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

“Win, lose or draw, this is a fantastic time to support Huddersfield Town”, “All season we have been going to places which have been graveyards for us and playing with a belief rarely seen before”, “We are past being flash in the pan or overachievers”, “We are here on merit, nothing humble about it.”

“This is a moment in time to seize and not throw away.” Huddersfield go into Saturday’s game fifth in the table and keen to get their campaign back on track after a 2-0 loss last Saturday away to promotion rivals Sheffield Wednesday, a reverse which ended an eight-game undefeated run.

Fans are delighted with how the season has unfolded. “The reality is that we have won nowt yet and neither have the other teams but our psychology should be around the fact that we have avoided what many punters were saying at the start of the season. From here on in, everything is a bonus.”

“We have a proud tradition at this club. We have had to kiss a few frogs in recent years but maybe the next two or three years could be the most pivotal in the last half-century”, “We have stretched everyone’s imagination and it has been a blast. I’m confident we’ll be knocking on the door in May.”

David Wagner

“We used to be terrified every time we came up against a team that spent loads of brass. Then we got a manager who sees every game as 11 v 11, who inspires a team which has some shining lights but mainly has hungry players following a plan. When it doesn’t work, he makes no excuses.”

“In David Wagner we trust.” The 45-year-old arrived in November 2015, having managed Borussia Dortmund’s second team. “It’s the whole package, tactical awareness, management skills and his sports science understanding. We’re only just starting to understand how good this bloke is.”

Wagner has been praised for his high number of astute signings, his ability to instil confidence in his players, a rotation policy which has seen him get the fullest use out of his squad and especially for developing a high-pressing style of play which the whole squad has successfully embraced.

“Every team has weaknesses no matter how much money they have spent. Wagner pokes his finger into these wounds and exploits opponents better than we have ever seen”, “All of our players have a common denominator, David Wagner. He certainly knows how to get the best out of these players.”

Formation

“The way we play is fantastic to watch but it requires a lot of energy and industry.” Town have built a reputation for playing high-energy pressing football but fans have noted Wagner’s pragmatism when circumstances dictate. A more patient approach yielded a late winner at Wigan on January 2nd.

“We are not a counter-attacking breakaway team. We haven’t been this season and won’t be under Wagner. We build up from the back”, “When we go a goal up we are as good, if not better than most teams at holding that lead, but we have to get that lead first. It can be a long day if teams sit off us.”

“When the pattern of the game does not suit us, all that happens is that we continue to struggle and do little”, “When we go behind, we don’t seem to know what to do about it”, “We need some more variety in our game. We have to be able to mix up what we do and not just go for a cavalry charge.”

Saturday’s starting XI (above) at Hillsborough was set out in the familiar three midfielders and one up front formation which Wagner has adopted. Keeper Danny Ward makes fans nervous, but full-back Tommy Smith is a threat on their more dangerous right flank with a high number of assists.

Holding midfielder Jonathan Hogg has been absent since picking up a knock in a New Year’s Eve win over Blackburn. Most Terriers believe his partnership with playmaker Aaron Mooy brings out the best in both players, giving Mooy the time and space to dictate play from further back in midfield.

“We have limited attacking options”, “If we had started the season with an effective frontman we would be on the coat tails of Newcastle and Brighton right now”, “We have been crying out for too long for a proper out-and-out lethal goalscorer”, “Where is Jordan Rhodes when you need him?”

Huddersfield have failed to score more than two goals in any league game or indeed win any league game by more than one goal so the need for a striker to replace or complement Nahki Wells is seen as a high priority this January. Elias Kachunga has led the line but usually starts in a wider role.

Finding a player to operate centrally behind Wells may be an issue on Saturday. Jack Payne was sent off against the Owls and Kasey Palmer has returned to parent club Chelsea for to have a hamstring pull treated. Fellow Chelsea loanee Izzy Brown only arrived on January 7th and may switch inside.

The Terriers’ lack of striking options was best highlighted (below) at full-time at Hillsborough last Saturday when Wagner was reduced to sending centre-halves Michael Hefele and Mark Hudson up front with the side both a goal and a man down. The Owls added a late second goal to seal victory.

