Huddersfield chairman Dean Hoyle has added to the build-up ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Canaries by claiming the pair are “two of the best footballing sides in the division”.
While it’s common knowledge that City are the team to beat, the Terriers are a match for anyone on their day and with an unbeaten home record still intact, it promises to be a cracking encounter.
But Town have had a slump of late and go into the clash on the back of two away defeats at Southampton – a 5-0 tonking – and Gillingham.
And that has prompted Hoyle to issue a rallying cry to the Town faithful, with a decent crowd expected at the Galpharm Stadium with Lee Clark’s men eyeing a return to the top six.
“It promises to be a great game on Saturday between two of the best footballing sides in the division,” said the Huddersfield chairman, speaking to the club’s official website.
“We’re expecting one of our biggest gates of the season so far and I would encourage everyone to make as much noise as possible as we look to continue our push for the play-offs.
“We are the only remaining holders of an unbeaten home record in the Football League and I am confident that with the fans’ backing that will still be the case after the weekend.”
Meanwhile, Town boss and ex-City assistant manager Clark has used a rare midweek off to fine-tune his preparations ahead of the vital League One showdown.
And he’s certainly looking forward to what should be an entertaining clash. The Terriers are known for their expansive style of play and there could be plenty of goals, especially considering the Canaries’ status as leading goalscorers in the division.
“You take the fixtures the way they fall, and this is an opportunity to try and freshen the lads up a bit,” said Clark, who was Glenn Roeder’s number two before accepting the hot seat in west Yorkshire.
“Saturday’s game has all the makings of a real cracker, and the aim is to prepare as well as we possibly can do so we’re spot-on by Saturday.
“We’ve had a bit of a blip, but when we’re on our game, I believe we can beat any side in the division, and this is the perfect chance to prove it.”
In team news, Clark could hand a place to former Norwich trialist Lee Peltier at the weekend after he missed the last two games through injury.
Town have one definite absentee this weekend – Nathan Eccleston is suspended following his straight red card in his last outing at Gillingham and will serve the first game of his three-match ban.
For the league leaders, the only possible change would be to accommodate Darel Russell, who returns after a three-game suspension.
With Huddersfield’s attacking capabilities, City chief Paul Lambert may decide that a central midfield pairing of Korey Smith and Wes Hoolahan is too lightweight.
But it would also be no surprise to see him stick with the same team that brushed aside Yeovil at Carrow Road last weekend, with Russell having to wait a little while longer before making his return.
Don’t go too far away tomorrow as MFW will bring you all the latest news and views from Paul Lambert’s pre-match press conference ahead of that vital Huddersfield clash.
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