HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday’s game at the John Smith’s Stadium by delving into their forums.

“The future’s bright if you’re blue and white”, “Surely even the most negative crackpot here will have realised there is no relegation battle, only onwards and upwards”, “We really aren’t a million miles away. Get safe and build for next season”, “Next season will hopefully be very, very good”

The Terriers extended their unbeaten run to three games on Tuesday, coming from being both a goal and a man down to draw at Milton Keynes. This followed two solid wins at home to Wolves and at Forest. They are 13 points clear of the drop-zone and thoughts are starting to turn to next season.

“For the first time in years I feel optimistic about Town”, “What odds on Town for next season and where?”, “Fans should fasten their seat belts and stand by for a roller-coaster next season”, “Next year we will be genuine play-off contenders with a couple of additions and a Wagner pre-season.”

Terriers’ optimism stems from the arrival of David Wagner as head coach in early November after the departure of Chris Powell. Fans backed him during the run of four defeats which preceded this recent upturn in form. “We lack quality. Wagner is doing a great job with the players we have.”

“We all sleep like babies and it’s all down to one man”, “We have genuinely looked like a top-six side since Wagner came in”, “Let the other teams worry about us”, “We are now the brave underdog that has a go”, “The improvement under Wagner is there for all to see, long may it continue.”

David Wagner

“I had lost my spark watching Huddersfield Town. Games seemed like a chore and I didn’t look forward to them, going for the sake of it. Even when we lose now it is entertaining and we have a go. Thank you David Wagner for bringing my spark back watching the team I love.”

“He’s not bad, is he?”, “He’s better than Jurgen Klopp”, “David Wagner is wunderbar.” The German managed Borussia Dortmund’s second team for more than four seasons before switching to West Yorkshire and Terriers have been captivated by his playing style and philosophy.

“If ever there was a time to back a manager this is it. The professionalism he has brought and what he demanded was chalk and cheese compared to what the club is used to. He is definitely showing us the way to go”, “How much more can he do when he finally gets his own players into the squad?”

“I grow more and more confident as time goes on with the new head coach. This guy’s the real deal and long may this buzz I feel in and around match days continue”, “Before Wagner came in we were definitely going down. How he transformed this club in such a short space of time I will never know.”

“The feeling I get with Wagner is that he would make the game 10 minutes longer if he could, where Powell was counting down to the final whistle from the first minute”, “If it is a draw with 15 minutes left, Powell would try to lock the point away but Wagner will risk the point and go for all three.”

Formation

“Anyone thinking of coming back, I can highly recommend it. If nothing else you will get to see 11 players putting a shift in and players who understand what each is supposed to be doing. It’s very encouraging.” Terriers have been encouraged by their “well-drilled, easy on the eye” playing style.

“Wagner has been working with the team on defending high up the pitch in training. It makes perfect sense. Defending should start before real danger is allowed to develop. I love this coach. He’s on a different level”, “Fitness levels are starting to exceed those of normal footballers.”

Many fans believe that the Terriers’ starting XI for their win over Wolves (above) is close to their strongest line-up. Wagner has used Jonathan Hogg to anchor the midfield, altering his partners to suit opponents. Nakhi Wells has blossomed up front, scoring 13 goals in the league campaign so far.

Forest fans were full of praise for their visitors after the Terriers’ win at the City Ground: “We were treated to a very good display of fast, attacking assertive football played by a committed team up for the game. It was just a pity it was Huddersfield who delivered a feast of entertainment.”

“Huddersfield’s manager has got them playing some nice stuff. I’d like us to play the way they do”, “They looked hungrier and aggressive, more positive with the ball and they worked together up and down the pitch.” The coach has been developing an alert, energetic high-pressing brand of football.

“We just lack a bit in the final third.” Terriers’ worry about an over-reliance on Nahki Wells up front and the defence is seen as makeshift especially when Joel Lynch is unavailable. “Our back play seems highly risky at times and I am concerned that Wagner might perceive our defence as good enough.”