“Being honest, Hudson and Hefele up front again after three-quarters of a game not producing much in attack is bordering on silly”, “Both centre-halves had chances to equalise in the last few minutes but couldn’t. We have been desperate for another striker option at the least since the summer.”

Sheffield Wednesday 2 — 0 Huddersfield

“Game over, there’s still a lot of the season to go. Nothing has been anywhere near decided yet, chin up and we move on”, “Turning possession into chances is our problem”, “This highlights our lack of a goalscorer. We dominated the possession and the game and then — bam — at the other end.”

After a scoreless first half in which Town controlled much of the play, the Owls took the lead from a Ross Wallace strike on 54 minutes. Jack Payne was dismissed for “jumping into a tackle” on 70 and Fernando Forestieri added a second for the hosts with a tap-in on the counter in stoppage time.

“We don’t really have much of a Plan B when teams sniff us out aside from shoving the centre-backs up front”, “Sheffield Wednesday showed how to beat us. They let us have all the possession, then turned up the heat and attacked. We passed it about and kept it but didn’t look like scoring.”

“All we are saying is give us a striker.” Many Town fans felt that they would have equalised if they had striking options on the bench. “We are so short up front”, “Our two chances fell to two centre-halves we had to throw up front”, “Fifth place in the league with a goal difference of zero says it all.”

Huddersfield 4 — 0 Port Vale (FA Cup Third Round)

“I didn’t think it would be possible to be bored watching Town win 4-0 but my God, that was one of the dullest games I have watched for a long time”, “You have got to feel for the Port Vale fans. They brought a decent following to watch their side not even have a go”, “Their team offered nothing.”

“A bit too easy today.” Jack Payne opened the scoring on 28 minutes finishing off a tidy move and a deflected Kasey Palmer shot on 73 doubled the hosts’ lead. Harry Bunn added a third with a curled effort on 80 minutes before Payne scored his second four minutes later to finish off an easy win.

“We have gone full-on Barcelona with no strikers.” Wagner rotated his starting XI (above) for this cup tie. “No banana skins here, I love to see us putting the underdogs to the sword”, “It is just a shame we can’t include the scoreline in our league goal difference”, “A very professional job.”

Wigan 0 — 1 Huddersfield

“An awful game but three valuable points”, “Wigan were very negative. The home side, yet they put everyone behind the ball. It takes a brave manager to do that in front of his own fans”, “Wigan didn’t create a chance. We created two and scored one of them”, “To be honest no team deserved to win.”

“Not a great performance but we ground out a win”, “That was one of our worst performances of the season.” Nahki Wells won the game for the visitors after following up on 80 minutes after Wigan keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen could only parry a powerful Elias Kachunga shot into his path.

“Changes as expected”, “I didn’t expect seven of them”, “Hell’s teeth, that’s too many.” Fans raised eyebrows when the starting line-up (above) was announced. Wagner altered the side heavily in the last game of the Christmas run, resting the back four which had played Blackburn two days earlier.

“Wagner said it was his intention to win the game in the last quarter. If that genuinely was the plan, then it was brilliant”, “He was aware that we were mugged earlier in the season playing openly and expansively in our home game against Wigan, so I don’t blame him for his tactics at their place.”

Goalkeepers and Defenders

“Danny Ward is a poor keeper and most Town fans know it. He doesn’t save much, his distribution isn’t great, he doesn’t command his area or come off his line and is poor at set pieces.” The 23-year-old Liverpool loanee “is too static and doesn’t boss his area well enough for the level he plays at”.

“Ward is too slow moving the ball out and slow with his decision-making”, “He is just so infuriatingly slow with the ball”, “He doesn’t make bad mistakes but any half-decent strike has a chance of going in”, “He hasn’t pushed on and has progressively looked less confident as the season has progressed.”

“Tommy Smith has come on massively this season, particularly going forward. He looks a bit like a Rolls Royce up and down the wing now.” The 24-year-old right-back and youth product “has been a revelation. Last season I would have driven him away myself but his transformation is spectacular.”

“Smith’s first-touch crossing is why he leads our team in assists”, “His first-time crossing is good but when he has to dribble and think about crosses he can be hesitant and they are a poorer standard”, “Last season he lacked faith in himself never hitting crosses first time but lately he has been superb.”

