An otherwise outstanding start has been clouded somewhat by two defeats from two, but the Terriers would be barking mad not to feel optimistic right now.
Has the Huddersfield bandwagon stalled? Wednesday’s abject defeat to Preston North End means it is two defeats from two for the Championship’s shock pacesetters, with any dreams of them ‘doing a Leicester’ feeling rather more fanciful. Reality hurts.
Coupled with the ominous form of Newcastle, Brighton’s steady improvement, and Norwich’s promotion nous, Huddersfield’s dipping form could hardly have come at a worse time. David Wagner’s side are fourth now and, while that still represents an outstanding start to the season for a side tipped for no more than mid-table, a slip can quickly become a slump in the most punishing of leagues.
Goals from Tom Clarke, Alex Baptiste and Paul Gallagher put Preston in cruise control while Wagner fumed on the touchline. The Terriers lacked bite, the German claimed, their fighting spirit deserting them on a ground where they haven’t tasted success since 1969.
Saturday’s home clash with Derby represents the first test of Town’s ‘bouncebackability’. For now, optimism remains in the air, as it should after an exceptional start to the season. For those who witnessed the annual struggles under Chris Powell and Mark Robins, a slight blip is hardly the end of the world.
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