Stoke City (H) Preview
Brady Frost, Feature Writer
Twitter: @brady0894
Source for image above: HTAFC
Will Stoke stump Town or will The Terriers finally get a win in 2021? Ben from The YYY Files gives us an update on Huddersfield’s opponents in the latest match preview.
You could argue that the midweek game against Bristol City was a microcosm for Huddersfield’s season so far. Defensive mistakes? Check. Chasing the game because of it? Check. Crafting a really well-worked goal after several attempts? Check. Not scoring enough to get what they deserve? Big check. 26 shots Town registered against Bristol, compared to Robins’ four and who won? Yeah, you guessed it.
How Huddersfield didn’t get at least a point in the match at Ashton Gate after that second half showing, we have no idea but the annoying point is this, if they weren’t so haphazard defensively, they wouldn’t have to go hell for leather in Bristol’s half when they’re 2-0 down.
Fraizer Campbell didn’t have the best game but he was never a prolific goalscorer and wasn’t expected to be the first-choice striker this season, Danny Ward was. Yes, Campbell should have scored at least one against Bristol, but we’d argue there’s no viable option to replace him with at the moment. Kieran Phillips is a talented youngster but hasn’t played a full game in this league, so we have no idea what level he is at - still he should be getting more minutes. Danny Ward can’t stay fit this season, so at the moment it’s Campbell or bust.
The elephant in the room though is that Town have conceded the most goals in the league and have atrocious away form, which is something of a concern. Yet as many have pointed out, Town’s record at home is the third best in the league which explains why they’re currently midtable. So, as boring as it is to say, if Huddersfield sorts their leaky defence, they’ll probably win matches and won’t have to rely on Campbell to bail them out.
Which brings us to Stoke. The Potters are ninth in the table going into this game, but like Huddersfield are suffering from bad form. They’re in the bottom five of the form table, albeit above Huddersfield and have drawn five of their last five away matches.
The previous encounter between these two teams in November was an entertaining and frustrating match in equal measure as Town lost 4-3. Will we see the same result this time out? Well, the key players in that game, Tyrese Campbell, who caused Huddersfield no end of problems is out injured, Joel Pereira is unlikely to start and Richard Stearman still coming back from his own injury, so who knows what to expect?
To try and find out, Ben Rowley, from Stoke City fan podcast, The YYY Files, has provided And He Takes That Chance with an update on The Potters.
Ben from The YYY Files says “Michael O’Neill is still the right man to take Stoke forward. Photo source: Stoke City
What did you make of Huddersfield in the previous match between these two teams?
Stoke may have been fortunate with some of the goals they scored but it appeared Huddersfield are a team capable of mistakes. Stoke uncharacteristically conceded a fair few goals too, so maybe you guys know how to pick us apart.
From the outside, it seems like you’re struggling a bit at the moment in the league. Do you think Michael O’Neill still the right man to take Stoke forward?
Absolutely. We’ve had a problem in the striker position since Tyrese Campbell, Lee Gregory and Steven Fletcher all out injured. An injury to Morgan Fox meant we were forced into a back three and James McClean at wingback. Now that we’ve signed a replacement for Fox and seeing Fletcher back fit again, I’m hoping our form picks up accordingly.
We’re halfway through the season now, how would you rate your first half of the campaign?
Being in the hunt for playoffs and reaching the quarter-final of the League Cup, in the current circumstances and with an injury crisis in plenty of positions, we have to be happy with that. It’s a far cry from last season and we’ve got a chance to do better than a well-needed season of stability.
Rhys Norrington-Davies has joined on loan from Sheffield United but he spent the first half of the season on loan at Luton Town. Photo source: Stoke City
What are your hopes for the rest of the season, do you think you can improve?
It fully depends on our loan signings performing. Rabbi Matondo, Jack Clarke and Rhys Norrington-Davies are all young and hungry players, although they need to hit the ground running if we are to make play-offs. The latter has performed the best out of the three so far, but the wingers could come alive and help us score goals again soon.
Are you expecting any business in the January transfer window to address the squad? What do you make of Stoke’s window so far?
As mentioned above, our window has only been good in prospect and we need the players above to kickstart our season. We desperately need a striker if we’re to avoid a goal drought once our current lot inevitably become injured again. It’s a tough market to shop in and we’ve FFP over our heads. If we can hold onto our youth prospects too, I’ll be delighted with how it’s gone.
Are you expecting something different from the game against Huddersfield this time?
Certainly a different Stoke. The team last time out was a near-established outfield lineup. Now we have the new signings and the likes of Joe Allen and Sam Clucas to bleed back into the team too. I imagine Stoke will be less cohesive, although we’re potentially putting out a stronger side on paper this time.
Joe Allen is fit again and could play a part against The Terriers. Photo source: Stoke City
Who has been your best player this season? Anyone we need to watch out for in the game?
It would have been Tyrese Campbell up until his injury. Joe Bursik has done wonderfully in goal in the absence of Adam Davies and Angus Gunn. Harry Souttar has been the catalyst in defence to make us extremely solid indeed. But Nick Powell deserves the tag of Stoke’s player of the season so far for me. He’s had to play deep, at 10, out wide and up front for Stoke and he’s showed glimpses of brilliance and he’s becoming our most reliable source for goals.
What are Stoke’s key weaknesses this season, is there anything Huddersfield can capitalise on?
Goalscoring. We’ve not scored enough to outweigh our impressive defensive record. Draws need to become wins and we’re losing the odd game through a miss chance and a sloppy play of defence. It’s hard in the circumstances, but if you keep us quiet up top then you have got a chance of nicking something.
Have your expectations for Huddersfield Town changed for this season based on the previous game?
Not really. I thought you’d end up where you are right now since the transition of the manager. It was always going to be difficult but I was surprised at the sheer number of goals in the last game. I’m hoping for more of the same this time around.
What’s your score prediction for the game?
Stoke are a team who are solid at the back and are crying out for someone to pick up the goalscoring mantle. But, since it’s you guys, I’m gonna predict a 3-3 draw.
How do you think Huddersfield will get on against Stoke? Let us know in the comments!
