Match Preview

Huddersfield vs Watford

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Huddersfield get set for their first league game of 2015 looking to put on a show for their supporters.

The first game of 2015 was an instantly forgettable one with the Terriers failing to test the keeper and register a shot on goal; a pretty unforgivable stat when you are at home.

They couldn’t face a much sterner test than a Watford side who have their eyes firmly on the top end of the Championship table and have just recruited Mexico’s left back Miguel Layun in the January Transfer window.

Huddersfield on the other hand have just shipped out Jon Stead, Adam Hammill & Danny Ward with no re-enforcments yet in sight for Huddersfield supporters to clammer over.

This will be a stern test and ultimately Watford may prove just too strong, but as we all know Town have the ability to shock us and generally do better against the top sides, possibly as they come here & attack meaning our Counter attacking threat is at full force, as apposed to sides like Reading & Birmingham who came and sat, and we struggled to break them down.

An intriguing afternoon ahead in what will be wet & windy conditions.

Vital Quotes: Chris Powell

Speaking to the clubs offical site:-

There were no positives to take from last weekend,”

“I felt sorry for our fans because we just didn`t perform. We`ve done our best to move on from a particularly below average day at the office, because it`s now time to focus on Watford.

“It will be an open game on Saturday and I think, from what I`ve seen, we`re better in those. We like to play our stuff and we`ve been good at it, in the main, at home. Our last League result was a pulsating, terrific open game against Bolton and I thought we deserved the three points. That`s how we have to play.

“I watched Watford at Chelsea on Sunday and they`re very assured. They have some good players all over the park, like Troy Deeney. He`s got great physical attributes, so we can`t drop off too much and give him time – along with the likes of Vydra and Forestieri. We`ve got to stay strong and resolute and defend well, individually and as a unit.

“They`ll come here to attack and we`ll have to be ready for that, but equally I think we can attack them. We`ll be fully prepared to play our part in what is hopefully another home win against a good side.”

“Sadly we`re missing Jonathan Hogg. He`s a huge miss, which I`m not afraid to say. I feel he`s shown people – myself included – what sort of player he is. He`s very influential with and without the ball and I really like his intensity. I think he`s very underrated and effective. He dovetails very well in the middle with Conor Coady and Jacob Butterfield.

“We`ll have to tweak things now and be slightly different in our approach. We`ll need the players we have out there in midfield to be disciplined, because normally Jonathan defends both boxes.

“I`m not too sure if Saturday will come too early for Murray (Wallace) too. To be fair we knew there was a possibility he would have to come off last weekend due to his hamstring, but he`s been involved in some good wins after patiently waiting for his chance. It`s a shame that happened, because he`s been doing very well. He`s part of the young core I mentioned earlier.

“Jake Carroll has returned from Scotland with a knock and Joe Murphy is only in light training, so he is a number of weeks off yet.

“On the upside, Joel Lynch is training very well; he looks strong. Hopefully he will be alright and up for selection on Saturday.”

Huddersfield Town Team News:

Jonathan Hogg (suspended)

Joel Lynch hopeful of returning

Murray Wallace (Hamstring) is a doubt

Jacob Butterfield could be set for a recall to the first team having been rested for the FA Cup match

Adam Hammill & Danny Ward have both left the club

Player to watch: Alex Smithies

It could be a busy afternoon for the Town keeper

Watford Team News:

Heurelho Gomes and Ikechi Anya are set to return from injury.

Striker Fernando Forestieri (hamstring) is a doubt.

Joel Ekstrand (back) and Gabriel Tamas (cruciate) are both out.

A debut could be handed to Mexican left back Miguel Layun

Player to watch: Troy Deeney

The striker who plundered 25 goals last season is already on 9 this campaign from 21 appearances

Match Facts & Stats

Head-to-Head

? Watford won the earlier meeting this season 4-2 at Vicarage Road in August.

? The Hornets have won four of the last five meetings, losing one. Huddersfield’s only win since 2000 was 4-1 at Vicarage Road in May last season; with Danny Ward netting a hat-trick

? Watford have won the last three meetings at the John Smith’s Stadium. Huddersfield’s last win at home was 2-0 in the old Division One in September 1998.

Huddersfield

? Huddersfield have won only one of their last five games in all competitions. Their only win since early December was 2-1 against Bolton at home in the Championship on 28 December.

? The Terriers have lost two of their last three home games in all competitions, losing 1-0 against Birmingham in the Championship and 1-0 against Reading in the FA Cup; indeed failing to register a shot on goal in the latter.

Watford

? Watford have won four of their last five games in the Championship, losing one. Their only league defeat since November was 1-0 against Wolves at home on Boxing Day.

? The Hornets have won their last three away games in the Championship, against Fulham, Reading and Cardiff.

Match Prediction:

I am not one for predicting defeats but I think Watford may prove just too strong for this current Huddersfield side.

Huddersfield 1-3 Watford

Next Fixtures:

17 Jan 2015 – Middlesborough (A) – 3pm


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