Not very surprising news.

Danny Adams Banned For 4 Matches

I have a feeling he could be on his way out of the club after this. Hope I'm wrong though, because I think of him as a good little grafter (if a bit slow).

Paul Scholes in waiting???

Had an amusing conversation with my husbands mate at the Club last night. Now Sams mate is a bit of a bullshitter, to put it politely, and he was telling me how he knew a scout who worked for Manchester United, saying that this chap went to games in the lower divisions, so I said that had this chap ever been to the Galpharm. Sam's mate said he wasn't sure, so I said that maybe he ought to pay us a visit as there were a few players that might catch his eye.........

I went on to say that we had a midfielder who could be the natural successor to Paul Scholes "...lad we signed from Chesterfield, bags of potential, name of Mark Hudson..." - Sams mate nodded sagely, Sam threw me a look of utter contempt!! I really had the wind in my sails at this point "...and theres another player who could do a good job for United as well, centre-half called Nathan Clarke - could be as good as Bobby Moore, would look a treat alongside Rio Ferdinand...". Sams mate nodded interestedly. "...we wouldn't want much money for either of them, couple of bargains to be had...", I continued.

It was a bit cheeky of me I suppose, but as I said Sam's mate is a bit of a fibber so it was me getting my own back - Sam gave a right rollicking later ("...I don't know much about your team, but even I know that those two aren't much good - you told me so...")!!!!

The following passages were included in a leaflet distributed before yesterdays game, in a direct response to Ken Davys comments in the Bournemouth programme. Don't be mislead - this isn't some veiled "...Davy Out..." exercise, just some questions that need answering, but I'll let everyone make up their own minds about this.

(Thanks to PolishHippy from HTFC fans for the transcription).

Ken Davy’s statement – fans respond

The publication of Ken Davy’s statement a few weeks ago prior to the home game against Bournemouth was, according to Ken Davy, to set the record straight once and for all. Due to the local media being reluctant to publish or broadcast many of the concerns many supporters have about the finances and off field activities of Huddersfield Town, we have decided to publish this leaflet to air our concerns to as many supporters as possible and we hope this encourages open and honest exchanges between the board of directors and the fans of our club, whether they are part of officially recognised supporters organisations or not. We will set our concerns out separately as per Ken Davy’s statement.

