably the best midfielder in the Championship. The two boys from Chelsea, Kasey Palmer and Izzy Brown, are both outstanding young players who look set to have long careers in the Premier League and Elias Kachunga is our top scorer, but he's also shown how adaptable he is by playing out on the right.

"The training programme is different as it has been aligned with kick-off times and there are double sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The players have bought into it.

"There is a simplicity in how we play and the message to players is simple, clear and consistent.

"There is a clarity all the way through the squad and players know their jobs and the system.

"There are no egos, no idiots, and everyone shares the same sense of purpose.

"We had a good start and the belief and momentum has grown from there.

"If you have a plan, belief and togetherness, then anything can happen."

Carss also agrees with Athletic manager John Sheridan in his belief that relative poverty is not necessarily a barrier, as the club aim to do better than this season's Sky Bet League One finish of 17th.

"The budget is a small part of the picture," he added. "There are countless examples of clubs with bigger budgets who finished below us.

"It's about getting the right player and character. Sometimes, that can be more difficult in the lower leagues. You may have to take a chance sometimes on a player whose temperament has been questioned in the past.

"But ultimately the players have to buy in to and be committed to the vision.

"That was the case when Iain Dowie was at Oldham. You knew then that hard work was a bare minimum and nobody expected any favours."