After a disappointing end to the transfer window which saw Town fail to add any new players to the squad, Carlos Corberán has the same old faces to choose from for the game against Swansea.
On the plus side, a few of the injuries from before the international break have healed and the likes of O’Brien and Schindler should be fit to play.
So here’s my predicted starting eleven.
Goalkeeper: Hamer
Now a fairly obvious selection after being given a chance and so far not letting himself down. The news that Ryan Schofield is back in training and able to use his injured thumb again suggests competition for this position could hot up soon.
Defence: Pipa, Schindler, Sarr, Toffolo
I’m predicting Carlos will play his first choice back four for the first time today. I believe Pipa came back from his Spanish Under 21 exploits without any injury worries, so should be fine to play. He’ll be slightly less fresh than the rest of the squad who haven’t been on international duty but that shouldn’t be a problem for this game.
Schindler and Sarr could become a good partnership and I’m hopeful they will compliment each other well. Stearman would be slightly unlucky to be dropped as he’s been good so far but Schindler is better than him and Sarr suits the system more.
Toffolo continues to be the obvious choice at leftback. He’s also our chief creator in many games, the way he bursts forward and gets balls into the box. I’d like to see a bit more accuracy on his deliveries, but it’s hard to criticise when he’s so much more creative than players playing further up the field.
Midfield: Hogg, Pritchard, Eiting
I think the long-term plan will be for Eiting to be the deepest of the midfield three and two more attack-minded options will play in front of him. For this game though, I suspect Hogg’s grit and willingness to adjust his game to play more like a third centre back will mean he keeps his place and Eiting continues to play in a more advanced role.
Lewis O’Brien hasn’t played any competitive football yet this season so I think he’ll be eased back in by starting on the bench today. That means Pritchard should get another opportunity to show he can fit into this midfield three. I’d argue he’s yet to properly convince in this role (or any role if we’re being brutally honest) but I’ve more confidence in him than Bacuna, the other contender for a midfield starting place.
Attackers: Mbenza, Campbell, Koroma
The widespread and justified belief was that Huddersfield Town desperately needed better options for the front three before yesterday’s transfer deadline. The lack of new arrivals provides opportunities to the players we already have to shine but adds a bit of pressure onto them too. We’re relying on these players or lads in the academy to step up to this challenge and reassure fans that we’re capable of scoring goals.
Mbenza did the pre-match press conference for this game, which makes me think that he’s likely to start, particularly as Carlos was singing his praises when asked about the pacy Beligian. I’ve been impressed with Mbenza’s attitude on the pitch this season and I hope that he’s turned a corner after a poor season last year. While his attitude is improved, his quality in the final third is still not quite there but if he’s applying himself fully then there’s hope that he can improve as the season progresses.
I’m hoping that winning the Championship Goal of the Month award will have filled Frazier Campbell with confidence and he’ll come into this game looking to add to his tally. I’m not bothered whether they are spectacular scissor kicks or two-yard tap ins, if he can keep scoring he will take some pressure off the rest of the team. Campbell is written off as a striker who doesn’t score often, but it’s worth remembering that he scored 12 goals for Hull the season before he arrived at Town and with better service this season I can see him getting double figures.
I’ve really enjoyed watching Koroma play for Town this season, he’s creative, quick and is getting into good, goalscoring positions. He’s not actually scoring from these positions yet though and that’s the missing piece of the puzzle for him and the whole team.
How did I do with my last predictions?
I didn’t do too badly with my predicted team for Rotherham away. I got nine out of eleven but one of those I got wrong was due to Pritchard picking up an injury before the game and Bacuna replacing him.
Naby Sarr starting ahead of Romoney Crichlow was the other one I got wrong. Given how physical and direct Rotherham played it made perfect sense to put Sarr in for his height and strength. Crichlow can feel a bit aggrieved he’s been dropped despite playing well but I’m sure he’ll get more chances to impress later in the season.
There are a few predictions I’m not so sure on this week, so I suspect I’ve made a few mistakes. Schindler may not start in place of Stearman, O’Brien may be deemed fit enough to start and Bacuna could be played either in midfield or attack. We’ll find out at two o’clock when the actual team is named.
I suspect Town did exactly what they set out to do yesterday, they got rid of the two biggest earners on the books, and didn’t spend a penny in return, I felt really sorry for Aarons, he obviously thought he was here to sign for a professional football club, and realised by 5pm he had been tricked into auditioning for the latest
“Carry On” film, I think everyone at the JS will be scouring the lists of out of contract players and has beens,
just hope that Carlos can by some miracle restore some pride and ambition back to a very badly tarnished
Huddersfield Town Football Club. UTT
I’m very disappointed we’ve not replaced Karlan Grant or Steve Mounié. I think our signings so far been pretty good but we were about three short of being finished. I feel sorry for Carlos because he’s not been given the tools he needs to succeed.
Free agents tend to expect a decent wage because they know they’re the only option left. I can’t see us splashing out unless Carlos really kicks off and threatens to walk. His postmatch comments could be interesting tonight.
The transfer window has been more disappointing than the time I bought the book 3 in a bed and realised it was about darts!!! Joking (badly) apart is this just a case of potless Phil doing a bit of asset stripping, Jim Slater would be proud!!!!
I’d never want Town to live beyond their means and I’m pleased to see some high earners moves on but it feels reckless to not replace the quality players that have left. There’s now a lot of pressure on Diakhaby, Mbenza and Koroma to produce.
Anyway up the udders!!!!
The Grant transfer is an absolute disgrace £2M a year!!! That will just get swallowed up and result in Nada signings. Potless wins again as it means he won’t have to dip into his pocket for the next 6 years, great business….. for Phil.
I’m not sure the staggered payments are an excuse for not investing as players we bring in can be paid with staggered payments too. And we’re still getting paid for last season’s sales like Billing, so there’s money knocking about.