1. The takeover: To quote from Ken Davy’s statement: “Despite the administrator setting several deadlines and lots of puff and wind and hot air from the sidelines, not a single meaningful offer was received.” The Huddersfield Daily Examiner ran a story on April 23rd 2003 that former director Paul Haigh had lodged a bid with the administrators to rescue Town. A direct quote from the story says: “His bid is the first to be received since Town went into administration on March 31 with debts of more than £17m.” Ken Davy’s bid was not reported by the Huddersfield Daily Examiner until May 13th 2003, three weeks after Paul Haigh’s consortium had tabled their bid. Why is there the need to distort the facts?
2. The Stadium: When the stadium complex was built it was envisaged that in the future it would generate income for its shareholders extra to its normal sporting activities. The Stadium Company (KSDL) is still paying off some of the initial debt used to finance the building of the stadium and of course the subsequent building of the Panasonic Stand. Despite this KSDL are recording profits of around £200,000 a year. Once the debts had been paid off there could well have been healthier profits to share between the shareholders of KSDL, including Town. But not anymore. How many Town supporters know that Town no longer own 40% of KSDL? How many people know that Town’s 40% was transferred to Huddersfield Rugby League Football Club (1994) in December 2003? Huddersfield RLFC was then renamed Huddersfield Sporting Pride.
3. Huddersfield Sporting Pride: What do we know about HSP? We know that HSP owns 60% of KSDL. We know that HSP own the Huddersfield Giants. According to Ken Davy’s statement HSP also brands the Stadium Superstore and the shop in town where both clubs sell their merchandise. We also know that HSP is also employing the new Director of Marketing, Sean Jarvis. What don’t we know? Who actually owns the Superstore and the shop in town? Do Town and the Giants pay rent for use of these shops? Do Town and the Giants keep their own profits from the sale of merchandise? What will be the proportions each club contribute to the salary of Sean Jarvis? Why is it alright for the Giants to be part of the company that now owns 60% of KSDL but Town are not part of that company?
4. Town, the Giants and KSDL: The sporting people of Huddersfield wish to see successful sporting clubs representing their town. The football and rugby league clubs have enjoyed a lot of national exposure following the building of the stadium. In terms of on the field success both teams have had their ups and downs. Since the opening of the stadium, Huddersfield RLFC have progressed from an average second division side to an established Super League team culminating in this season’s achievement of a place in the Challenge Cup final. No one begrudges them their success but many of us question the financial relationship which determines the amount of rent each club pays to KSDL. Is it fair that Town pay between 75-80% of the total rent KSDL charge both teams for the use of the stadium? After all both teams have office space all year round, both teams have use of the ticket office and Stadium Superstore all year round. The formula which determines the amount of money each club pays is very hard to obtain. Ken Davy, at a Patron’s Meeting at the beginning of this month, claimed not to know the formula. KSDL chief executive Ralph Rimmer, present at the same meeting, did not volunteer any information. We have written to KSDL company secretary and Kirklees employee Ken Gillespie in an attempt to obtain the exact formula upon which the rent is paid. After a less than full explanation about relative crowd sizes the point was still pressed and we were then subsequently told to ask the questions of Ralph Rimmer or from either club. Why the secrecy? As Town fans we feel the Giants are not paying their fair share in rent for their use of the stadium. Former Town Chairman Graham Leslie criticised the relationship between Town and KSDL shortly after Town went into administration stating some of Town's financial problems stem from the high rents and loan repayments committed to KSDL. None of these arrangements have changed since we came out of administration. Are these financial arrangements partially responsible for a projected loss this season of £454,275 as Ken Davy stated on 30th September?
5. Attendances, income, numbers and more numbers: We can accept that many of the free and discounted offers made to children are an investment for the future fan base of the club. We cannot accept that this should put us at a financial disadvantage compared with other clubs in this division. Other clubs have a variety of schemes aimed at attracting younger supporters so we are not alone in sacrificing income today in order to build a healthy fan base in years to come. Ken Davy provided us with some figures in his statement. We have been comparing his figures with past years. In 2004/05 season our turnover was roughly £4,100,000, our staff costs were £1,346,441 and our rent was around £611,000. In season 1994/95, our first year in the stadium, our turnover was £3,518,560, our staff costs were £1,605, 557 and our rent was £144,563. With an increase in season tickets sales last season, increased crowd figures, income from replica shirt sales and the money from the cup ties and play off games we suspect there will be a significant increase in turnover, maybe as much as £750,000. Our staff costs last season were £1,590,864 and our rent will probably be around the same as the previous season. As we can see, our staff costs are very similar to twelve seasons ago when our turnover was substantially less but alarmingly, our rent has increased well above inflation. Why? 6 More questions that need honest answers During the past three seasons we managed to pay off all the money owed to ex-players. Why is the money that was budgeted to pay off the ex-players not now available for Peter Jackson to strengthen the squad? Why has the squad got smaller and smaller for the past three seasons as turnover has increased? What other outgoings are Town paying other than rent that is contributing to the projected loss this season of £454,275? Are Town paying money to KSDL that should have been written off when we went into administration? Where does the advertising income go from the perimeter advertising boards? Does it go to KSDL or the clubs? Does each club sell its own advertising and keep the income or is it sold as a joint package? If it is, what proportion goes to each club? Is it shared out on the same basis as the rent is charged or is there a different formula in place for distributing joint income? Surely shared income and outgoings should be set using the same formula? Why won’t Ken Davy publish full financial accounts so that we can see where our income and outgoings are coming from and going to? We used to get to see full accounts under previous administrations. Ken Davy’s projected losses for this season give many of us grave concerns about the future viability of our club and our ability to compete for the signing of quality players we will need to establish Town as a top 30 Football League Club. Many of us were blinded by short term on the field success when Barry Rubery and Steve Bruce were at the club. The legacy of that period has taught us not to divert our eyes away from the off field activities of the club just because we have made good progress on the pitch after coming out of administration. At the moment there are more questions than answers. This situation needs to change.

