Grayson Relieved With Home Point

Simon Grayson & Lee Clark before kick-off

Huddersfield Town struck in second half stoppage time to deny the visitors, Birmingham City, all three points at The John Smiths Stadium. The game was not one that any Town fan will want to re-watch in a hurry as the terriers looked terrible throughout the game, especially after going a goal behind just before the interval. Huddersfield struggled both on and off the ball and in all honesty didn't deserve to be blessed with an incredible solo goal from Adam Hammill in the dying stages of the game as the terriers added another valuable point to their tally in the Championship.

Danns Looking To Push The Terriers Up The Table

Danns has joined the terriers on loan until the
end of the current 12/13 season

Neil Danns has assured Huddersfield Town fans that the club can still compete for a play-off spot this season despite a poor run of form which has seen them slip down the Championship league table. The terriers have recently gone ten games without a win before battling hard to defeat Charlton by one goal to nil and Danns knows exactly what is needed in this league to pick up vital points.

Alan Lee Vows To Fight Back To Full Fitness

Huddersfield Towns popular striker Alan Lee ended last season with a slight knee injury and has been trying to shake it off in the three pre-season ties which he has featured in. Today he has spoken about the injury as well as stating that he will fight back to be made available for Grayson to select him in the opening Championship fixture against Cardiff City;

"I was carrying a knee injury at the end of last season. Because the games were coming thick and fast, it was a case of managing it, and that limited the amount of training I could do. Then in the close-season, I was told to take four weeks’ complete rest when normally I would have been doing bits and bats on my own, which was frustrating. That meant I was slightly behind some when we came back, and while I’m a little bit rusty, I’m feeling good and trying hard to make up for lost time." 

"I’m now able to take part in all the sessions, which is saving me from some ribbing from the rest of the lads, who are keen to point out my advancing years! We’ve had a good trip to Scotland, and the friendlies so far have provided just the kind of tests we were needing. Everything is geared towards those games at Preston and Cardiff, and I’m confident I will be available for selection."

Interview With Lifelong Huddersfield Town Fan Ben Thornes

We recently asked all Huddersfield Town fans on Twitter if they would like to be interviewed by us with the aim of the interview to get a true, lifelong fans opinions on the club past/current issues. Up stepped Ben Thornes and the rest is self explanatory...

Bold - HTFC Hub  Italic - Ben Thornes

Let's start off this 10 question interview with a little bit about yourself and how you came to be a Huddersfield fan.


My 1st memory of watching Town was a Tuesday night game away at Scarborough probably 1992/1 and the flood lights went out! Got into watching town through my dad as I'm sure most others do, he's been going since '71. Me , I'm 25 live with my girlfriend in Dewsbury and I'm a fire alarm service engineer.


Let's kick things off Ben. What a season it has been which ultimately ended in a successful promotion campaign. What's it been like to be a Huddersfield Town fan this season?


Awful!

The season started with the horrific hangover from black Sunday at Old Trafford, disses pointing draws with Bury, Rochdale and the pathetic defensive minded shift we put in at Hartlepool did not help!

I personally at this stage was getting annoyed by Lee Clark and his what I perceived as negative football to preserve the famous " unbeaten run".

We then went on a winning run including a really good performance and 3-0 win at Sheffield United. At that point I think, looking back, it was probably the highlight of the regular season.

However we continued to draw too many games and by the time we won away at Yeovil Clark seemed certain to go to elsewhere.

I never really felt we were going to grab the bull by the horns and get a top 2 finish (talk of 100 points seemed so far away after another poor performance at home to Carlisle new years day).

Eventually I was glad to see the end of the Clark reign but will always try and remember the positives in him, such as the way he never blamed the referee etc etc. unfortunately for him though he failed.

So in came Simon Grayson however the same frustrating feeling seemed to follow us.

We all knew we should/ could be doing better but the performances just weren't there.

More point throwing away at Bury and a defeat to Sheffield Wednesday and promotion was all but over!

No way were that shower showing the guts to go up at the 3rd attempt in the play offs!

And then Ched Evans got sent down. A decent performance on the last day v Yeovil and I was thinking ..... Maybe (again) just maybe!!

Jordan Rhodes banging goals in the semi and we were 90 minuets away (AGAIN)  only this time our opposition were the ones who had "just missed out" and who "didn't have their top scorer available" (all be it for very very different reasons to us 12 months previously)

A tense 90 minuets followed and the rest is history!!

So in a nutshell the season was frustrating and underwhelming.

The play offs were tense, then even more tense then those 11 years of sheer agony were banished with 11 kicks of a football!  It was my 3 rd promotion watching town. The worst season of the 3 but the best feeling of the 3 by far!


