Last night Huddersfield Town confirmed the squad numbers for the upcoming season. While they don’t always mean a great deal, I think there are a few hints at Carlos Corberán’s plans this season.
Here’s what we can work out.
Ben Hamer is our number 1
I’d say the shirt number that holds the most significance is the number 1 because getting this number is a clear sign from the hierarchy that you are the first choice between the sticks. Ben Hamer has been given that honour which sparked outrage online last night when it was announced.
It seems that part of the club’s new direction is to make the most of our existing assets and that means we may have to accept Hamer as our keeper. He made a series of howlers when he last played for Town and didn’t do much better while on loan at Derby last season.
I get the impression that fan criticism was a major factor in his confidence going during his first spell at Town. For that reason alone, I’m going to give him a fresh start and judge him solely on this season rather that mistakes from the past.
Danny Ward and Town show some class
After weeks and weeks of Town fans grumbling about the club, it was nice to see a decision that was met with universal acclaim. Danny Ward has chosen the number 25 shirt as a mark of respect for Jordan Sinnott, the former Town player that tragically died recently. Huddersfield Town have agreed to donate £5 to the Jordan Sinnott Foundation for every person that gets a replica shirt with either Sinnott 25 or Ward 25 printed on the back.
Well done to the person at Town that made this decision. It’s a reminder that the connection between the club and fans can be built back with gestures such as this.
Sohbi and Hadergjonaj not given squad numbers
While Corberán has already confirmed this pair’s likely departures, leaving them out of the squad numbers is further proof we won’t see either again in a Town shirt.
It’s unknown how close either are to getting their move away but I hope it’s soon so we can move forward. It could even be that the transfer fees received and wages freed up allow Town to go forward with some (much needed) additions to the squad.
Number 2 shirt still up for grabs
The only shirt number not taken between 1 and 11 is the number 2, which is traditionally worn by the first choice right back. Hopefully this was deliberately left vacant because a new right back will be joining us shortly.
It’s possible that Duhaney wanted the number 2 shirt but he’s not quite ready to be the main choice in his position. We need someone with a bit more experience for this role.
Youth players that could be given a chance
Town’s squad is very thin at the moment, so it was no surprise to see that the numbers have been bulked up with youth players. While being given a squad number isn’t a guarantee you’ll get picked for any games, it’s a sign that you’re under consideration. Here’s a list of the academy players given squad numbers:
- Demeaco Duhaney
- Kian Harratt
- Romoney Crichlow
- Aaron Rowe
- Ben Jackson
- Ryan Schofield
- Jacob Chapman
- Josh Austerfield
- Matty Daly
- Rarmani Edmonds-Green
- Kieran Phillips
- Mustapha Olagunju
- Jaheim Headley
- Micah Obiero
I’m not all that clued up on our youth prospects but a few in the above list are likely to play for the first team this coming season. Daly, Edmonds-Green, Rowe, Schofield and Harratt could all play a part. The others are more likely to feature for the B team or go out on loans but could feature at some point.
It’s a fresh start for a number of players who not be on many fans Christmas list but it is a new start in many ways within the club and any player who steps over the whitewash in a town shirt should get the full support of all the true fans.
Absolutely agree. I’m not sure I’d have offered some of our squad another chance but if they’re showing willing then I’ll back them when they’re on the pitch. I just hope the club act swiftly if any revert to their previous ways.
What it really says is that the club has no ambitions and an owner who really can’t afford a Championship football club. Town needed at least 7 new players. All we have got up to now is a Cardiff reject and the possibility of a couple of loans. I hope I’m wrong but it looks like a Jan Siewart rerun or worse!
I think the ambition for this season will be to survive, pay down some of the debt and develop the style of play. Given how fickle football can be, it could be the whole project is scrapped by the end of October and we’re back to grinding out results. I’m trying to be positive but there’s a lot of work to do before I’ll feel confident that the football will live up to the hype.
New coach, new start, let’s see what happens this season and let’s hope we as fans can get back to our stadium to support the team, I’ve supported town for 39 years and I’ve seen us in much much worse situations than this so get behind them NO matter what, for all the young people and new supporters who see 20,000 plus in our great stadium think what it was like when we averaged less than 10,000 a game, you have been spoilt so take the ups and downs and in 30 years time us old farts might listen to your opinions, it’s not a sprint it’s a marathon and be in it for the long haul, good luck to the whole club for this season, I can’t wait to be back UTT TTID