Huddersfield Town 0-3 Brighton and Hove Albion

Ouch, where did that come from!!!!! Am I glad i was in work and not in attendance, although at dinner time I was quietly wishing I was there - just as well! From what I've heard both sides were as bad as one another, with Town being slightly worse than Brighton - the after match stats said it all for me - Town had 5 shots off target, none on target, and that, at home, is unacceptable.

A Jake Robinson hat-trick was Towns undoing, two goals in the first half, one just after half time, coupled with Danny Adams second sending off in less than a month made for a shambles.

As much as I love Jacko, I can't have it that he blames the players for this - conveniently overlooking the fact he picks the team!!! He also says that "...changes will be made...". What, you mean put a call out for Super Nathan - its going to happen......

Jacko on Huddersfield v Brighton (audio)

This Saturday I'll be on a bit of a downer when we play Brighton. It'll be the first Saturday when Town have been at home that I will have missed since before we lost to Yeovil at the end of last season. Fingers crossed though I should be at the Scunthorpe game the following week.

As for Saturday, I see no reason why we won't win again. We are on the up and up, whereas Brighton are 18th and riddled with injuries (so I hear). Will it be 1 up front again??? I really hope not, because it made us look woeful against Carlisle. We deserve better at home. I've mentioned before about trying 3-5-2, and who knows, Saturday might be a good time to experiment against an out-of-form outfit. But Jacko can be a bit stubborn as well we know, so he might not want to change the formation, even though we didn't turn around the game against Vale last Saturday until we did.

Hopefully (if the tactics are correct) it should be at least 3-0 to Town (I predict a quiet afternoon for Matty Glennon).

****

Forgot to say about last Saturday, I did go into our Burslem shop in my Town shirt, to the amusement of my friends behind the counter, and to the disgust of the customers ("...we always had you down as half decent Julie, unbelievable..." "...Up The Vale...") - well , I'm glad we had the last laugh again!!!

PJ reckons that the goal Michael Collins scored last Saturday could be the turning point of our season:

Jacko - That Goal Could Change Our Season

Today is my 34th birthday, although the celebrations started last night. I was taken out, then nearly carried out by some mates from work. My best friend Lynn was determined to make me sozzled - every time she went the bar I could have sworn I asked for a small white wine - only for a large glass to keep appearing!!!!! And she wouldn't let me pay for the meal or any of my drinks neither - I'll get her back when its her birthday in exactly one months time.

Think Sam is taking me out for dinner this afternoon, and I'm out with my sister in Tuesday night, so I've got quite a full diary for once.

Port Vale 1-2 Huddersfield Town

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. Same result as last weekend, but a far, far improved performance. No sign of Nathan Clarke, not even on the bench (good move Jacko) meant a start for John McCombe, and Aaron Hardy played instead of Tom Clarke, otherwise it was the same line up. We played the 4-1-4-1 formation again, and it seemed to be working. Both sides enjoyed plenty of possession and a few chances during the first half - although Town were far from helped by some abysmal refereeing - we got nothing!!!

First goal to Port Vale though, when Leon Constantine headed in almost standing on the goal line, after a good cross. I didn't think we deserved to be behind, I thought we at least should have been on terms at half time. Second half we came out almost a different outfit (Jacko must have give them both barrells during the break), and we looked threatening every time we came forward - Michael Collins was outstandng, and Luke Beckett was winning some good headers in the air. Even though the people near where I was sitting kept muttering 4-4-2, I thought even if we kept the same formation we would get something. But it wasn't until we changed the system that success arrived.