“We need to strengthen our central defence as we are vulnerable to high balls and lose our men even with numbers back”, “We look fragile every time a ball is crossed into our area. Other teams know this and are happy to let us huff and puff knowing they will get their chances on the counter.”

Milton Keynes 1 - 1 Huddersfield

“Bloody hell, what a game, what a manager. Funnily enough, last time we went down to 10 men and messed up, Wagner said we had to work on that. Did he ever”, “A great point in the circumstances”, “We have scored in 15 consecutive games and netted 17 goals in the last 15 minutes of a match.”

Alex Revell opened the scoring for the hosts when he headed home a cross from Jonny Williams on 28 minutes and the Terriers’ problems increased with Philip Billing was dismissed for a high challenge on Jake Forster-Caskey four minutes after the break. This was a cue for Wagner to take decisive action.

Terriers felt that Wagner had got the midfield balance wrong with his starting XI (above) as the creative Karim Matmour and Jamie Paterson struggled to dictate play. Fans felt they would have controlled the game partnering Hogg with the defensive Dean Whitehead or tenacious Billing.

With the team a goal down and substitute Billing having been dismissed shortly after half-time, Wagner showed another side to his game by throwing the kitchen sink at Milton Keynes and sending both centre-backs upfield. Mark Hudson provided the assist for Wells’s equaliser on 86 minutes.

“I’m delighted. Never has a draw tasted so sweet”, “Good to know we have a manager who will go for it”, “Credit to Wagner for shoving Lynch and Hudson up top in the second half but his starting XI was all wrong”, “It was all us by the end”, “We threw caution to the wind and got away with it.”

“Aside from the drama, we weren’t right good, were we?” The Terriers’ first half problems exposed a weakness they have without Lynch or Billing in the side. “We need more physicality and height in our front six. If we play Ipswich with a small and lightweight team, they will grind us into the dust.”

Huddersfield 1 - 0 Wolves

“I love a sneaky 1-0 win. The defence is looking tight now”, “Winning the scrappy games is a sign of improvement all round”, “That’s a proper win today, three points like we have rarely got since returning to the Championship”, “The gap to the bottom three in increasing nicely of late.”

Terriers praised the team’s chutzpah when they ground out a win courtesy of a Wells striker on 78 minutes, taking advantage indecisive defending from the visitors. “A poor pitch, poor weather and defensive opponents but we did enough to win”, “Christ, we made heavy work of it in the end.”

“We usually lose these games 1-0”, “Not great but you can never knock a clean sheet and a win”, “Two consecutive clean sheets are welcome signs that something is getting better”, “We might be shaky at the back but not conceding as opposed to shaky and conceding three of four.”

Nottingham Forest 0 - 2 Huddersfield

“Excellent, excellent win and very much deserved, well done Town”, “Sat on the bus home and we thoroughly deserved it. Forest came back at us in the second half but we got the second goal when we needed it”, “Billing is a star already. I have not cheered a goal like that for ages. What a player.”

Huddersfield opened the scoring when Forest defender Matt Mills turned a Tommy Smith cross into his own net on 14 minutes and Philip Billing’s superb strike sealed victory six minutes from the final whistle had visiting Terriers jubilant. “It was stunning goal to finish off a superb team performance.”

Goalkeepers and Defenders

“Jed Steer is the best keeper we have had on our pitch for a long time. I loved Alex Smithies but I believe Steer to be a better all-round keeper. I wouldn’t say no to signing him permanently.” The 23-year-old is on loan from Aston Villa for the remainder of the season.

“Thank Steer for two brave blocks at the end of the Milton Keynes game”, “I prefer the look of Joe Murphy is goal who talks more to his back four”, “Steer is a better shot-stopper than Murphy but Murphy’s distribution is way better and that’s a big plus point given the way we play.”

“I like Steer and think he is quality. His kicking is an issue because Wagner wants him to play it out. At least half a dozen times he wanted to smash the ball into next week but he’s simply not allowed to unless it is utterly the last option. When any keeper is forced to play out there will be errors.”

“I’m a big fan of Tommy Smith but he is a centre-back naturally and it shows.” The 23-year-old youth product has played at right-back recently. “He gets forward and supports his winger but his use of the ball is poor. The number of times he has passed back when in a crossing position is criminal.”

