Huddersfield prepare to fight back

Huddersfield Town are preparing to fight back from their 6-1 away defeat to Leicester City at The Valley tomorrow. They have now gone ten games without a win and fans are talking about the risk of relegation which to me just suggests how disproportionately pessimistic fans can be about their own team: Huddersfield .

They have a number of injury worries ahead of the game: Injuries

What we don't want from this game is a draw, leading to a replay we would probably lose, which wouldn't generate much income and which would carry with it the risk of injuries and suspensions.

The Addicks are being linked with Aldershot striker Danny Hylton (along with Portsmouth and Peterborough): Hylton. It's a big step up from League 2 and I would be more interested in strengthening the midfield.

Injury worries for Huddersfield

Huddersfield Town boss Simon Grayson feels that his side are entering a defining part of their season. He is expecting a tough game at The Valley today, acknowledging that Charlton are a hard working side who give their all and are not entirely without quality: Huddersfield

Grayson faces injury worries in his attack. Jermaine Beckford and Sean Scannell are doubtful while another forward, James Vaughan, has been out for five games with a thigh strain. Grayson is likely to start with Simon Church, on loan from Reading, and Lee Novak.

In the 1-2 home defeat to Brighton last Saturday Novak found his job difficult because of a lack of possession in the final third while Church missed a glorious chance in the first half, but scored later on. In goal Alex Smithies was let down by poor defending. Oliver Norwood is a busy and lively midfielder who always makes himself available for the ball.

Two of the pundits had Huddersfield finishing 18th at the beginning of the season and the other 14th. A lot was thought to depend on whether Jordan Rhodes would stay, which he didn't. However, Huddersfield have confounded expectations and are now in eighth place having won four of their eight away games. Fans are now demanding investment in the Christmas transfer window to make a push for the Premiership.

It's my fourth trip down to London this week after the House of Commons, UCL and the Sky studios at Millbank, but one I am particularly looking forward to with hopes of a home victory by two goals to one.

Swindon wanted Green

Richard 'Creepy' Crawley has tweeted that Swindon wanted Danny Green on an emergency loan, but Charlton did not agree. Three younger players went out on loan yesterday to gain experience: Loan

The bookies have Charlton as favourites to win tomorrow, but Huddersfield are hoping that their solid away record and the indifferent record of Charlton at home will count in their favour: Huddersfield

The weather forecast does not look too promising with the prospect of heavy rain arriving by the start of the game and possibly high winds as well which does not make for a good match.

Addicks to beat drop

Charlton will escape the drop to League 2 this season, according to the season preview in Four Four Two. However, they will finish 18th, just above the drop zone. (At least that's what they said in the print version: now a web version has changed their forecast to 4th!)

Huddersfield and Sheffield Wednesday are forecast to occupy the automatic promotion places. Preston, Leyton Orient, Scunthorpe and Carlisle will contest the play offs. I'm not sure I buy into the idea of Orient as the surprise package, for all of Russell Slade's qualities. And I see Carlisle as destined for mid-table mediocrity while I would put Sheffield United higher than 7th.

The magazine comments, 'you have to spread the net far to find a Football League ground where the general vibe is as negative as it's been at The Valley in recent years.' However, 'South-east Londoners Chris Powell [?] and Bradley Wright-Phillips have the passion to taken Charlton back up.'

However, Powell is warned, 'he might have to abandon any ideals of slick football in faviur of a style that is more agricultural. Much to prove.'

Trevor Wood in the fan file fears 'dull football and more mid-table mediocrity.' Nevertheless, he reckons we can finish in the top six if we find a decent back four. He names Peter Varney as unsung hero at the club.

Huddersfield prepare for cup final

St.Gallen: Huddersfield are preparing for their 'cup final' at The Valley this afternoon. They think that it will be a tough match against a Charlton side who have 'under achieved' this season: Huddersfield

I hope to get back from Switzerland in time to listen to the match commentary.