Pav Abbott and Chrissie Brandon came on, and we went to 2 upfront. When Luke Beckett was subbed for Andy Booth it worked wonders almost immediately. Town got a corner, which was swung in perfectly for Boothy (legend) to meet it with a trademark header to equalise - fantastic goal, we were all in raptures - and we barely had time to sit down again, when Town went in front. Man of the Match Michael Collins got the ball in the box, and drilled a low shot on the turn to beat a bemused Vale keeper!! Wonderful, simply wonderful. I was confdent we would get the win, and we did (although the 4 minutes added on by the fourth official felt like 24 minutes).

Another excellent result (3rd league win on the trot), we are unbeaten in 6 league games (the best form in the division by a mile), and we are now up to fifth. We've leapfrogged Bradford (who lost) and Crewe (who also lost).

My birthday weekend has got off the the best possible start, its fantastic (I'm just off the pick up my winnings from a Port Vale supporting Ladbrokes manager, this'll serve him right for all the (good natured) abuse I get the rest of the time)!!!! GO ON TOWN!!!

Jacko on Port Vale v Huddersfield (Audio)

Some disappointing news to report:

Tom Clarke Out For Season

Now when I saw this I was worried, because when he was first injured on Saturday he carried on playing for at least ten minutes before he went off. I thought that maybe that had caused more damage, but it would seem not. Lest hope he will be back in the blue and white stripes next season.

Day off today - I'm having a long weekend - off today, match tomorrow, my Sunday off, and Monday is - well - its my birthday..........

Should be a good game tomorrow, Port Vale started the season all guns blazing, but results started to tail off - that said though they won at away at Tranmere so they haven't completely lost it. Mind you, with Town on a five league match unbeaten run, we have the best form in the division at the moment, and I fully expect the good run to continue. I expect tomorrow to be a close encounter (it'll be another 4-1-4-1 day), but seeing as Nathan Clarke will most likely not be dropped I'm going for Town to win 2-1, or 3-1.

Taking no chances tomorrow - for the same fixture last season I took the bus (I can catch it round the corner from where I live) to Burslem - only for it to break down 3 miles from the ground - I was panicking like mad. We all had to pile on a replacement and I got into the ground at 1/4 to 3 - I had visions of not making it. It was close!!! Sam doesn't need the car for anything so I will drive up there this time.

The bookmaking firm I work for (Oakfield Racing) has a branch in Burslem (its the nearest bookis to the ground by the way), so providing I have the time I will pop in and see my two colleagues before the game.

The verdict is in....

Jacko receives a £300 fine but, more importantly NO touchline ban - I'm relieved, it could've been worse...

Peter Jackson Fined By The FA

Jacko - I'm Happy With Fine

Huddersfield Town 1-2 Doncaster Rovers

**Groan**, nah, we never wanted to win this Mickey Mouse Trophy anyway, no, we didn't want a trip to the Millenium Stadium in March, no...... **groan**

It wa a match I didn't really get into - not my fault and I'll tell you why. I listen to radio commontaries through HTFC World, supplied via BBC Radio Leeds. Now, with Leeds, Bradford and Town all playing on the same night, and only two frequencies to split the matches, they decided to give Paul Ogden and Kieran O'Regan the night off and just send a reporter there instead!!! There was no way on this earth I wanted to listen to Scunthorpe v Bradford, with only the odd return to our ground, I was a bit cheesed off. Then inspiration struck. I scanned down to find the Doncaster commontary - ok, I knew it would be biased towards them, but at least, I thought I would get 90 minutes. And I did - of the strangest commontary I have ever heard.

The Doncaster commontator was some old boy who didn't seem to know any of Towns players, either by sight or name (as he was constantly correcting himself or mispronouncing their names), except for Boothy. And as for Doncaster, it seemed there was only three of their players on the pitch as he only appeared to mention Lewis Guy, Chris Thornton and Jason Price. I candidly thought that perhaps the regular Doncaster commontator had not turned up, so BBC Radio Sheffield (I believe they were the culprits) had gone over to the Pink Link Stand looking for a volunteer!!!

