Huddersfield Town have announced their squad numbers for the forthcoming season. In the absence of anything more substantial to write about, I’m going to take a look at the potential significance (or not) of the squad numbers handed out.
Scannell drops down the pecking order (and towards the door?)
Sean Scannell has vacated his number 7 shirt and dropped down to 28. This seems like a clear signal that he’s unlikely to form part of David Wagner’s plans for the forthcoming season. He was loaned out to Burton Albion last season before returning to Town after an injury.
I suspect Scannell is one of those unfortunate players that would have had a future at Town if we were in the Championship, but aren’t quite up to Premier League standard. It’s a shame, because Scannell has been a good player for Town. But giving up his number 7 shirt feels like and admission that he’s not going to be a regular starter for Town this coming season.
Bacuna gets the number 7 shirt
Juninho Bacuna is Town’s most recent first team signing, and it wasn’t clear whether he was signed as one for the future or as someone that will compete for a starting place straight away. Him being given the number 7 shirt makes me think we’ll be seeing a bit more of him than I initially thought.
Obviously it doesn’t mean a great deal, but it’s a little signal that he’s part of the plans for this season.
Malone keeps his number 3 shirt
Scott Malone had a mixed first season at Town, at times he looked quick, positive and busy. At others times he was regularly out of position and struggled against of the Premier League’s top wingers.
The rumour mill has linked Town with several left-backs this summer, so you’d expect Löwe or Malone to make way if someone else comes in. Malone keeping the number 3 shirt is a sign that there are no immediate plans for him to leave.
Tom Ince takes Mohammed Sabiri’s number 11 shirt
Tom Ince has moved from 22 to take Sabiri’s squad number, 11. A bit like singles moving up and down the charts in the hit parade (or whatever it’s called these days), this change suggests that Tom Ince is seen as a key player next season and Sabiri isn’t.
Number 29 seems about right for Sabiri, he’s part of the first team squad, but not likely to regularly feature.
Tariq Holmes-Dennis, Jack Payne, and Jordy Hiwula miss out on squad numbers
It looks like these three aren’t going to feature in the squad next season. It’s possible that deals are close to being completed for the pair, given they’ve not even been put on the squad list.
I’d forgotten Jordy Hiwula was our player until I saw him in the preseason training video the other day. He’s spent the bulk of his time at Town out on loan, so I’ve never really got attached to him. I vaguely remember him struggling to get involved in an away game against Wigan but otherwise can’t recall him getting much of a chance. It’s a shame, but it could be another loan is lined up for him.
Jack Payne is a player who has been more involved for Town, playing his part in quite a few important fixtures in our promotion season. He had a good year out on loan at Oxford and Blackburn last season, so I can imagine a few Championship clubs will be sniffing around him.
Holmes-Dennis picked up a nasty injury on the opening game of his season-long loan at Portsmouth, so his season was a complete write-off. I’d expect he’ll be out on loan again to get more match experience and possibly earn a permanent move away.
Ben Hamer takes up the number 12 and Lössl keeps number 1
The number 1 jersey is one of the squad numbers that still has significance, as the majority of keepers want that shirt. I don’t think many fans would have expected Hamer to take Lössl’s spot at number 1, and him being given the number 12 confirms the expectation that he’ll be backup to Lössl alongside either Coleman or Schofield.
Great post – keep it up
Thanks Matt. Much appreciated.