The Manager;
Simon Grayson took the reign over the terriers after previous manager Lee Clark was surprisingly sacked just after the January transfer window due to a dip in both results & performances. Grayson had previously experienced promotion at both Blackpool and rivals Leeds United but this didn't brush off on the Town squad who slipped down the table before finishing fourth in the play-offs. Despite going into the play-offs with the worst form record by a country mile, Grayson managed to get the team performing and we all know what followed!
A successful promotion campaign has enabled Dean Hoyle to back the manager with a considerable amount of finance. Grayson has since signed five players; Scannell, Norwood, Clayton, Lynch & Southern. However things haven't gone to plan for Grayson in pre-season friendlies as he is yet to record his first victory with his new team.
Not to worry, we believe Grayson has exactly what is needed to cement Huddersfield Town in The Championship. The guy is vastly experienced at this level after managing both Blackpool & Leeds United to relatively successful seasons. Grayson does also have a win percentage of 43.39% in his entire managerial career and if he can continue to keep this record whilst at the terriers then there is no doubt we shall achieve a mid-table finish in The Championship this coming season.
The Chairman
Dean Hoyle has continued to back the club with his own hard earned money and this has continued to happen in the current transfer window. Unlike a lot of chairman's in football, Hoyle is a Huddersfield Town fan and this means he not only has a financial link with the club but a personal one as well. After taking over the club back in 2009, Dean Hoyle has experienced two unsuccessful promotion campaigns under young manager Lee Clark before making the tough decision to sack Clark back in February. Another tough decision was made by Hoyle a week later when he chose to employ Simon Grayson as manager regardless of his recent links with Towns rivals Leeds United.
However, Hoyle was repaid in the best way possible as Grayson guided his hometown club to promotion at Wembley through the play-offs and now the businessman is not stepping off the gas after waiting three years to get where he set out to be. As previously stated, the finance has continued to come from Hoyle and this is needed even more now that the club is in The Championship. Strengthening the squad has continued and to do this a large amount of money is needed which Hoyle luckily is able to bring to the table for Huddersfield Town.
A huge debt is owed to Dean Hoyle by the fans as he has progressed this club so far in such a short space of time. Hoyle is exactly what every Championship club needs to be successful and stable in this division. Huddersfield Town have got the perfect chairman in Dean Hoyle and this is a vital attribute which we believe will see the terriers to a successful first year in the second tier of English football.
The Squad
Huddersfield Town have a real strong, young & experienced squad and have been reported to have had a Championship squad for at least two years now. Those closer to the squad know exactly how close knit the group of players are and was quoted by Terry McDermott to be the best dressing room that he has ever been in. Lee Clark brought in a lot of young players but after the semi-final play off loss to Millwall in his first year he started to mix in a few experienced players to balance the squad out and this worked well but unfortunately a play-off final defeat against Peterborough saw a few big name players leave such as Peltier & Pilkington.
Simon Grayson has also begun to add his own mark on the squad which he inherited from previous boss Lee Clark. The addition of players with a point to prove,young players with huge potential, and also players with Championship experience has given the squad a good depth along with the ability to change how the team can play in certain situations. The likes of Keith Southern will provide some much needed, heart on the sleeve football from the middle of the park but alongside him the new recruits (Clayton & Norwood) will provide the attacking flair needed from midfield. Also don't count out players such as the likes of Oscar Gobern & Anton Robinson that were signed during Lee Clark's reign. These guys have a huge point to prove after failing to make any sort of mark at Huddersfield Town and with them both putting in decent pre-season performances their imminent move away from the terriers may well have been put on hold by Simon Grayson.
Rhodes is also a key man in this squad. The 40 goal hitman brings goals to the squad and a lot of them. The big question is will he be able to do it in the second tier when playing at a much higher level than previous matches in League One. Only time will tell but he has the full backing of both Grayson & Hoyle who are refusing to cash in on their top goalscorer regardless of numerous bids. Many more players such as Higginbotham, Novak, Hunt, Woods, Ward, and Arfield could feature heavily in this Championship campaign and all have the ability to light this league up in their own ways.
A proven striker is also needed to partner Rhodes to ensure that 10+ goals come from the front men and this is something which Grayson will undoubtedly be looking at now that we are just under two weeks away from the beginning of the season. Possibly another strong CB with Championship experience could be handy especially if bought at the right price. The squad has been very cleverly strengthened by Grayson & the backroom staff so if everything clicks into place and runs smoothly then the terriers may well be the dark horses for this upcoming season.
We think its fair to say....The Game Just Got A Whole Lot Better!
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