The high's and the low's of being a Huddersfield Town fan all summed up in one frustrating yet incredible season! Who, in your opinion was the best player in a blue and white shirt this year?


Ha ha . That's a bit of a dolly that isn't it! The king. The junior Dennis Law! Jordan Rhodes. The man is incredible!

A reason I think we failed last year is because he wasn't played any where near enough. Iv you have s 20 goal season striker he plays. That's if your in la liga or the Sunday alliance Bradford league.

Other than that Lee Novak, Peter Clark, Ian Bennett and Alex Smithies were as good as usual.

Sean Morison was out standing and Callum Woods had a promising start.

Kalum Higgingbothom looked the real deal in the play offs.

Other than that you would struggle, and I doubt if any central midfielder got even 1 vote for player of the season.


Rhodes has had an incredible season for the terriers but with this brings interest in the form of top Championship clubs & Premiership as well. His future is very much undecided with Huddersfield Town who are adamant he is going no where just yet. How do you think his future shall pan out and what shirt shall he be wearing next season?


He said on the BBC " ideally I'll be playing in the championship for Town next season".
I believe him. He's from s football family and his dad will no doubt tell him having maybe even 6 months at Town in the championship won't do any harm.

So hopefully a blue and white one!


Rhodes may well be playing football at The Galpharm next season in The Championship but a fair few ex-terriers shall not be. After achieving promotion, Grayson immediately set to work on sorting out his squad for next season and let 7 players go. Cadamarteri, Clarke, Naysmith, Chippendale, Thomas, Roberts & Miller all have left Huddersfield Town. What do you think about this bold move by Grayson?


No just sensible really. Unfortunately as Dean Hoyle him self has said Clark was allowed to bring in far too many players. He offered Danny Cads a contract in the summer and he didn't get on the pitch until new years eve!


Huddersfield Town also failed to keep hold of Damien Johnson who was a major part of the Huddersfield squad and one that a lot of fans wanted to see play in The Championship. What's your thoughts on Damien Johnson and what do you believe was the reason for him not staying at the terriers and also choosing Fleetwood Town?



I wish him the best of luck. One of the few (if only) midfielders to stand up and be counted.
I think he's gone to Fleetwood for financial gain. And I don't blame him for it.
But I wouldn't have offered him a contract. Or only on a pay as you play. He's only played 3/4 of a season out of the 2 he's been with us. Great player. Just always injured!


We also wish Damien Johnson the best of luck at newly promoted Fleetwood Town. Let's talk about transfers and the rumours that have been flying around, the strongest of which are Clayton, Andrews, Green & Peltier. What do you think of these players and also is their any players you personally would bring to Town if in Grayson's shoes?


Messi!

I don't pay much attention to the rumours. I believe it when there on the back page of the examiner with a town shirt on!

I would hope midfielders are high on the shopping list. Sean Morrison would be a must buy for me and a striker as I'm not an Alan lee fan.


Sean Morrison has been a rock at the back for us and so we agree that he should be pretty high on the transfer list. What would you like to see from Huddersfield Town this coming season?


Promotion!

Shankley said "aim for the ceiling and you won't get off the floor. Aim for the sky and you'll get the ceiling"


I certainly don't think we will flirt with relegation.


High expectations from yourself then Ben. With a whole load of new teams to play this coming season in The Championship, who will you be looking forward to meeting the most?


The premier league teams from last year, Wolves, Blackburn, Bolton

Then the derby games like Leeds and Wednesday.

I'm looking forward to the London away games for a few ales on the train.

All of them will be great not to be going up Yeovil, Exeter and the likes.

Plus the home games. There will be away fans for the 1st time in 11 years! I can't wait to be honest. That's why we simply had to go up. I don't know if town fans could have faced another year in league 1 (south)


Some fantastic away and home games awaiting Huddersfield Town next season! Over the past few years Huddersfield Town has changed dramatically and the majority of this has happened because of new chairman Dean Hoyle. How much has he brought to the club?


With out Dean Hoyle, I don't think  I'm exaggerating now, I think we could be non league or lower reaches of league 2.

We were going backwards big time. Ken Davy isn't a football man. He had appointed Andy Ritchie our summer transfer activity was Malvin Kamara on a free because Port Vale had released him. We were a mess!

Every thing the club has achieved both on and off the pitch can be credited to Dean Hoyle. I could probably fill an essay with how much better the feeling round the club is. But I won't. All I need to say ( again) is ; we were an utter mess pre Dean Hoyle. THANK YOU DEANO!


Thankyou very much for doing this interview Ben. Last question, the club has a keen interest in getting close to its fans and has been named family club of the year on numerous occasions. How does this make you feel to be a Huddersfield Town fan & has this club/fan relationship benefited yourself in any way?


