Matches – Page 13 – Terrier Spirit – Huddersfield Town FC blog

Jun12022 by Terrier Spirit14 Comments

An out of shape ref, dodgy VAR, iffy tactics, subdued fans but something to build upon – Notes on Huddersfield Town’s play-off final defeat

Matches

I’ve been putting off writing this article because I’ve not wanted to dwell on Sunday’s game. Despite thinking before the game that I wasn’t too bothered about the outcome, defeat stung and the manner of the defeat even more so. Huddersfield Town lost the game 1-0 to a Levi Colwilll own goal but the match will be remembered for two penalty decisions that weren’t given to Town in the second half of the game despite VAR being available. VAR, bad decisions and conspiracy theories From my position in the stands I could see the contact when Toffolo went over and was surprised when Moss didn’t give the penalty. Then when the game paused for the review, I was certain we’d be given the penalty and was outraged that the video referee didn’t spot the contact between Colback and Toffo...

May292022 by Terrier SpiritNo Comments

5 key battles in today’s play-off final between Huddersfield Town and Nottingham Forest

Matches

The big day is finally here, Hudddersfiedl Town and Nottingham Forest fight it out for a place in the Premier League at half four today. Both teams have proven themselves to be more than capable over the course of the season and it should be a good game. Winning individual battles is a big part of how any game is decided and today is no different. Here are a few of the most important matchups in today’s game and how I think they will go. Lewis O'Brien v James Garner James Garner has all the expectation that comes with being a Manchester United youth player and clearly has potential to be a great in the future. Currently, I’m less convinced by him. He’s got touches of class about him but in the games I’ve seen him play against Town (including when we played Man United’...

May282022 by Terrier Spirit2 Comments

Predicted Huddersfield Town XI to take on Nottingham Forest tomorrow

Matches

It’s getting close now! After a very long wait and a lot of fussing about tickets, the playoff final is almost here. After 46 league games and two playoff semi-final matches, everything boils down to tomorrow’s winner-takes-all encounter against Nottingham Forest. Carlos said that he has a virtually fully fit squad to pick from for tomorrow’s game in his pre match press conference. If I’m honest, I’m not sure I believe him and he may just be keeping his cards close to his chest to avoid giving an advantage to Forest. But I’m going to take him at his word for the purposes of this predicted lineup and pick the players I think Carlos will pick if all the main players are fit. Goalkeeper: Lee Nicholls He’s been a hero for Town already this season and the stage is set for him to...

May262022 by Terrier Spirit7 Comments

6 reasons to feel confident about Huddersfield Town’s chances in the playoff final

Matches

It’s not long now until Huddersfield Town and Nottingham Forest take to the field at the national stadium to fight it out for a place in the Premier League. Despite not being too bothered about going up, I do desperately want Town to win the game anyway. I can’t explain these contradictory feelings but have accepted them now. The bookies fancy Nottingham Forest and the national media have focussed mainly on them for their build up. I don’t particularly care about either of these things but I thought I might redress the balance by writing about why I think Town may have a good chance on Sunday. To be clear though, I’m writing this from the perspective of trying to convince myself that we’ll win, not from a position of arrogant expectation. Town are good at making games tight an...

May182022 by Terrier Spirit6 Comments

A pitch invasion, a funny ref, unlucky Luton, sensational Sorba, nice Nicholls, going to Wembley – Notes on Huddersfield Town’s playoff semi-final triumph

Matches

It would be easy to make the argument that Huddersfield Town didn’t deserve to win their playoff game against Luton Town on Monday night. You could reel off a stream of statistics that prove Luton were the dominant team on the night but one statistic tells you everything you need to know, and that’s goals scored: Huddersfield Town 1-0 Luton Town. So despite needing a string of excellent saves and wasteful finishes to stay in the game, Town came out on top and triggered jubilant scenes as fans and players partied on the pitch after the full time whistle. Here are a few of my thoughts on the game. Luton deserved it The truth is that Luton should have been out of sight before half time. Town had a strangely underwhelming first-half performance and repeatedly allowed Luton t...