“Smith is a capable defender but especially when we are at home he has to overlap but he looks like a fish out of water when he gets over the halfway line”, “He offers Hudson at centre-back protection for the ball into the channel”, “He links well with his winger but does need to work on his delivery.”

“Most Middlesbrough fans say that James Husband is good enough to be their left-back but George Friend edges it ever so slightly for them. He is a decent player.” The 22-year-old joined last month on an emergency loan from the Teessiders. “He made a fantastic overlap for our goal against Wolves.”

“Husband is an attacking full-back so we need to be able to camp further up the field and utilise him more going forwards”, “There have been times when he seemed unsure whether to bomb on or sit back but that’s about him getting used to our system”, “He complements our system well.”

“Jason Davidson has made a heap of defensive mistakes costing us goals. The 24-year-old ex-Baggie left-back “is just not a solid defender and it would take an idiot not to see him as a major weakness”, “He whips in a good cross but gets dragged into the box and is never aware of players behind him.”

“Martin Cranie is a good versatile option.” The 29-year-old ex-Barnsley man started at centre-back at Milton Keynes but is seen as utility cover for defensive positions. “He cannot get forward enough at right-back which is vital in this new system but I would happily keep him on as a centre-back.”

Joel Lynch

“Lynch is the most complete centre-back I have ever seen in a Town shirt.” The 28-year-old ex-Forest man “is not captain material but a bit of a maverick”, “He’s a monster when he is not sulking”, “The number one priority this summer would be to find a good centre-half to play alongside Lynch.”

“Joel is probably our best signing since Jordan Rhodes”, “A class act”, “On form he is one of the best defenders in this division and coped well with Wolves’ attackers. He needs a few less rushes of blood to the head”, “The guy is in sensational form now”, “He’s a better defender partnered by Hudson.”

Mark Hudson

“Hudson is a good, experienced professional who reads the game well but is painfully slow, leading him to being beaten for pace easily or conceding freekicks in dangerous areas. He has no spring in his legs and is prone to errors. He has looked a stand-out weak link in an awful lot of games.”

The 33-year-old former Cardiff centre-back “has got very static now, but Wagner sees a lot in him in terms of his leadership on and off the field”, “He rarely jumps for headers. It looks like he’s glued to the floor so he tries to ease his opponent out of the way. It rarely works and he often gets beaten.”

“It’s weird because we struggle without Hudson but he looks a liability when playing”, “He’s not the quickest but is obviously the organiser”, “His improvement of late has been outstanding”, “He can read the game well but physically isn’t up to it”, “I don’t expect him to be first choice next season.”

Central Midfielders

Danish midfielder Philip Billing’s appeal against his red card at Milton Keynes was dismissed and he will be suspended for Saturday’s game. The 19-year-old is a highly-rated midfielder who combines grit and determination with a dynamic forward dimension to his game and he will be sorely missed.

“Kyle Dempsey likes to get forward but also strengthens the midfield”, “Wagner has said he will not be ready for a playmaker role for a couple of years.” The 20-year-old ex-Carlisle man “has the engine and tenacity to play the holding role”, “He rocks when going forward and is strong, fast and direct.”

“Karim Matmour is a very intelligent player who finds space and is confident on the ball.” The 30-year-old Algeria international and former Kaiserslautern player “is not the quickest but has a trick or two in his locker”, “The lad clearly can play. He looks slightly off the pace but that’s to be expected.”

“A couple of times against Wolves Matmour put his foot on the ball and time slowed around him. He has great composure, finds space, picks out a good pass and is confident on the ball”, “He settled us down in the game when we were flapping around”, “A very shrewd signing by Wagner.”

“Dean Whitehead is definitely up there for me.” The 34-year-old ex-Teessider “uses his head and all his experience. I love a midfielder with a good brain. Oh, and he just relishes a tackle and defending a lead”, “I cannot recall one mislaid pass from him”, “He rarely ever gives the ball away.”