And now Huddersfield

Unfortunately I am going to miss the Huddersfield match on Saturday. I have to go to Switzerland for some meetings and won't be back in Birmingham until lunchtime on Saturday. Hopefully I will be in time to listen to the commentary, although I wish the commentators would talk more about what is happening on the pitch rather than anything that enters their head. It may be that there has been a pointless hoof up the pitch, but it would still be nice to know.

Last night Rochdale beat Southampton 2-0 which puts our own result against the surprise package of the division in perspective. It also shows what confidence can do for a team. It does, however, make Saturday's game even more significant for Huddersfield. Earlier in the season, of course, this looked like a match which could be significant for both teams.

Christian Dailly has received very harsh treatment in his suspension for the rest of the season. We shall see the return of Doherty, a honest player but too reliant on the powerful but directionless header.

It also appears that Jackson's achilles problem will put him out of contention for the rest of the season. We have missed his contribution.

Huddersfield are going to want it more on Saturday, but it's another chance to show that Charlton is edging towards quality. However, I fear a 1-2 defeat.

Finally, congratulations to Brighton on their deserved promotion. They have shown that it is possible to play quality football in the third division.

Terrified?

Charlton's visit to the Galpram Stadium tomorrow has been billed as a tough test and rightly so. Huddersfield were given odds of 2-1 for promotion at the beginning of the season, although 4-4-2 had them finishing 6th and facing another play-off test. Last season the Terriers produced a free-flowing brand of football and only lost at home once.

In their time, when Herbert Chapman was manager, Huddersfield were one of the top teams in English football. Times have changed, but one could still argue that they are punching below their weight.

All my memories of seeing Charlton at Huddersfield are happy ones as I have only see them win there, including a Johnnie Robinson strike which I rate as one of the great Charlton goals of all time.

Manager Lee Clark, who was named Manager of the Month three times last season, has one of the biggest budgets in the division to play with. Over the summer he brought in Scottish international Gary Naysmith, Burnley midfielder Joey Gudjonsson and keeper Ian Bennett (Gordon's brother) on a free after his contract at Sheffield United had expired. Former Tractor Jordan Rhodes managed 23 goals last season.

The Terriers have had a somewhat faltering start to the season, reflecting a concern expressed in the fan's view in 4-4-2 that 'Our signings don't gel with the existing squad, meaning a slow start.'

There is no sign of the three Charlton signings flagged up at Monday's meeting, but even if they were signed today they could intervene from the bench at most. It seems that some silly prices have been asked for far from impressive players. Apparently we are still chasing Paul Benson and talks have been taking place with Jon Fortune and we are reportedly close to a deal.

I know this sounds like a cop out, but I genuinely believe that this is a game that could go three ways. I am plumping for a 1-1 draw which would be acceptable in the circumstances.

Huddersfield sign Glazier

Having gone down 5-1 at Everton in the Carling Cup, Huddersfield have signed a striker from Crystal Palace to strengthen their squad: Lee

Huddersfield haven't been finding it to easy to score. Let's hope he is not our nemesis on Saturday.

Away point against play off challengers

Nicky Bailey has picked up an ankle injury, so Christian Dailly takes the captain's armband, a role which some think he has deserved for some time writes Paul May from Huddersfield. Sam Sodje partners him in the centre of defence and Randolph is preferred in goal to Warner, contrary to expectations.

Wagstaff gets a start in midfield and is partnered by Semedo, Racon and Reid. Mooney and Forster are up front in the 4-4-2 formation.

Mooney got in behind the rather flat footed defence, but Huddersfield were able to clear and counter attack but it ended in a Charlton throw in. Neither team dominated in the opening phase.

Charlton won the first corner. Borrowdale's effort went beyond everyone for a goal kick.

Sodje headed clear after Robinson advanced. Racon put in a good challenge as Huddersfield attacked again. Richardson had to deal with a potentially threatening Terriers attack just after the quarter hour. They then reverted again to the long, high ball which the Charlton defence was well able to deal with.

Sodje dealt well with a threatening attack and then Mooney was fouled in a poor challenge on the halfway line. Reid conceded a free kick in a promising position for the home side. It was deflected for the first Huddersfield corner which ended in a goal kick for Charlton.