“Martin Cranie has become a solid rotation option.” The 30-year-old former Barnsley right-back “has aerial strength, pace, tackling comfort on the ball, experience and leadership”, “He’s a steady utility defender but definitely better at right-back than in the centre”, “He is easily our paciest defender.”

Martin Cranie and Chris O'Grady

“Chris Lowe is less of an attacking threat than Tommy Smith.” The 27-year-old ex-Kaiserslautern left-back “is decent at keeping his position but poor in the air”, “Lowe is a solid player who is used more as a distraction when attacking to pull defenders away. He receives the ball far less than Smith.”

“Lowe is one-footed and hesitant”, “He is not getting forward as much as he was in early starts this season. He always likes to cut inside and his right foot is very weak”, “He has been pretty solid this season”, “Lowe is a quality player but he is very susceptible to aerial balls at the back post.”

“Tareiq Holmes-Dennis is another work-in-progress but I’m starting to like him.” The 21-year-old ex-Charlton left-back “is firm in the tackle and positive going forward”, “He seemed to tire very easily against Port Vale and kept losing his right winger when he pulled wide. He’s not fully match fit.”

Tareiq Holmes-Dennis

“Jan Stankovic is excellent in possession but he lacks the physicality to be a regular in the side at the moment.” The 21-year-old Slovenian is on loan from Borussia Dortmund. “He’s a centre-half who is able to step out with the ball at his feet. He is still getting too tight to his attacker but he will learn.”

“Mark Hudson uses his experience and know-how to keep a disciplined back four which denies space in behind them.” The 34-year-old former Bluebird “is a good experienced professional centre-back but he hasn’t got the legs any more. We don’t leave him isolated as the last man in our system.”

Mark Hudson

“Hudson is weak in the air and slow over the ground”, “His tactical fouls further upfield often save us from being exposed”, “We lose the ability to bring the ball out when he plays. He doesn’t half give the ball away”, “His coming on as a striker says all you need to know about this transfer window.”

“The whole ground rises and excitement levels go up as soon as Michael Hefele enters the field”, “It is as if he is making his international debut every time he comes on.” The 26-year-old ex-Dynamo Dresden man “has the presence of a giraffe and the power of a lion. He frequently goes walkabout.”

“The Hef should be kept behind glass and used only in emergencies”, “He goes off on mad surging runs leaving players in his wake”, “He got a right blast from Wagner after one of those runs”, “Hefele is some kind of force I don’t quite understand”, “There is no doubt that he is in love with football.”

Christopher Schindler

“Schindler make the game look easy because he reads the game well and is an intelligent footballer”, “He’s a very good reader of the ball and often puts in timely tackles”, “He cruises through games but is still adapting to the physical battles which referees allow here”, “A unruffled composed defender.”

Christopher Schindler scoring against Town

The 26-year-old ex-TSV 1860 Munich centre-back “has technical ability but I would feel more assured with someone next to him who is strong and who has a bit of pace”, “He’s composed and very good on the ball but he’s not very quick, weak in the air and he finds the physical challenge tough going.”

Central Midfielders

“Dean Whitehead needs to be used when we need to shore things up but not in a game where we are going all out to win.” The 35-year-old ex-Stoke and Middlesbrough man “is a good player with some outstanding games, but his lack of mobility has seemed more apparent that it has in the past”.

Leon Best v Dean Whitehead

“If Whitehead plays I expect the opposition to get any players they have with pace to run straight down the middle at him. It’s frightening how slow he looks and is a booking waiting to happen”, “He takes the momentum out of our play and kills the game. We become very one-paced and sideways.”

“Philip Billing lacks drive, energy and industry and is lost in the holding role. Play him further forward or don’t play him at all.” The 20-year-old Danish youth product’s “passing is a delight when he pings the ball around, but he needs a rocket up his rear at times. He’s so laid back he’s almost horizontal.”

“Billing doesn’t impress as a holding player. The back four lack protection when teams counter-attack and he leaves oceans of space”, “He is unsure as to what he should be doing and lacks the strength to play the Hogg role”, “He has more attacking presence than Whitehead if we need to push on.”