The commontary was so misjointed, a lot of "...good ball son, well played lad..." - not mentioning which player it was. I was struggling to keep up. Then, just after Doncaster scored their first ("..its in...") the commontators mobile phone went off and (I kid you not) he answered it, and had a conversation "...I can't talk right now, I'm doing a commontary..." (I swear I am not making this up) "...well, alright go on then...well you'll have to ring them back won't you..." - all this while I could hear the match continuing in the background, it was completely bizarre. When he had finished, he sort of apologised "...sorry about that...", I was listening in total disbelief.

Second half, and Town got back into the game when Pav (or Paul as our elderly friend kept calling him) challenged the Doncaster keeper, who fluffed his clearance straight to Boothy who made no mistake form 25 yards (that was courtesy of Teletext by the way, I actually had the impression that Boothy had tapped it into an empty net).

I thought at that point we would either win, or it would go to penalties, but I sort of got the idea that Doncaster were having a few decent chances near the end - something about Donny missing an open goal, and something about hitting the side netting, but then almost out of nowhere (there didn't seem to be any build up), and a Nathan Clarke mistake (thank you Teletext), Lewis Guy scored what turned out to be the winner in the 87th minute. I knew we wouldn't come back from that. A disappointing night all round, altough when I went down to the social club afetrwards to join my hubby (who had been watching the Man U game on a big screen), the regulars were very sympathetic ("...hadrd luck Ju, never mind ay...").

As I said, we didn't want to win this trophy anyway............

***

No news on Jacko v The FA - I presume it was postponed, as there's no news anywhere of what went on I'm guessing it has been held over, maybe to today.

My latest article on 606 - and quite probably my most outspoke:

JulieLovesJacko - Huddersfield Town 4-1-4-1???

I felt like letting off some steam........

Just been listening to Jacko's radio interview from yesterday and he says in it "...we invited pressure on to us...." - was he really the only person in the ground who couldn't see why????? Unreal!!!

Next, its on to Tuesday where there's a big match taking place - yes, its PJ v The FA!!! Oh, and Town are playing Doncaster in the Johnstone Paints Trophy.......

Two-Goal Luke!!!

Huddersfield Town 2-1 Carlisle United

Three more points - hooray I hear you cry - but you really had to be there to truly appreciate how dreadful we were. I never thought for one second that PJ would play the 4-1-4-1 system that's been serving us well away at home - Luke Beckett on his own up front (not his style of playing imo), running around with no-one to pass to, being beaten in midfield every time (Mark Hudson was anonymous, Michael Collins played his worst game) - the sheer negativity of the whole team (I was having Wadsworth-era flashbacks at one point), and I have to blame Jacko's tactics for this.

Town took the lead when Luke Beckett intercepted an attempted backpass, strode forward and drilled a low shot past the Carlisle keeper. We were soon 2 in front, when we were awarded a penalty for a hand ball in the Carlisle box. Luke Beckett strode up and cooly netted. Five minutes before half time, with defenders backing off, Carlisle player Simon Hackney fired a 25 yarder into the top corner to bring it back to 2-1.

At this point I believe Jacko should have changed his tactics, and for the second half we should've played 4-4-2. It would have finished Carlisle off, but no, he insisted with sticking to just the one striker up front - we created nothing. It was as if he was waiting for Carlisle to equalise before making a change. Even I was on my feet bellowing down at PJ "...get another striker on Jacko, we're going nowhere..." but if he heard me, he didn't take any noticed as he brought on Andy Booth in place of Luke Beckett (I told the bloke next to me that's what he would do before it happened). We were completely under pressure for the whole of the second half. Good job we didn't lose today, or even I would've been calling for Jackos head!!! Carlisle were unlucky not to get a point in the end, they had a free kick that came down off the bar. We held on for the three points.

