Huddersfield Town head to Wales to face Cardiff City in this afternoon’s Championship fixture.
The Bluebirds, who now play in Red, were of course relegated from last seasons Premier League and are favourites for promotion this time around.
Having lost many players from last seasons squad, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has recruited well this summer with proven Championship players joining the club, such as Adam Le Fondre, Federico Macheda & Tom Adeyemi, with Pilkington & Morrison perhaps the conclusion of Cardiff’s business this transfer window.
Huddersfield come into the game fresh off a 5-3 victory at Chesterfield, however the last league game saw a 4-0 home defeat and the departure of manager Mark Robins.
Cardiff come into the game having beaten Coventry City in the Capital One Cup, but drew their opening Championship fixture with Jordan Rhodes Blackburn side 1-1 with Kenweyne Jones scoring the first Championship goal of the season.
Vital Quotes:
“I`ve been here two and a half years here as Academy Manager so I know a lot of the players well. I sat down and had one-on-one chats with the new lads that have come in that I don`t know as well. I`ve got to know them quickly on a personal. That is important.
“That`s the way I am – I get right in amongst it. I will be Caretaker Manager for as long as it takes. I will treat players properly. We all got stuck in and we`re preparing for what is a massive game for us at Cardiff on Saturday.”
“I think we will be underdogs, as Cardiff are favourites to go up and rightly so. We can`t do anything about that – we have to focus on getting our lads in the right frame of mind to go and enjoy the game.
“When I was playing, if you had told me I was going to be running out in front of 30,000 fans in the Championship I would embrace it and that`s what I`ll be telling our players to do.
“We have some good Championship experience in this squad – it`s not like we`re playing a team of youth players. These lads can handle this division and we have to make sure we believe that we can compete at this level. Huddersfield Town is in its third season in the Championship now.”
I`ll be a proud man on Saturday. I live in Huddersfield and I`m proud to do so. I`m looking to embrace the contest against their dugout and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who is starting in management in England after a fantastic playing career.”
“We picked up a few knocks and bruises the other night over the 120 minutes, so we`ll have a chat and I`ll pick a team that will compete with Cardiff.”
“We`re missing Paterson, Gerrard and Vaughany, but otherwise we should be ok. They`re coming along ok but I don`t like putting timescales on returns, as I believe you shouldn`t rush players back when they`ve had injuries. We`ll be led by the medical team and the players themselves, because their frame of mind is important too.
“Every footballer hates being injured, because they want to be playing in games like Cardiff away.”
Cardiff City Team News:
Juan Cala returns from suspension
Craig Noone ruled out till September
Former Huddersfield players Anthony Pilkington & Sean Morrison hoping for debuts
Player to watch: Adam Le Fondre
Le Fondre is a goal getter and has a habit of notching past the Terriers.
Linked with moves in the past to HTAFC, let’s hope he doesn’t show us again what we missed out on!
Huddersfield Town Team News:
Jacob Butterfield hoping for a debut after joining from Middlesborough.
James Vaughan & Anthony Gerrard, both Calf, miss out
Player to watch: Conor Coady
Enjoyed a solid game at Chesterfield and will be key to Town’s midfield at Cardiff
Match Facts & Stats
Head-to-Head
The last meeting ended as a goalless draw at the John Smith’s Stadium in the Championship in February 2013.
Cardiff are unbeaten in the last three meetings in all competitions, winning two. Huddersfield’s last win was 1-0 at home in the old Division Two in January 2003.
Cardiff have won the last three meetings at home in all competitions. Huddersfield’s last win there was 2-1 in the old Division Two in September 2001.
Match Prediction:
Cardiff City 2-3 Huddersfield Town
Next Fixtures:
Reading (A) 19 August 19:45
Charlton (H) 23 August 15:00
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PELTIER: Club Captain 2014/15
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Vital Huddersfield Town on: Terrier24 says:
on the last visit we were cruelly denied by a late Mark Hudson header, let’s hope for revenge this time around, would settle for a late scrappy goal! Good luck to the boys!