Huddersfield Town: December 2010

Hello my friends and welcome back to my Huddersfield story.

December results at a glance

Our first game of a packed month was at home to Rotherham. We got off to an encouraging start with Theo Robinson hitting the post in the first couple of minutes and then Rhodes heading narrowly wide moments later. We continued to look for the opening goal until one stray pass across the midfield allowed Rotherham to break forward in numbers and we were a goal behind and it stayed that way until half time. Gasmi on the left flank looked far more dangerous after the break and it was his efforts that supplied the equalizing goal for Rhodes to head in just before the hour mark. Despite numerous other attacks we were unable to add to the score line.

Following the game I was absolutely stunned to receive this message about Jordan Rhodes.

We stayed at home for our next game which was the FA Cup replay against Millwall and the reserve players were back in. We got off to a dreadful start as Millwall took the lead early on from a free kick that screamed past Elliot Parrish between the posts. We fought back and we didn’t have to wait too long for the equalizer that came from Moguena who neatly placed the ball into the net off a pass from midfielder Goodwin. The rest of the game was a case of what could have been and eventually turned into extra time. I had saved my substitutions to this point and it paid dividends as Kircut’s fresh legs on the right flank easily sprinted past the Millwall defender and his cross found the head of Rhodes whose effort hit the bar but there was Sekour to follow through and smash the ball into the net to take the lead. We held on to the end of extra time for a delightful win. We will now face League 2 side Burton in the Third Round.

The following game was away to Leicester and one I would rather forget about. We were very much the second best on the day unable to cause the home side any problems at all. Our only goal of the game was headed in from a corner by Steve Gohouri who I had picked up on a free transfer in November so it was pleasing to see his heading abilities finally come to good use.

We stayed away from home for our next game which was the JPT semi-final at Boundary Park against Oldham. The home side put us under pressure straight from the kick off forcing Jansson who was returning from injury was forced to make a couple of saves in quick succession. Our first attack though proved more fruitful as Moguena’s cross found the boot of Nowlan to give us the lead inside two minutes. Moguena who was giving Oldham all kinds of trouble up front found the head of Simpson twice in the space of five minutes but both efforts hit the bar. It wasn’t until well into the second half that Simpson finally got the goal he deserved heading in from of course a Moguena cross. Oldham did pull one back but it was not enough and so we are going to be in the Northern JPT Final for the second straight season.

Next up was another home game this time against Brentford and once more it was raining. There’s not too much to be said about this one other than it was a midfield battle on a pitch that was showing to have very little grass left. Remember Johnny’s Notts County turf?

The following game was a trip to London to play Watford. I don’t know what it is about Huddersfield and the weather out this one was played out in the snow! It was a very difficult game to assess because of the conditions but nonetheless we took the lead with Simpson holding up the ball well and laying off to Moguena to fire home. At half time we were in the lead and looking comfortable. Things stayed pretty much the same up until the 79^th minute when Watford equalized from a corner and then for no good reason our heads dropped, passes went astray and there was unwillingness to fight for the ball. All this led of course to Watford getting the winner in the 90^th minute. Following the game I was informed that Youcef Sekour who was taken off at half time will be out for seven weeks which is a huge blow.

Here’s a screenshot of the snow!

The final game of 2010 was at home to Hartlepool and we got off to just the start we were looking for as Morten Neilsen headed one home off a Pilkington just after eleven minutes. Unfortunatley though we were never able to capitalize on taking an early lead and although we dominated possession the second goal never came and we ended the year on a dreary 1-0 win. It was good to get three points but we really have to start scoring more than one goal.

Current League Table

Next months fixtures

So not a whole lot of change in my league form but still a contender for a play off spot. If Rhodes leaves in the January transfer window that could certainly put a dent in my promotion chances.

Thanks for reading.