Town are now 11th, unbeaten in 5 games, and I'm sure that that's the best form in the division at the moment. We have to play better, a decent side would've hammered us today - that's the first time I've heard Town booed off for winning (not me, I never boo Town).

Jackos Post Match Interview (written)

Jacko on Huddersfield v Carlisle (audio)

Match day, and as ever I'm looking forward to be in attendance. I've got a good feeling about this one (when haven't I) and I'm confident Town will win today. We'll miss GTF obviously, and I would like to think that Jacko will play Chris Brandon as a replacement. I can't see us playing 4-1-4-1 today neither, probably 4-4-2 instead, hopefully with Pav and Luke Beckett up front.

Here's hoping for a good performance and 3 more points!!!

Jacko finally gets a date for his FA hearing (ref that Bristol City incident), but unfortunately its next Tuesday, the same day as we play Doncaster in the Johnstones Paint Trophy, so it means a bit of a rush back from London afterwards!!!

PJ's Disciplinary Hearing Set For Tuesday


As I had a damn good view of what happened, don't you think I'd make a really good (if somewhat biased) eye-witness........

These 'Jacko to Millwall' roumers just wouldn't go away, but maybe fiinally they will:

Millwall - No Approach Will Be Made


However, I'm glad someone at our club has broken their silence........

Ken Davy - No approach from Millwall


Ken Davy - Jacko is Staying At Town


Glad to hear it Mr Chairman. Now can we all move on. Please.

Just the sort of news we can do without:

Gary Taylor-Fletcher injury blow

He's joint top scorer in the league and has been playing brilliant, this is a big shock. Lets hope he is back sooner rather than later.

Peter Jackson hopes we can carry on Saturday's good work:

Jacko - Onwards and Upwards


And I am optimistic we can. Our next 2 league games - we'll be favourites to beat Carlisle, and then we face an out of form Port Vale - we could just be starting to go the right way at last - COME ON TOWN!!

The morning after......

I have a thumping headache this morning (serves me right). My hubby tells me (because I can't remember) that I was a bit noisy last night. Mind you, he blames the regulars down the club as much as me, they always ask me how Town have got on (if they don't already know) and the more I drank the more excited I got telling them (I wasn't quite dancing on the tables singing "...who needs Mourhino...", but oh it was close)! And now this morning I am paying for it in spectacular fashion (although I don't think I was quite as bad as when we got promoted - I was literally carried out of the club on that occasion).

Here is Jackos post match thoughts (written) including expletive.....

Jacko on Bradford v Huddersfield (written)

I knew I wasn't hearing things.........

Peter Jacksons after match comments:

Jacko on Bradford v Huddersfield (audio)


I have to tell you that the spineless numpties at the BBC have excelled themselves. The above audio interview has most certainly been edited, because in the original broadcast Jacko was heard to utter the word "...bollocks..." mid way through!!! And they apologised for it afterwards "...an anglo-saxon expression..." it was referred to. Not much of an expletive, and certainly not one that bothered me. Emotions were running high for goodness sake, these things happen!

Bradford City 0-1 Huddersfield Town

A win, away from home, against our local rivals, a clean sheet - even though we ended up with 10 men (Danny Adams sent off for two yellow cards in the second half) - it doesn't get better than this does it. I feel wonderful right now, like I am dreaming (same as last season when we won the same fixture).

Every Bradford fan I have heard from this week talked like defeat was out of the question.

MESSAGE TO BRADFORD FANS - TOLD YOU SO!!!!!

A brilliant performance performance from Town, Jon Worthington played a blinder in front of the back four, Tosh was magnificent at the back. The early part of the game was a bit scrappy, a lot of stop-start, but Town started to get into their stride. I'm not much of a Mark Hudson fan, but I am quietly glad that PJ kept the faith, when he scored the winning goal in the 27th minute!! A near post header, after an excellent ball by Gary Taylor-Fletcher.