“Whitehead has discipline, hard work and nous on the pitch, a clever player and a leader”, “In the darker times this season he has been immense, a throwback to yesteryear professionals”, “His ability to read a game and his positioning make him stand out”, “A superb player and a brilliant signing.”

Jamie Paterson

“Keep it up Jamie”, “He is a real talent and a joy to watch. He loves it here and gives us something special. If we lose this lad we will regret it.” The 24-year-old is on a season-long loan from Forest. “He has great touch, great passing and super movement”, “A bright player with good feet.”

“The lad moves forward with his head up, has a good touch and he gets in the gaps. He will make a challenge and can score”, “The sort of player you build a team around. He works hard, scores goals, is quick and skilful and is still a young lad”, “He is happy playing in a system that suits him.”

“Paterson certainly shows touches of class but I haven’t seen him effective for a whole game. He does seem to disappear for periods. He needs to be a bit more consistent and a bit less lightweight”, “He has done well but can drift out of games. It’s probably what stops him being a shoo-in starter.”

Jonathan Hogg

“I have been critical of Hogg is the past but this current system of play is absolutely perfect for him. He is never going to be the best passer of a ball but he has been great.” The 27-year-old ex-Watford man is “in the form of his career”, “A natural presser, winning tackles that he has no right to win.”

“Hogg was immense at Milton Keynes. Without him we could have been three down at half-time”, “He is the only player we have who is a bit of a nasty bastard, a very under-rated player in a ‘nice’ team and a good organiser as well”, “Some of the tackles he’s throwing in are absolutely ferocious.”

“Someone always has to do some of the dirtier stuff”, “Get it and give it, and if you can’t get it then hold the opposition up”, “He never stops running”, “An unsung hero”, “If Hogg could cut out those couple of dodgy passes he has most games he could really thrive under Wagner.”

Wide Midfielders

“I never thought I’d be sat at a Town game with people chanting ‘Come on Elvis’”, “Elvis Manu had the Wolves defence all shook up.” The 22-year-old is on loan from Brighton. “He doesn’t look like he would blow over in a stiff wind”, “He has made a big difference, a good solid option off the bench.”

“Joe Lolley has been superb starting under Wagner”, “He is Wagner’s biggest success. He looked an isolated one-trick pony out wide but he has been reborn in this system and there’s room for improvement if he gets his head up more, a terrific improvement and long may he prosper.”

“A joy to watch.” The 23-year-old ex-Kidderminster wide man “is quickly becoming a main creative threat. Lolley can improve so it’s very exciting. He was Chris Powell’s biggest blind spot, no doubt”, “He has definitely put Powell to shame after Powell said he could only play wide right and cut in.”

Harry Bunn

“Bunn is the most erratic player I have known. He can be really effective in creating chances, some games he is great at turning and running at the defence. The next minute he inexplicably falls over or the ball is bouncing 10 yards off him”, “He can go from brilliant to frustrating in the blink of an eye.”

“Bunn never hides”, “I love him to bits.” The 23-year-old ex-Manchester City youngster “is like a schoolboy running around the playground in his little black boots”, “Some weeks he bounces through tackles, others he doesn’t. He doesn’t try to beat players with skill, he just runs through them.”

“When Bunn gets the ball it always feels like something good could happen”, “The inability to look up is a worry”, “He wastes so much possession”, “As frustrating as he is with his finishing, decision-making or awareness, you would not bet against Wagner coaching him into a very good player.”

Strikers

“The burden for scoring goals should not fall on one player”, “We rely on Nahki Wells too much and the club needs to recruit at least one quality striker to sometimes give him a break.” There is wide agreement among Terriers on the need to sign a second top line striker over the summer.

Nahki Wells

“The biggest compliment I can give Nahki is that early in the season we looked useless with one up front and couldn’t ever see him in that role. Right now he’s scoring and playing the role well. Keep it up lad”, “He was poor at the start of the season but since Wagner arrived he has been brilliant.”

The 25-year-old ex-Bradford frontman “is stronger on the ball this season but can still get bullied. We are now playing a system where the supporting midfielders and playing and pressing further up the field so he’s not so isolated”, “He’s no Rhodes but is likely to finish on 20 goals this season.”