Bit of a tricky one!

For lads like me who like to sing and shout the 'family club of the year' award can get a bit 'annoying'. Especially when it was the only thing we had won in 10 years!

However, the club have to cater for all ages to ensure the next generation of fans. And it's hard to not like the way that the club made the trophy so accessible to fans for photographs. Dean Hoyle even took pictures for some fans!

So I'm 50/50 on it. Although I'd love our home atmosphere to be a bit more aggressive to help sour the team on. I appreciate why the club do what they do!

Thanks a lot! UTT

Match Report: MK Dons 0-2 Huddersfield Town

The play-off semi final first leg is over and what a game it was. Outclassing the other two teams first leg (Stevenage & Sheffield United) who played on Friday night, Huddersfield Town & MK Dons represented League One with some much needed terrific football.

How Huddersfield Town lined up for the game

The terriers fanbase didn't disappoint and brought an estimated 4000+ crowd to turn Stadium:MK into a sea of blue & white. However it was the Dons who started off well and put pressure on the terriers by obtaining a corner just 40 seconds into the game. The corner was too long and shortly after, the ball was up at the other end with Jack Hunt who's low cross was fired straight into the hands of the Dons keeper.

Alan Smith was playing as a lone striker for the Dons and was looking surprisingly sharp and got the first, half chance but he smashed it wide of Ian Bennett's goal to the applause of the Town following. A few minutes later it was Town who were on the attack with Damien Johnson who worked the ball out to left back Woods who managed to find him self in some space. His cross went agonisingly out of reach of forward Lee Novak who could only watch it go out for a goal kick.

Town continued to put the pressure on the home side and soon enough Jordan Rhodes found himself the goal side of his defender but his cross was denied to go any further than the front post by Dons defender Shaun Williams. Moments later the ball was back up in the terriers half as the game continued to go from end to end. Callum Woods managed to get the danger away and then Arfield intercepted a pass and immediately started to look for the counter attack. He fed the ball to Jordan Rhodes who waited for Arfield to continue his run and overlap himself only to feed the ball back into his path with a inch perfect pass. Arfield unleashed a cross into the box where Novak was waiting but a Dons defender yet again managed to get a nick on the ball and deny any threat upon their goal.

Both sides started to become more comfortable as the game went on and they were both creating half chances for themselves but it was the Dons who looked the more threatening on the attack. Captain Peter Clarke had to stay alert and block the edge of the area effort by Powell who's pace was obviously starting to cause Huddersfield some problems. From that vital block, a clearance was made that found the head of Lee Novak who knocked it into the path of winger Danny Ward who found himself all alone in the box. He unusually hit it tamely and it more or less trickled into the Dons keepers hands and the first clear cut chance of the match went begging for the terriers.

Scott Arfield then had to be replaced as he picked up a knock and Grayson went with Kallum Higginbotham to be his replacement. Danny Ward switched onto the right wing as the substitute took up his usual left wing position.

Town's midfielder Damien Johnson was having a good game by this stage and he managed to nick the ball from opponent Gleeson and drive forward towards the MK Dons penalty area. Johnson pulled the ball back for Jordan Rhodes who let it run for substitute Higginbotham who's close range shot was superbly turned away by Dons keeper Martin. The ball was kept in play by determined Lee Novak who sent in a beautifully weighted back post cross only for it to be deftly headed goalwards by that man Jordan Rhodes. The Dons goalkeeper was at full stretch but the header was too good and it rippled the back of the net as the away fans were sent into blue & White heaven as the terriers took the lead!

Jordan Rhodes celebrates his clinical headed goal

The goal had really given Town that fighting spirit and they went looking for more as Johnson battled hard in the middle of the park to win possession and push forward only to smash his shot wide of the mark. The second half ended on a massive high for Huddersfield Town and they went in at the break with a vital one goal lead.

The second half started off predictably with MK Dons immediately trying to push forward and grab that equaliser especially with them being at home. Kallum Higginbotham conceded a free kick on the edge of the area which was whipped in by Shaun Williams and after some scrappy play in the box the ball fell to the feet of Dons captain Dean Lewington who's snap shot was expertly saved by Ian Bennett. More chances came and went for MK Dons as Town held strong defensively under immense pressure.

Callum Woods then had to be substituted as the terriers were once again hit with an injured player. Tom Clarke was the like for like replacement and he had to be immediately up to the pace of the game as the Dons were starting to look more and more dangerous down the right hand side with pacey Powell.

Both set pieces and corners were constantly bombarding the terriers box at the beginning of the second half and it looked likely that Huddersfield would possibly concede if things were to carry on. However, Town slowly but surely started to regain control of the ball and by doing so the game. Pressuring the Dons into passing quickly put the home side off their game plan and soon enough Huddersfield were on the attacking foot. Karl Robinson responded with an interesting substitution which saw the rather impressive Alan Smith replaced by winger Jay O'Shea.

