Stoke (A) Preview
Brady Frost, Feature Writer
Twitter: @brady0894
Source for image above: HTAFC
Back from the international break and straight to the Bet365 Stadium for Town, Ben Rowley from The YYY Files previews the Stoke match and tells us more about the resurgence under Michael O’Neill.
It's been two weeks since Huddersfield’s 1-1 draw against Luton Town and if you’re pleased that football’s back after the international break, then good news because the EFL has said ‘oh you like football do you? Well here’s 11 Huddersfield Town games in the next 38 days, a game basically every four days, do you like that?’ In the same way when a dad catches you smoking a cigarette and makes you smoke the whole pack.
What’s been coughed up next on the fixture list for The Terriers is the trip to Stoke this Saturday, a side that’s eighth in this early season table and has won three games in its last five. Last season though, both teams were dire and it was actually Huddersfield who came away with all three points at the Bet365 Stadium, thanks to Juninho Bacuna’s late winner. The home fixture last season? Can’t remember it or we certainly don’t want to.
How is the opposition looking going into this game? Well, both Stoke goalkeepers Angus Gunn and Adam Davies are out injured, so it’s young lad Joe Bursik, who was recalled from Doncaster who looks set to be in between the sticks. Ben Rowley from Stoke fan podcast, The YYY Files is here to give us further news on The Potters for the game including how former Town favourite Tommy Smith is getting on, his surprise at Danny Cowley being dismissed and the key behind Stoke’s resurgence.
Without manager Michael O’Neill, Stoke would be in League One according to Ben from The YYY Files. Photo source: Stoke City
Last time our two teams played each other, Town lost 5-2 at home and it was one of the worst games under Danny Cowley’s tenure. What did you make of the game and what are you expecting from the game on Saturday?
Stoke had only recently appointed Michael O’Neill at this time and, despite showing obvious signs of improvement, relegation was firmly still on the cards for Stoke. The way Stoke recovered from 2-1 down in that game on New Year's Day was fabulous and it was a second-half to remember for us. I’m expecting Stoke to be even more of a force this time: with so much more time under O’Neill, he’s shaped the squad and players individually into his vision. He now has a squad oozing with confidence.
What are your general expectations for the season? You’ve made an impressive start.
Our start has been really encouraging! Sometimes our performances look disjointed but our results have been excellent on the whole. We look to be making a genuine push for playoffs and we’re still in the League Cup too. Did I expect us to be in this position? No, I expected a more evolutionary rise. Am I surprised? No, we have a squad, manager and club which absolutely has the potential to be in the position we’re in. This time, we’re avoiding regularly underperforming and we’re finally fulfilling our potential.
From the outside, Michael O’Neill seems to have stabilised Stoke when since your relegation from the Premier League, you looked to be imploding. Just how big has his appointment been to The Potters?
He’s the sole reason we’re not in League One right now. Stoke fans cannot express how magical he has been for us. We were a ship hurtling to the depths and so many managers came here in an attempt to turn us around. O’Neill is the only one to have lived up to his promises, by giving us a team to be proud of and giving the players the confidence and tools to be able to go out and perform week in, week out.
Saturday’s game means we’ll see a familiar face in former fan favourite Tommy Smith, who moved to Stoke from Huddersfield. Photo source: Stoke City
Former fan favourite Tommy Smith joined Stoke following Town’s relegation to the Premier League. How has he been doing since he left The Terriers and what do Stoke fans think of him?
He’s our only right back, for a start! Tommy’s been solid and certainly has asserted himself into this wingback role he’s stumbled upon under O’Neill. His crosses are pretty dangerous and his intercepting ability is so impressive. I think he can show signs of complacency and panic when Stoke are defending backs-against-the-wall. But overall, there’s a reason why the previous regular right-back, young local lad Tom Edwards, is now out on loan.
Which player from your current squad do you think will be one to watch this season?
There’s plenty and the Championship will be well familiar with a few of them. But young Harry Souttar is the one grabbing the headlines. The 6’7” Australian international has owned the centre back role since O’Neill gave him his chance. He’s powerful, athletic and intelligent and, at only twenty-one years old, he’s only going to get better as his debut Championship season progresses.
Stoke brought in a couple of players over the transfer window, have you been impressed with your business? Any of the new signings that you think will do well?
Steven Fletcher has been a breath of fresh air up front: a striker that can score goals, hold up and distribute the ball well and annoy opposing defences. Jacob Brown is such an exciting option to bring off the bench and his future looks to be very bright indeed. John Obi Mikel is that midfield enforcer we’ve been crying out for since we lost Glenn Whelan in 2017. Morgan Fox is only one of two senior left-backs Stoke have had in around thirteen years. And finally, it’s a good job we brought in Angus Gunn to replace Jack Butland: with Adam Davies out injured, we needed someone confident and competent in goal to replace two goalkeepers who have been great for Stoke at their peaks.
Carlos Corberán says Stoke are a “team with a lot of possibilities; they have big physical defenders and strikers, and at the same time they have quality players on the pitch”. Photo source: HTAFC
Is there anything Huddersfield need to be on the lookout for in this game?
Pace up front: we now have lots of it. Tyrese Campbell is fast and a very naughty boy up front who will give defenders a hard time if they let him. James McClean has retained his athleticism and his determination, you’ll know all about his game by now. And, as mentioned before, Jacob Brown has been coming off the bench and causing problems too, bursting away from the defence and rounding the goalkeeper to score Stoke’s third in added time against Reading. Watch out.
What are Stoke’s weaknesses, is there anything Huddersfield can take advantage of?
Some pretty clumsy defending at times. Despite Souttar being excellent and almost ever-present, his defensive partners have changed pretty much every game. This means that he’s not used to a regular back four/five and sometimes this shows as players are still learning how to defend as a unit. We tend to rely on individual brilliance, although O’Neill is quickly drilling his defence and identifying his best players to fit within it.
What are your expectations for Huddersfield Town this season?
To be honest, I was surprised as most when Danny Cowley left over the off-season and it meant that I had no idea what to expect from Huddersfield this time around. Losing Karlan Grant must also be a massive blow, but your new manager seems to be squeezing out some decent results here and there. I did call for Huddersfield to be relegated at the start of the season, but now I’m not so sure...
What’s your score prediction for the game?
I’ve got to go for a Stoke win. We’re flying at the moment and your recent results have been poor. The international break may mean that the form book flies out the window, but I’m so confident that this Stoke team can pull out a good result that I’m going to go for a 3-1 win. Watch this come back to bite my optimism fairly brutally… All the best for the season!
How do you think Huddersfield will get on against Luton? Let us know in the comments!
Our Predictions:
Brady: 1-1.
Kosi: 2-0 win for Stoke.
Matt: 1-1.
Neil: 2-1 win for Huddersfield.
Pozza: 2-1 win for Stoke.
Scoring system: A correct score wins three points, a correct result wins a point.