“What fans don’t realise is that his game has been raised a whole level. He is linking up play and is hungry for goals. Without his 13 league goals, where would we be?”, “His work-rate and overall game is miles better than last season. Add to that the goals and we are looking at a very decent striker.”

Terriers’ Views on ITFC and the Game

“Ipswich will be a tough, physical game”, “Patience will be required. It won't be a goal fest, McCarthy sets up to not get beaten first and foremost especially away from home so they won't be coming at us in waves you can be sure of that. We mustn't allow ourselves to get bullied.”

“Probably not a pretty game to watch but it might be interesting in a 'clash of styles' way”, “I expect a tight Wolves type game, going for a draw but hope we can nick it.” Terriers are expecting stubborn resistance from us on Saturday but most are confident of at least extending their unbeaten run.

“It’s never pretty playing a Mick McCarthy team. Ipswich will be compact and hard to break down. We will probably have most of the ball but it’s what we do with it that will be the key. We will also need to be strong at the back as Ipswich will test us with plenty of high, direct balls forward.”

“This is the type of game we usually struggle in but we passed a similar test against Wolves so I am reasonably confident we can do it again against the Tractor Boys. We just need to make sure we move the ball quickly to create space and break down their defensive shape.”

“It won't be pretty and we'll have to be patient, but if we can get the first goal the whole game changes and becomes more open. This is a game I look to with confidence - something I am getting used to under Wagner - rather than the usual trepidation.”

“I've been confident the last few games but I'm less confident with this one. I can see Ipswich playing in a similar way to Wolves but being less wasteful. I hope we find a way to grind out a result again”, “Ipswich have lost their last three and will be determined to grind out a result. It won't be pretty.”

Websites

The busiest Terriers’ message-board is the lively and informative Down At The Mac.

@HarryFromBath

Photo: Action Images

Bluebell added 12:07 - Feb 26 Great report as always Harry. Earlier in the season I was really positive and went off to games thinking "We can easily win this". Even up to a couple of months ago I was saying the same especially at away games. Now I think I will be really happy with a draw. What has changed? The injuries obviously haven't helped but other teams below us seem to be getting better while we are in a rut. A win could kick-start a winning run again so fingers crossed!

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TR11BLU added 12:18 - Feb 26 Top stuff again Harry, thanks. Another tough one, I think a draw is the best we can hope for. Looking forward to the game tho and hoping I dont see Well's tear our defence a new one, but I'm worried...
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hoppy added 13:07 - Feb 26 While they're cock-a-hoop at having a 3 match 'unbeaten run' (note: not a 3 match 'winning run'), they had previously had a run of 4 straight defeats. We've had 3 on the bounce, so a win could set us up for getting back on track too - with 14 games to go, the season is far from over, and just need to read some of the comments that Huddersfield fans have made with a couple of wins and a draw to see how a mindset can change. COYB. Thanks for the hard work that keeps you so busy, as ever, Harry.

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ericclacton added 14:09 - Feb 26 Well done Harry. My view on this game is this, at the moment we look completely bewildered as a team and the games I've watched at home we have been overall below average. We need a bit of luck to come our way to get a result, but I'm not expecting anything from this fixture.
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LankHenners added 14:22 - Feb 26 Thanks Harry - a team with great energy and pressing who can play football as well. Hmm, we could be in for a very tough game. We'll have to go on what they fear - dragging the game into a physical scrap and power our way through. I'm not anticipating it being a great spectacle to watch regardless of the score but hopefully the ever-growing feeling of a need for a win in a bad spell will produce something good. It happened at Rotherham, coincidentally the last away game I went to, so who's to say it won't happen again tomorrow?

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jas0999 added 18:21 - Feb 26 Thanks Harry another excellent report. However, as each week goes by it's disappointing to read what others think to us. Basically a boring, negative hoof ball team. No entertainment. No football. Just everything people hate to watch. Shame.
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GiveusaWave added 22:02 - Feb 26 Another great report Harry. Thank you for spending the time in putting it all together. S
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