“Izzy Brown has settled in well and looks part of the furniture.” The 20-year-old was on loan from parent club Chelsea at Rotherham for the first half of the season before switching to the Terriers this month. “He looked a handful in his debut against Port Vale, passing nicely and looking mobile.”

“Brown likes to drop his shoulder, spin and go”, “His link-up play is good and we seem more mobile in attack with him playing”, “It’s no secret that our final ball has been somewhat lacking. It looks like we have signed somebody who is more than capable of playing excellent final balls in every game.”

Jonathan Hogg

“Hogg’s defensive work in general play is key to our success. One of the reasons we have so much of the ball is because he snaps around to win it back. He has his limitations and sticks to playing simple passes, but when we lose the ball in midfield, he wins it back quickly and is always in the thick of it.”

The 28-year-old former Watford midfielder “is immense, the perfect player to play beside Mooy and teach him the English game”, “He’s a necessity as he is fundamental to our pressing game”, “An unsung hero who allows the team to function as it does”, “Nobody sums up the word ‘Terrier’ better than Hogg.”

Aaron Mooy

“Seeing Mooy week, in week out makes you realise just how good top players are”, “He is the glue that holds us this team together, the metronome, the tick that makes us tock”, “A breath of fresh air”, “We need an extra midfielder to maintain our usual possession style when he doesn’t play.”

The 26-year-old Australia international and Manchester City loan signing “is our creative midfielder who assists and scores”, “He needs good movement ahead of him to get best use out of his telling passes”, “He’s integral to how we play and on a totally different level to everyone on the pitch.”

“Mooy looked dead on his feet against Wigan”, “He was off form against the Owls, having the ball taken off his foot twice with him napping”, “Without Hogg, he is a lightweight version of himself”, “The only question mark is Aaron’s lack of pace, which would stand out at Premier League level.”

Wide Midfielders

“Harry Bunn seems to have lost his way.” The 24-year-old ex-Manchester City youth man “should be nowhere near the starting XI after his performance against Wigan”, “He is way off the pace. He looks lost at times, he has no pace so cannot get back to defend and cannot tackle when he does go back.”

Harry Bunn

“Having Joe Lolley back after his foot injury is a real bonus. He adds skill and endeavour to the side.” The 24-year-old ex-Kidderminster man “was exactly what we needed and he caused Wigan problems when he came on”, “We need his attacking flair and he will give a different dimension to our play.”

“Lolley’s problem is keeping fit. It’s no secret he has struggled with fitness since coming to Town and being in the full-time environment”, “He does the defensive job solidly, making nicely timed and well weighted challenges”, “He gives us a spark but now needs games. He will be like a new signing.”

Rajiv Van La Parra (RVP)

“RVP is a good winger at this level, a handful for opponents when on his game. His final product is not always there but he hurts the other team causing them problems and making them panic. This creates space for others”, “Torments opponents”, “He’s difficult to play against and tiring to chase.”

The 25-year-old former Wolves man “is a great player running with the ball. We just need him to add more goals and assists to his game”, “A linchpin in the team, he always gives opponents something to think about, making space for creative central players to pick it up and do something better.”

Strikers

“What a shift Elias Kachunga puts in every week.” The 24-year-old loan signing from Ingolstadt “is a class act. There is some power about him when he gets motoring. The ball seems to stick to him in the tightest pf spaces”, “I live his enthusiasm, passion, energy, clever runs and awesome work rate.”

“Kachunga has strength, tricks, power and a first-class attitude”, “He can hold and guard the ball well for such a small lad”, “He has a phenomenal work-rate, plenty of ability and sharp around the box”, “He is super-fit, mobile, has a good touch and a great attitude. He’s a grafter and has goals in him.”

Nahki Wells

“Nakhi’s goals have won some important points in recent weeks. He chases well and his attitude has improved but his control is not sharp enough when the ball is played into his feet”, “He has to do more. He often takes two touches to get it under control by which time his marker is all over him”.

The 26-year-old ex-Bradford man “gets dragged too far away and doesn’t keep his position”, “In this system there’s no room for goal hanging. Wagner wants him deep or wide”, “His effort, movement and positioning outside the box are fine but he will never be a winner in a crowded penalty area.”