Bradford had the odd moment, but our defence and Matty Glennon were outstanding today. And Town definately deserved to win. And I defy any Bradford fan to say different.

On the minus side GTF went off injured in the second half and Andy Holdsworth struggled on injured as well. Danny Adams will pick up a ban for his red card.

All in all a fantastic all round perfomance, and three richly deserved points - just the kick start our season really needed - it was only a matter of time when we got going. Next Saturday we entertain Carlisle at home (I will be there as well), and lets see if we can continue the good work we have started today - YEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS!!! COME ON TOWN!!!!!!!!!!

****The Only Way Is Up ........ And That's The Way It Is****

(erm yes, I am a bit happy and tonight I will go out and celebrate) xx

Half Time: Bradford 0-1 Town

So far so good. Town are playing 4-1-4-1, with Jon Worthington sitting in front of the back 4, which appears to be a masterstroke by Jacko. Matty Young is having an excellent game. Mark Hudson scored with a near-post header in the 25th minute. Still 45 minutes to go though......

Well, the big day has arrived, what will happen? I'm dreaming of a Town win obviously!! And I'm confident we will get it. Theres not been a lot wrong with our away form of late - lets hope it continues.

Let battle commence........ COME ON TOWN!!!!!!!!

Worthy - A Start Tomorrow???

One day to go and counting..... You know something, every Bradford fan bar none that I have heard from this week are talking like defeat is out of the question - dangerous talk!!!! Don't they ever learn... We beat them on there own patch last season (live on Sky as well, what a brilliant night that was), and I feel we have every chance we will do so again. I think that team selection / formation will be crucial tomorrow (are you listening Jacko).

I'd be brave and go 3-5-2 - saturate the midfield and I think we will cause Bradford a problem or two. This would be my starting eleven for tomorrow:

Glennon in goal, Holdsworth, Tosh and Adams at the back, Schofield (or T Clarke if Scoffer is still injured), Worthington, Collins, Brandon and GTF in midfield, Pav and Beckett up front.

I think that would work you know, but there again I'm not PJ - I'm sure he will have his own ideas as always. I wouldn't rule out the 4-1-4-1 from the Swansea match in all honesty.

Can't wait for the game, I will be tuning on the radio (via the internet), wishing I was there - well, I will be in spirit, 100% behind Jacko and the lads as ever. Town to win 2-1.

Some disappointing news....

David Mirfin agony

Mirf is one of my favourite players, and I know he would've played on Saturday if he had been fit, but as soon as Nathan Clarke is back he would probably have been dropped anyway - unfairly in my opinion. He played well when Tosh was away on loan, which is more than can be said for N Clarke. If NC is going through a bad patch, as Jacko says, than thats one heck of a bad patch - how many games?? And also, if Jacko still has full confidence in NC, as he says he has, then thats worrying, when a lot of the goals we have conceded have been down to his poor defending. I'd play John McCombe from the start on Saturday, but I bet it won't happen.

Four days to go until the 'big' one. A local derby against our hated rivals Bradford City. A quick look at League One will tell you that they are having a slightly better season than us (and thats putting it mildly), but I know that Jacko will have the boys well and truly fired up for this fixture - watch out Bantams, the Terriers are coming after you..........

Can you believe that my boss has rosta'd me off for Saturday yet again, but sadly I won't be in attendance (as tempting as it was to go), as I will be seeing the lads a couple of times more over the next few weeks anyway. I pay for HTFC World commontary, so I may as well use it!!!

As for the team selection, its a bit early to say. I heard on Jacko's post match interview that he played Nathan Clarke against Bournemouth "...even though he was still injured himself..." - I ask you! If that doesn't go to prove what a favourite of our esteemed manager he is, then I don't know. It speaks volumes (and undoubtably cost us three points last Saturday, in my opinion). Maybe, as PJ also described the Bournemouth second goal as "...horrendous...", he will do the decent thing and drop Nathan Clarke - play Tom Clarke or John McCombe in his place - its a definate option.