Collins tried a shot but Sodje blocked it. Racon was left crumpled in a heap by a dreadful challenge, but only a yellow was awarded. Peltier should have received a red for such a late and over the top challenge.

Wagstaff advanced well, but Forster's header went out of play. Mooney and Forster were not really linking up well. Robinson challenged Randolph, but the keeper cleared with a punch.

Charlton won a corner kick after pressure from Mooney and Forster. It led to a second, but the Terriers dealt with it. Dailly hauled down Robinson and received a yellow card. The free kick was whipped in and the ball hit the crossbar. A free kick from Drinkwater was dealt with by Sodje.

Two minutes were added on. A last minute Huddersfield attack led to a corner. It had not been an impressive performance by either team while word came through that Millwall were 3-0 ahead at the Toolbox.

Half time: Terriers 0, Addicks 0

Charlton won a corner, Smithies punched the ball out and then clattered into Dailly and collapsed on the pitch, but recovered quickly enough. Charlton won another corner which led to a throw in for the Addicks.

A well delivered cross allowed Rhodes to score on 53 minutes with a header with Randolph left with no chance. Borrowdale was caught out of position in the build up.

Randolph did well with a clearance. A handball by Peltier was ignored, Huddersfield surged forward and tried to claim a penalty. From the corner of the penalty area Reid put in an unstoppable volley to make it 1-1.

Forster was hauled down by the Australian Heffernan as he broke away. A free kick was awarded, but no yellow card. The free kick was unproductive. Robinson advanced into the penalty area, but Huddersfield were not able to take the opportunity.

Randolph had words with Semedo about the wall after a Terriers free kick which was unproductive. Semedo got a warning from the referee Mr Singh for a high boot.

Huddersfield advanced down the right, but Pilkington put in a dreadful cross. Mooney looked for Forster, but Trotman was able to intervene. Robinson advanced, but Charlton were able to clear their lines.

Huddersfield advanced down the right again, but Randolph was able to gather comfortably. Rhodes put in a shot, but Dailly put in a good block at the cost of conceding a corner. Forster did some defending.

Sodje went down and looked as if he was in some discomfort. He appeared to be having some attention to his nose.

A cross came into the far post but it was headed away brilliantly by Sodje. The tiring Borrowdale, who seemed to lack full match fitness, was taken off and replaced by Chris Solly.

A highly dubious corner kick was awarded to Huddersfield after the ball went out off one of their players, but the referee rectified matters by giving Charlton a free kick for a non-existent foul.

Akpo Sodje came on for Nicky Forster. It might have been better to take the lightweight Mooney off. Sam Sodje dealt well with a good ball from a free kick at the expense of the corner. Huddersfield attacked again, but Charlton cleared their lines. Reid should have turned provider for Wagstaff who had made a good run.

The lino gave a free kick against Solly as word came through that Norwich were ahead against Leeds. Randolph made a good save. Reid won a corner after a throw in near the corner flag. Richardson's effort led to a goal kick.

Three minutes were added on. We heard that Wycombe had equalised at Colchester. Wagstaff put in a poor delivery and it ended in a goal kick. Reid's run led to an effort that was deflected wide. There was a suspicion of handball by Huddersfield.
The corner kick was gathered by Smithies.

We would have taken an away point against play off challengers Huddersfield before the game.

Smart money favours draw

A lot of the smart money on tomorrow's match between Huddersfield Town and Charlton favours a draw. I suppose I retain a no doubt forlorn hope that with the addition of Nicky Forster to the squad, Charlton might just sneak a win.

One challenge for Parky will be who to put in goal. The Iberian Valley blog has already suggested that Randolph looks likely to be passed over again, although in my view he has never done that much wrong in his career at Charlton. But perhaps this is an occasion for experience.

The Batley and Birstall News previews tomorrow's 'tough test' for Town against 'high flying' Charlton: Batley

Re-living happier days

It was the last televised match of the 20th century in the old first division. Chalton's attempt to return to the Premiership was faltering, but a 2-1 victory at table topping Huddersfield was in many ways the turning point. Johnnie Robinson was the hero of the hour. Relive the experience here: Huddersfield