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Tag: squad report

Should they stay or should they go? Trying to predict Town’s summer squad overhaul

Should they stay or should they go? Trying to predict Town’s summer squad overhaul

Transfers
It’s likely to be another summer of change at Huddersfield Town, as we prepare for a new life in League One and hopefully a more positive season after a pretty dire run of results in 23/24. Before we get to next August there will have to be some work done to build a squad that is up to the challenge of League One, which will be a tricky job, particularly if the club needs to cut its cloth according to the reduced revenues that relegation brings.  With that in mind, I’ve had a go at trying to predict what might happen to Huddersfield Town’s squad over the summer. There are likely to be some high-profile exits, hopefully some of our better players will stick around too and a few fringe players may step out of the shadows to take on more prominent roles at a lower level. The retained ...
There are gaps in Huddersfield Town’s squad – here’s where they are

There are gaps in Huddersfield Town’s squad – here’s where they are

Transfers
Now we're only one week away from the start of the Championship season open against Burnley in front of the Sky cameras, I thought it might be interesting to see what shape the squad is in. Here's a quick look at how each position in the squad is looking.  Goalkeeper NichollsSchofieldBilokapic / Chapman / Bellagambi / Roxburgh  Obviously our first choice is superb but then the remaining options are a bit of a worry. It may be one or more of the B Team lads are ready to step up to be the main cover for Nicholls but otherwise we need senior backup before the season starts as Schofield hasn't been seen in preseason. I presume he's not recovered from the injury he had last season but this hasn't been officially confirmed by the club.  Right back  Ollie Turto...
How much did Huddersfield Town’s squad really cost?

How much did Huddersfield Town’s squad really cost?

Transfers
Huddersfield Town finished third in the Championship this season and have made it to the playoff final a week on Sunday with a squad that cost buttons. Despite the Championship being littered with clubs that have spent large amounts of money to try and buy success, Carlos Corberán has been able to take his team to the brink of the Premier League despite spending very little on transfer fees during his tenure.  Town overhauled their squad in the summer with a host of new arrivals but no money was spent on transfer fees, with all the new additions being free transfers or loans. Which was why nobody expected a huge improvement on Town’s 20th placed finish last season and everyone has been stunned how well we have done this season. While there’s no trophy handed out for the team th...
Where are the gaps in Huddersfield Town’s squad?

Where are the gaps in Huddersfield Town’s squad?

Player profiles
It’s been said that Huddersfield Town’s ambition for their squad is to have a first choice, second choice and a youth player for each position on the pitch. This makes sense, as it means there’s proper competition for places and always a young player ready to step up if needed due to injuries or lack of form. Now the transfer window is shut, I thought it would be a good time to go through each position on the field and see if Town really have three players ready to go for each area of the pitch. The reality doesn’t quite match the plan but it’s not too far away. Goalkeeper - 1st: Hamer / 2nd: Pereira / B: Schofield & Chapman This position was a huge worry before the start of the season but now Hamer is playing himself back into form it's less of a concern. Pereira came to Town with ...
How many new signings do Huddersfield Town need?

How many new signings do Huddersfield Town need?

Matches, Transfers
Huddersfield Town’s squad is worryingly thin at the moment. Everyone knows that new players are needed but which positions are most desperately in need of being filled? To answer this question, I’m going to take a look at every position on the pitch and look at what options Town currently have. Some areas look well-stocked whereas other parts of the pitch are severely lacking. Goalkeeper - options but too many monkeys on too many backs Ben Hamer Joel Pereira Ryan Schofield This is an area of the pitch where we could have issues this season. Ben Hamer has struggled for form all the time he's been at Town (including while on loan at Derby). His understudy, Pereira had an even worse time of it last season at Hearts. It's not clear where Schofield falls in the pecking order ...
How many of Huddersfield Town’s current players are likely to stay? Wild speculation and guesswork!

How many of Huddersfield Town’s current players are likely to stay? Wild speculation and guesswork!

Matches
Huddersfield Town have yet to make a signing in this shortened gap between seasons so I thought it might be interesting to take a look at the current squad. Here's a run through all the players we currently have in the first team squad (as listed on the club's website) and what I'd like to happen with them this transfer window. As the title suggests, this is all just my speculation and isn't based upon any insider knowledge. Goalkeepers Ryan Schofield - Could be loaned out to gain experience as he’s at a stage in his career when he needs to be getting more game time. It all depends on whether Carlos Coberán thinks he is ready to be Town’s first choice keeper. Personally, I’d like to see him given a chance. If we’re going to start trusting our youth players more, he seems like a prime ca...
Squad report – Do Huddersfield Town have two players for every position?

Squad report – Do Huddersfield Town have two players for every position?

Matches
In the Q&A with new Chairman, Phil Hodgkinson, it was made clear that Town now have a full squad and will only bring new players in as a result of other players leaving. He also said that our star players would only leave if we received “very big bids”, so it’s possible that the core of the current squad will be in tact when the transfer window closes in a few weeks time. So here’s a look at the squad as it stands, looking specifically at whether we have two players for every position in Siewert’s preferred 4-3-3 system. Goalkeepers - Grabara, Schofield and Coleman It’s widely reported that the big Premier League teams only loan their youth players out with assurances that they will play a decent percentage of games, so it’s very likely Grabara will be our first choice keeper. I k...
Who’s going to score the goals for Huddersfield Town this season?

Who’s going to score the goals for Huddersfield Town this season?

Opinion, Player profiles
This is the final part of a series of articles looking at Town’s squad ahead of the Premier League season opener against Chelsea tomorrow. I’ve already gone through the goalkeepers, defenders, central midfielders, and wingers. This article looks at the strikers and number tens within the squad... Numer tens Alex Pritchard Town looked an awful lot better when Pritchard arrived in January. Kasey Palmer and Tom Ince had played in the number ten role in the first half of the season, but neither was able to do the job properly. Pritchard's quality on the ball, ability to pick a pass, and energy make him perfect for the role. Pritchard has now had time to adjust to David Wagner’s system, and has a full preseason under his belt, so he could be even better this season. Town’s new wingers ...
Have David Wagner’s signings solved Town’s biggest problem?

Have David Wagner’s signings solved Town’s biggest problem?

Matches
Huddersfield Town have invested heavily in three new wingers this close season. This has been a wise move from David Wagner, as our lack of goals last season seemed to stem from a lack of creativity in the final third, rather than a lack of goal-scoring talent. The hope is that these new boys (and VLP) are able cause problems to opposition defences in a way we didn’t often manage last season. While there was no lack of effort from our wingers in our first year in the Premier League, they didn’t contribute enough in terms of goals or assists, so it’s understandable that we’ll be seeing three new faces in this area. This article will look at whether Town's wingers will be able to add some creativity and attacking dynamism to the final third... Adama Diakhaby I’m very excited about th...
Who’s going to get a chance in Huddersfield Town’s midfield this season?

Who’s going to get a chance in Huddersfield Town’s midfield this season?

Opinion, Player profiles
This is the third in a series of articles that takes a look at Town’s squad ahead of their Premier League season opener against Chelsea on Saturday. This one will focus on the midfield, follow the links to see the ones about our goalkeepers and defenders. Aaron Mooy I’ve said in the article about our defenders that Christopher Schindler was our best player last season, but Aaron Mooy has been the most influential player for Town over the last two years and has been a huge part of the success story we’ve experienced in getting into, and then staying in the Premier League. I find Aaron Mooy an absolute joy to watch, and when he plays well it elevates the whole team and tends to lead to good results. His passing is superb, his movement off the ball is also great, and over the past two ye...