Presumably Boothy will no longer be "...ill...", and will figure, but I would like to see Chris Brandon and Jon Worthington get starts (in place of Mark Hudson and Matty Young (although young Matty has done little wrong)), but we shall see - maybe a replay of the 4-1-4-1 formation that worked so well at Swansea.

Peter Jackson states the obvious:

Jacko - "...we are conceding too many goals..."

You don't say........

*****

In the People this morning there was the smallest of paragraphs in the football section stating that Millwall (currently managerless) are preparing to ask Town's board for permission to speak to Jacko - give me strength - what the hell gives them the idea that PJ would leave his secure job here (and it is, like it or not) to work for a bunch of directors who change their manager as often as they change their underpants. Its laughable.

****

Had a nervous moment listening to "The Sunday Night Sack Race" on Talk Sport this evening. "...now a manager who took his team to the League One play-offs last season, but its not going as well this time around...". Luckilly it was Kenny Jackett at Swansea they were on about, but you can understand why my heart was in my mouth for a minute!!!

Huddersfield Town 2-2 AFC Bournemouth

Now, if I had suspected for one moment that Nathan Clarke was going to play in this game I wouldn't have said we were going to win to nil!!! Its no conincedence to me that the two recent improved performances before today didn't involve him!!! I think I heard somewhere that Mirf had taken a knock, but why does that mean Clarke has to be fastracked back into the side, particularly after some shocking performances. (He's Jackos blue eyed boy is the quick answer top that one).


We played a straightforward 4-4-2 formation with Luke Beckett and Pawel Abbott up front (which is what we the fans have been asking for for weeks), but as usual its the defence that lets us down. Seeing as PJ was a quality centre-half in his day, you would think that our defence would be brilliant - but it isn't!!

As for the match, why is it, I ask, that Town are unable to score first - we've only managed that twice this season - and it only took ten minutes for it not to happen again, when some horrendous defending from Andy Holdsworth allowed James Hayter (who we nearly signed in January) to poke the ball in from a yard. Here we go again.......

Towns reply was a glorious solo effort by man of the moment Gary Taylor-Fletcher. A nice bit of inter-play between GTF and Pav led to Fletch taking the ball around 4 Bournemouth players - then it was all about the finish - and he didn't disappoint - a fantastic strike and at half time it was 1-1.

Second half started pretty much as the first half - calamatous defending (N Clarke to blame) and Leon Best put Bournemouth back in front. We are hopeless at times, shocking. We very nearly went 3-1 behind, only for a brilliant point-blank save from Matty Glennon (how he has saved us time and again this season).

Jacko then made a double substitution, when Chris Brandon (hooray) and Jon Worthington both returned from injury - but you should've heard the booing because he brought Pav off ("...for **** sake Jackson, we're behind...."), but, as has happened before this season as soon as we make a change we score, and Chris Brandon with virtually his first touch played it to Luke Beckett who took it round the keeper and 2 Bournemouth defenders for the equaliser.

There was still 20 minutes to go and I was hoping we would find a winner, but as on Tuesday it didn't come. Ok, so its a point but in all truthfulness its not good enough. We need to be winning at home or we are going to struggle big time. Next Saturday we are away at Bradford - If Nathan Clarke is playing then Dean Windass and company will make mincemeat of him. I only hope Jacko does the decent thing and drop the lad, for his own sake as much as anything.

Just one more thing, in the matchday programme Ken Davy has two full pages trying to explain how the clubs finances work and so on, but I won't bore you with that, its just that in the final paragraph I noticed the words "...Huddersfield Town are not a club in crisis...". Now to my knowledge I am the only person to use those words (and I didn't really mean them either) in my 606 thread of the same title.... coincedental choice of words, or does Mr Davy (or more likely Alasdair Straughn) use 606 - I'd like to think they do!!!!!!!!

Jacko on Huddersfield v Bournemouth (Audio)