Terriers’ Views on ITFC and the Game

“We should be beating the likes of Ipswich but it won't be an easy game”, “No disrespect to Ipswich but if we can't beat a team as poor as there playing at the moment we really should be preparing for life in the Championship for certain next season”, “A must-win given some of the games coming up.”

“I was at the away game at Portman Road, a great three points and an even better day out. I hope for another three points to get us under way again. I'm going for a 3-1 Huddersfield win. Ipswich will make a scrap of it but I feel our class will shine through and get us across the line.”

Most Terriers are confident of victory based on the relative performances of both teams this season and having watched our display against Lincoln on television. Their less optimistic fans are suspicious of Tuesday night’s showing and believe we will be a difficult and stubborn challenge.

“In years gone by when a team played poorly and lost to a non-league side you just knew they would beat us next. This isn't the case now, I hope”, “Ipswich did manage to win at Hillsborough and Derby but they haven't won two league games in a row this season”, “I would take a 1-0 win now.”

“Ipswich will park the bus and anything they can get their hands on”, “It won’t be an easy game, they will have every player behind the ball”, “It could be a very frustrating watch with their likely tactics and us missing our most creative threats”, “Remember last season, it was all us but they won 1-0.”

They are nervous of any aerial threat we might offer. “Ipswich sign a new 6ft 5in striker. I wonder what their new tactic will be”, “Ipswich's tactic will be to win throw-ins near our box, Knudsen to hurl it onto the head of the new 6ft 5in striker”, “Aerial bombardment and route one football.”

“Ipswich are poor except for the young lad Tom Lawrence. Lincoln can win this.” Terriers were pretty scathing about us after watching Tuesday night’s FA Cup game. “I can't wait to see how deep Ipswich are going to be on Saturday if they are playing this deep and on the counter against Lincoln.”

Lawrence v Huddersfield

“Lawrence seems to be their only goal threat”, “How bad is their centre-back, Berra is it? I hope he plays Saturday”, “I hope they all play on Saturday”, “Yes, I was thinking three or four against this lot”, “They cannot possibly play that badly again. We will have to work very hard on Saturday. “

“We will have to be patient as they will be well set up but our quality will tell”, “I can see what is coming. We'll have 70 per cent possession with numerous shots on goal but will still somehow be on the receiving end of a 1-0 loss. Typical Huddersfield, typical Mick McCarthy.”

Websites

The busiest Terriers’ message-board is the friendly and knowledgeable Down at the Mac.

@HarryFromBath

Photo: Action Images

Miles added 12:19 - Jan 20 Fantastic as always Harry! Very interested to see what the response will be from Tuesday night. Hopefully the players are all fired up and ready to try and restore some pride!
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northernblues added 12:26 - Jan 20 This article needs to be read by everyone at itfc!
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IpswichT62OldBoy added 12:27 - Jan 20 Very interesting to hear how others see us. They don't seem to think very much of us, or our style, or our tactics, but then neither do we any more. Thanks Harry lovely job, as ever.
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bennyitfc added 12:27 - Jan 20 I think he has to go for it, he has no other option surely? As stubborn as he is he won't want to give the fans more excuses. I am attending Brighton v Sheff Weds tonight with a Wednesday fan...can see myself being very envious of the football on display.
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blueblood66 added 12:33 - Jan 20 3-0 Huddersfield
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blackcat added 12:35 - Jan 20 Seriously would anyone fear this team
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Cloddyseedbed added 12:39 - Jan 20 Great read as usual Harry. Watched the game against Huddersfield at home and was very impressed with them as a team, also when I've watched them on TV. Seem a very well organised team with as you've said great tactical awareness. Wagner is a great manager and seems a really nice bloke who is getting a great response from his players. No real prima- donna's in his team either. I would love to know how much the squad was to assemble and what their wage bill is compared with our club. What a difference between our 2 clubs now, compared to a few years ago. Huddersfield on the up Ipswich in total decline. I wonder what Wagner would make of our set up if we were lucky enough to get him in as our next manager? Before anyone responds, I know no likely-hood of that ever happening. Do I fancy a backlash from Ipswich after the woeful cup exit at Lincoln, no, but I'd love to be proved wrong. I think I'm like a lot of supporters waiting for the end of the season, when a change is expected, which is sad considering we are only in January .

