Bristol City (A) Preview
Brady Frost, Feature Writer
Twitter: @brady0894
Source for image above: HTAFC
It’s a midweek match for Town at Ashton Gate, but can they beat Bristol? James from BS3 Talk brings us up to speed in the latest match preview.
Another disappointing defeat for Huddersfield at home to Millwall meant The Terriers are still looking for their first win in 2021. Scott Malone popped up with the early goal and apart from Campbell’s missed penalty, which came from a good bit of play from Rolando Aarons and Lewis O’Brien, Town rarely threatened. With injuries affecting the team and the lack of creativity in the side at the moment, here’s hoping that this is the match to kickstart an upturn in form.
Speaking of form, Bristol are also a team that is suffering from bad results. Despite the comfortable 3-0 win in the FA Cup against Millwall at the weekend, The Robins are below Town in the form table in their last ten league games, winning four and losing the rest. Although it must be said, The Terriers have only won once in their last five, compared to Bristol’s two victories.
Even with Bristol’s shaky league results, they’re still above Huddersfield in the table in ninth place and just six points off the playoffs. Having lost 2-1 earlier in the season to The Robins, the trip to Ashton Gate has also been a bad place to visit for Huddersfield in recent years. Last season’s 5-2 defeat still stings but in fact, The Terriers haven’t won away to Bristol since April 2013, thanks to a James Vaughan hattrick. Ah, memories.
Coming away with a win at a ground you historically struggle at would be a good way to make a statement and help fans relax a little. To find out if it’s possible, James Cox, from Bristol City fan podcast, BS3 Talk, has provided And He Takes That Chance with an update on Dean Holden’s side.
James from BS3 Talk says “endeared himself to fans quicker than many expected, but a run of poor results - and perhaps more importantly, poor performances - has blotted his reputation somewhat.” Photo source: Bristol City
What did you make of Huddersfield in the previous match between these two teams?
The Terriers were in control for the first hour or so, until City switched up and eventually produced a comeback. It was, and always is between these two sides, a tight affair and I expect no less this week.
Is Dean Holden still popular among Robins fans? What are your thoughts on the manager?
Deano definitely endeared himself to fans quicker than many expected, but a run of poor results - and perhaps more importantly, poor performances - has blotted his reputation somewhat. However, most fans realise the issues are rooted much deeper than the manager, with some questionable decisions being made from above him.
We’re halfway through the season now, how would you rate your first half of the campaign?
Strange. Sometimes we've been strangely on it and impressive, and then bizarrely looked like a non league team a week later. Ultimately, considering the ridiculous number of injuries and a new manager, top half isn't all too bad.
Bristol had loaned out Kasey Palmer to Swansea at the start of the season but recalled him this month. Photo source: Bristol City
What are your hopes for the rest of the season, do you think you can improve?
I feel as if we'll either drop form drastically or pick it up quite well. We've got some good loanees returning, like former Huddersfield man Kasey Palmer, and hopefully we'll get some of the injured players back too. That would allow us to build and improve.
Are you expecting any business in the January transfer window to address the squad?
Not really. We heard rumours that a couple of our targets got injuries (they hadn't even arrived yet and we're getting them injured!) so I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't do any business.
Are you expecting something different from the game against Huddersfield this time?
Not particularly. The loss of Josh Koroma is a huge blow and therefore I think the game will lack any individual quality. However, I'd expect a good midfield battle between Nagy/Vyner/Bakinson and Lewis O'Brien. I'm a big O'Brien fan and it should be an intriguing scrap in the middle of the park.
Antoine Semenyo scored at the weekend and caused Huddersfield problems in the previous encounter earlier this season. Photo source: Bristol City
Who has been your best player this season? Anyone we need to watch out for in the game?
Goalkeeper Dan Bentley has been our player of the season by a country mile, but Antoine Semenyo will be the man to watch. He changed the game up at your place and hopefully we'll see a similarly electric performance from him!
What are Bristol’s key weaknesses this season, is there anything Huddersfield can capitalise on?
We recently got Alfie Mawson back from injury which solved our CB troubles, so I'd say our full backs are our biggest weaknesses. A firing Jack Hunt would cause you problems but if he isn't firing then he's usually very poor, and Tommy Rowe on the left can be very slow and laboured.
Have your expectations for Huddersfield Town changed for this season based on the previous game?
Not really. It was always going to be a tough season after a fairly recent change in management and a squad lacking much quality on the surface of things.
What’s your score prediction for the game?
I'd say 1-1. Our home form is pretty bad and you've got to get your first points of 2021 eventually, we're really generous when it comes to ending the opposition's poor runs!
How do you think Huddersfield will get on against Bristol? Let us know in the comments!
