THE EXCITING YOUNG MIDFIELDERS ON THE BRINK OF HUDDERSFIELD’S FIRST TEAM
Zak Armitage, Feature Writer
Twitter: @ZakSportWriter
Source for image above: HTAFC
Carlos Corberan may have some decisions to make in midfield, towards the end of this season, and in to next season due to the number of impressive young midfielders at the club. Town have always had good a pedigree of developing midfielders through the academy with examples from the last decade including Duane Holmes, who never quite made it at Town, but has gone on to shine for Derby County, Philip Billing and most recently Lewis O’Brien. And in the not so distant future Carlos Corberan could face a dilemma, with the number of exciting midfielders on the brink of the team, currently being lead by Josh Austerfield.
Austerfield who joined Huddersfield as an 8 year old in 2009, from his local team in Drighlington, has experienced the Terriers rise over the last decade and the managers and cultures that have come with it. And the three managers prior to Carlos Corberan have had the most impact on Austerfield. David Wagner put a great emphasis on “Terrier Spirit” and “Terrier Identity” and brought to Huddersfield a blueprint for gegenpressing, something which he instilled from the first team, down to the youth teams. Jan Siewert continued these ideas in his brief spell at the club, before Danny Cowley gave Austerfield his first taste of senior football a year ago. Under Cowley, Austerfield was handed the opportunity to train with the first team, and appeared on the bench on a handful of occasions last season. These experiences clearly benefited Austerfield, who is regarded as one of the clubs most exciting young prospects, and has recently signed a new contract until 2024, giving him a generous amount of time to make his breakthrough.
Town have already made an impression in the Championship so far this season, and a position that has particularly caught the eye has been the midfield. Carel Eiting already looks like a brilliant signing for the club, while Juninho Bacuna has a lot potential, and delivered an impressive performance against Derby a fortnight ago. Other options in midfield include the experience of Jonathan Hogg, Alex Pritchard, the previously mentioned Lewis O’Brien, and newcomer Alex Vallejo, while youngster Matty Daly has featured off the bench on a couple of occasions this season. And yet Corberan could be faced with more options soon, Austerfield’s contract extension is a reminder of his potential. And breathing down his neck are the likes of Scott High and Jaheim Headley, who are both gaining experience on loans, and French duo Brahima Diarra and Etienne Camara who recently arrived at the academy from Angers. These players will be well aware of Corberan’s prior work with young players and recognise the opportunities that are in front of them.
With the exception of Camara, the players mentioned have already trained with the first team, and featured in pre-season friendlies. So the senior players will surely feel the presence of these exciting young players players vying for their spots in the team. Corberan is no stranger to working with young players, such was his position at previous club Leeds United. So if performances drop off in the midfield expect these young players to be handed opportunities in the team, with Josh Austerfield being the most likely to grab a spot.
What do you think is the next step for Austerfield, a place in the team, a loan similar to Lewis O’Briens at Bradford, or continuing to learn the new style of play at Town in the B team? All these options will in one way or another benefit this exciting young midfielder, who is at the front of the queue for young players attempting to make a breakthrough in the first team.
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