May162022 by Terrier Spirit3 Comments

Predicted lineup, tactics, creating a cauldron, penalty takers and pride – A preview of Huddersfield Town v Luton Town

Matches

Huddersfield Town take on Luton tonight in their most important game for a very long time. At least since the West Brom home game we won at the end of the Danny Cowley era to secure our Championship survival in 2020. Or maybe the draw at Stamford Bridge that secured our Premier League survival in 2018. Or maybe even the playoff final in 2017. Whichever way you look at it, tonight’s game is a big deal. Our 1-1 draw last Friday means that both teams head into the game on equal footing. Away goals don’t count for anything extra, so we start from scratch tonight and the winner on the night goes to Wembley. It may take extra time or penalties but one of these two teams will have to come out on top. Here are a few of the questions I have ahead of the game. Will Sorba Thomas start?&nbs...

May152022 by Terrier Spirit6 Comments

Nathan Jones is a fantasist, Huddersfield Town overcome intial struggles, Sinani shines, prawn sandwich fans and liking Luton – Notes on the first leg of the playoffs

Matches

Huddersfield Town came away from Kenilworth Road with a 1-1 draw that sets up a winner-takes-all game at the John Smith's Stadium on Monday night. It was an evenly balanced game where each team had spells of dominance but a draw was an overall fair reflection of the game. Both sides can feel aggrieved that obvious penalty decisions weren't given but at least the referee's two mistakes canceled each other out. Some other less vital decisions weren't quite right either but thankfully the poor officiating didn't spoil a tense but enjoyable encounter. Here are a few of my thoughts on the game… Town did well to cling on when they were struggling The first half was not always pretty from a Town perspective. We did counter-attack well at times but long stretch...

May132022 by Terrier Spirit1 Comment

Predicted Huddersfield Town XI to take on Luton

Matches

It's nearly here! Town secured their place in the playoffs weeks ago, so it’s been a long wait but it's almost time for the playoffs. Town take on Luton at Kenilworth Road tonight in the first leg of their semi-final tie. Town are in good form at the moment and have players coming back from injury but Luton are a tough opponent so it won’t be easy. Here’s who I think Carlos wiil pick for this vital game… Goalkeeper: Nicholls Jamal Blackman did fine last weekend against Bristol City but he wasn’t Nicholls. There wasn’t a lot for the keeper to do in fairness but I missed having that sense of calm and organisation that Nicholls brings to the pitch. I’m not sure Lee Nicholls is the best keeper that I’ve seen in my time supporting Town but he may be the one that I’ve got the most conf...

May82022 by Terrier Spirit2 Comments

“He may have done enough to earn another contract.” Player ratings for Town’s win over Bristol City

Matches

Huddersfield Town registered a comfortable 2-0 victory over a misfiring Bristol in the final game of the regular season despite fielding a weakened team. The game had the feel of a dead rubber at times but Town managed to raise their levels enough during certain spells to become dominant and create good chances. Forest conceding a late equaliser against Hull meant that Town finished above them and now face Luton Town in the playoff semi finals. Those games will provide a much stiffer challenge than a relatively poor Bristol City but it’s to Town’s credit that they managed to competently beat their opponent without expending more energy than they had to. Here are my individual player ratings. Jamal Blackman - 7 out of 10 Made a couple of smart saves from close range. Probably t...

May72022 by Terrier Spirit2 Comments

Predicted Huddersfield Town XI to take on Bristol City – Who will Carlos rest?

Matches

Huddersfield Town play Bristol City this lunchtime in a game that isn't likely to make a huge difference to Town's season one way or another (sorry to those that like a hit of prematch hype). There's a chance for Town to finish third rather than fourth if our result is better than Nottingham Forest's but that doesn't count for much as we don't know which teams will finish fifth or sixth. Even if we did, I don't think it matters who we play in the semis, they're all good but none are teams that Town should fear. Carlos has a few injury concerns going into the game, a few players due a rest and others that will want to impress in the hopes they can get a game in the playoffs. Picking the lineup is a fool's errand given it's a dead rubber and they're are likely to be several changes...