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Radlett_blue added 12:41 - Jan 20 Huddersfield may be right to be slightly wary of us, given our habit of a very poor performance being followed by a decent one, & vice versa. Not expecting much out of the game, especially with our injury list, but if we can keep them out until half time, the sort of game Town might just sneak 1-0.
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LankHenners added 12:43 - Jan 20 Thanks Harry, although I have one comment: “You have got to feel for the Port Vale fans. They brought a decent following to watch their side not even have a go”, “Their team offered nothing.” Are you sure you didn't take this from a Lincoln forum and type "Port Vale" instead of "Ipswich" by mistake?! A very tough game tomorrow and a point would be a good result regardless of where we are in the league or how we're playing, but our inconsistency points to a loss in the league but hopefully we can do what the fear and have a reaction to Tuesday to prove we're not that hopeless. I fear comments about our humiliation on TV is going to be a common theme on opposition forums in the coming weeks.

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ArnieM added 12:46 - Jan 20 I'd say the Terriers fans have pretty much summed us up correctly. Can't argue with their opinions.
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jdtractor96 added 13:09 - Jan 20 I'll be amazed if we get anything out of this game. David Wagner seems to be a really impressive manager and I suppose, with him being at Dortmund too, learnt a lot from Klopp. They sound a really exciting team full of spirit, energy and pace - just like Liverpool. I am jealous...
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Edmundo added 13:24 - Jan 20 I went to the cup game v Vale (with a Vale supporting mate - makes you appreciate what little we've got -some good memories!) and Jack Payne was the obvious danger man. Weakest link was definitely the keeper: we could just route one it and see. Nothing to lose, and we need 5 wins to be safe and then say bye bye to MM.
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Kuqicoo added 14:11 - Jan 20 A great read as always. Just sad how we are viewed by other fans. I long for the day we shake off that reputation..
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goat_man added 14:28 - Jan 20 The thing I find most interesting is their managers philosophy that every game starts as 0-0 and it doesnt matter who they are playing, or how much money they have spent or what reputation their opponents have, they go out there to win. By contrast our lot spend all week being forced to study the opponents strengths, then hear in the media the manager praising the opponents and then sent out to play defensively. It's no wonder our lot look petrified as soon as we take the field.

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dalianwasexciting added 15:23 - Jan 20 I am going tomorrow...luckily its only about 90 minutes each way for me...the question is should I go from the pub to the ground.....
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MattinLondon added 16:17 - Jan 20 Thanks Harry for a great read — interesting stuff. When I saw Huddersfield down here I wasn't overly impressed — just seemed like a slightly above average team playing against a bang average one. But according to some Huddersfield fans I spoke to on the train down to London that was their worst performance to date. I think the only thing their fans have to fear is boredom as I will be very surprised if MM does anything else but set the team up for a 0-0 and try to sneak a goal.

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therein61 added 16:23 - Jan 20 The only backlash will be on us with the great Skuse Dougie combination selected.
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weevil added 16:33 - Jan 20 Great article as per usual Harry. This bit made my heart sink: “Ipswich sign a new 6ft 5in striker. I wonder what their new tactic will be”, “Ipswich's tactic will be to win throw-ins near our box, Knudsen to hurl it onto the head of the new 6ft 5in striker”, “Aerial bombardment and route one football.” What a time to be a Norwich fan.
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happybeingblue added 17:28 - Jan 20 we dont even need to read huddersfields fans opinions on us we know how poor we are although tbh considering they were top of the table when we played here they didnt look all that either
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shakytown added 17:32 - Jan 20 Can't wait to see Douggie ( different class is Douggie) flashing out of midfield to score the winner. Sorry I woke up 5-0 huddersfield or a boring nil all with us playing 9 defenders and sears running around like a headless chook
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KiwiTractor added 21:53 - Jan 20 Every one of those players from the Lincoln replay owe the fans a better performance. I won't hold my breath though. Disagree with the Huddersfield fan who said “They cannot possibly play that badly again. We will have to work very hard on Saturday. “ I can definitely see us playing that badly again if Douglas, Berra and Best are near the team......
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