The problem for Huddersfield Town at this stage of the game was that their final pass was letting them down and giving back possession to the Dons rather than creating those vital chances to finish this first leg tie off. Another corner for the Dons saw Powell being denied by a resilient Lee Novak who was doing his own fair share of defending.

Moments later came the first one on one chance of the game and it fell to the on form striker Lee Novak for the terriers. He peeled away from both centre halves and beat the offside trap as strike partner Rhodes slotted him through to set up the chance. Novak continued to bear down on the Dons goal and looked to steady himself before smashing the ball agonisingly wide of the post as the away fans groaned at the missed opportunity of going two goals up away from home.

Huddersfield Town did indeed manage to get that two goal lead a few minutes later as they caught the Dons on the counter attack down the wing with Jack Hunt. He played a smart one two with Kallum Higginbotham who managed to cut inside from the right wing and as it looked like he was just about to cross, he fooled everyone by smartly playing the ball back inside to Hunt who took one step before neatly placing the ball in-between Martin and his left hand post. The away fans were once again in ecstasy and it even looked like Grayson was massively pleased as he celebrated on the touchline.

Jack Hunt doubles the lead with a neat finish

Looking like he game was now beyond them, Karl Robinson tried to install some extra attacking threat into the game as he brought on big striker Jabo Ibehre for Charlie MacDonald. MK Dons did indeed start to push forward in numbers looking for a route back into the game and indeed the tie itself. Set pieces is where the Dons had looked most dangerous from and when a corner was floated in and cleared , Huddersfield Towns captain Peter Clarke was worringly left out cold on the deck. The paramedics rushed on to the field whilst Clarke remained on the floor crowded by players who looked worried about the defender. Three minutes later, Clarke rose to his feet and to the applaud of the travelling fans he continued to play regardless of being unconscious just minutes beforehand.

With just five minutes to go Simon Grayson used his last sub to give goalscorer Jordan Rhodes a rest by bringing on Alan Lee. Seven additional minutes were added on in stoppage time an these were played out mainly in the Dons half in the corner as the terriers looked to finish the game with the two goal advantage. However, MK Dons did create the last chance of the game through substitute Ibehre who's glancing header was superbly saved by Ian Bennett who remained unbeaten in goal for the whole of the 90+ minutes.

The match finished 0-2 to Huddersfield Town and we shall take the lead back to The Galpharm on Tuesday night for the second and final leg of this semi final play-off tie. Its not over yet but half of the job has been completed outstandingly well !

Grayson Delighted With The Win

Simon Grayson expressed how happy he was with the performance against Yeovil Town when he spoke to the official website. This is what he had to say;

"I said before the game that I wasn't too concerned about where we finished, all I was interested in was winning today and finishing on a good note,"

"I am delighted that we have won the game, not too bothered by what happened at MK Dons, but obviously now we have got the second leg at home.I thought we were good today, passed the ball around well with tempo and created some good opportunities. The players knew that the same group of players could be playing at Wembley in three week's time and that they had an opportunity to stay in the team."

Grayson was delighted with how Town played against Yeovil Town

 When speaking about individual performances in today's game against Yeovil, Grayson hinted who he may well be starting in the play-offs;

"The players should be playing for their shirts and looking over their shoulders at the people sat on the bench. Today probably suited us because they played a narrow four man midfield, which allowed Jack Hunt to get forward and exploit that area of the pitch well. Danny Ward was very good and took his goal well. I feel the more Scott Arfield plays, the more comfortable he is becoming in midfield. I have always rated Danny very highly and you can keep telling players how good they are, but they have to believe themselves. He has got undoubted talent and you could see after he got his goal that his confidence grew and he almost got another. There is a lot more to come from Danny."

When questioned about Jordan Rhodes once again sitting on the bench for the majority of the game, Grayson backed up his decision as well as praising both Novak & Higginbotham who have been partnering each other in the last couple of matches;

"We wanted to give Jordan another rest and play for him the final twenty minutes. I thought Lee Novak and Kallum Higginbotham were excellent again today, but I think Jordan will benefit from the rest. Hopefully he will be back firing on all cylinders next Saturday, if selected. It is a possibility that I could pick all three and accommodate them into a system. Whatever team I pick will be for the sake of the football club and not the individual."

Finally, Grayson gave us a quick heads up on the fitness of the squad heading into the play-offs;

"We won't be too far away; Gary Naysmith is probably the only player who will miss out. Alan Lee has been in and out training over the past week so he should be back fit for next Saturday. There will be some disappointed players because I can only pick 16 for my team next week."