Ken Davy finally acknowledges that ther was a protest on Saturday!!!

Ken Davy - Protestors nothing but mischief makers

An interesting take on it, seeing as he was seen leaving the ground prior to the demonstration. I actually agree with him, I think there was definately some people there who were not true Town fans and just wanted to cause trouble. There is no doubt that there were some genuine supporters there who wanted to make their feelings known, but I don't think this was the right way to go about it. Oh yes, shame on the idiots who set upon the supporters who sang pro-Jacko songs.

A new post I have started on 606:

Huddersfield Town - A Club in Crisis Part 2

It's a follow up to the thread I wrote back in Septrember, when we were in the sort of trouble we are now. I still don't think we are in crisis, but it's getting close!!!!

I mentioned on here a while back about TalkSports "...Sunday Night Sack Race...". It grieves me to report that Jacko made the list last night, coming in second. It was reported thus:

"...he has been described as the best looking man in football, he's even better dressed than Jose Mourinho, but after a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Oldham things are not going well for Huddersfield Town, and their supporters have nominated manager Peter Jackson into second place..."

***groan*** (although at this moment in time it might only be me who is unhappy).

With no game now until a week on Tuesday, there is, as my husband put it "...time enough for the axe to swing...". Charming. We wait and see.

Huddersfield Town 0-3 Oldham Athletic

A shambles from start to finish. The daft thing is though, that when I saw the team selection at 1/2 past 2 I was delighted - it was everything the fans had been asking for - 4-4-2, a recall for Chris Brandon and David Mirfin (had a random thought that Jacko had even stumbled across my humble weblog at some point, but I digress....) - even confidently chirped to my work colleague "...brilliant, we'll win today...". Should've known better.

Had the BBC's minute-by-minute service again, and glancing through that I could only see two long range Chris Brandon efforts in the first half - and nothing else - we have created absolutely nothing. Apparantly there were no ideas, the players didn't have any direction, too many long balls hoofed up field..... I was glad to be in work!!! Maybe it is true what they say - Jacko has taken the team as far has he can, because if you look at it, aside from Matt Glennon, Luke Beckett and Joe Scarz, it is the same players we had this time last year when we topped the league. Where is the improvement???

Obviously our players are not good enough, (taking nothing away from Oldham by the way, John Sheridan is doing a fine job), but with no money to strengthen then we are doomed.

There was another demonstraion outside the ground (a lot of idiots there so I'm told), a lot of shouting for Jackos head (predictably) and for Davy to resign (naturally). It is bordering on crisis time.

I'm going to get a bit "...Stand By Your Man..." for a moment, because all this "...Jacko Out..." bollocks will get us nowhere. LEAVE HIM ALONE!!!!! How many more times do I have to say that he has NO HELP WHATSOEVER from the board (no matter what crap Davy would have us believe). It would only take a few new players to freshen up the side, give us a few more options. Now nothing can happen until January, when we could well and truly be in relegation bother if this slump continues. For what it is worth I think PJ will dig his heels in and stay, knowing full well that Davy can't afford to sack him, although I have a worrying suspiscion that a "...mutual consent..." exit might be arranged - I hope not. I am worried though.

Jacko on Huddersfield v Oldham (audio)

Just a quick reminder to what I said on September 3rd.

Jacko on Crewe v Huddersfield

Its a bit depressing when he says that there's no money to buy players or even bring any in on loan. I suppose he's only repeating what Mr Davy and the board have told him.

Tomorrow see Town taking on Oldham. And it is matches like these we could do with winning (at home against a team higher that us). I don't know yet whether Jacko has any plans to change the formation (I hope he does obviously), but hopefully David Mirfin will get a start tomorrow now he is back from injury.

Mirf - I'm Ready

And maybe, just maybe Chris Brandon will figure too. I know that Worthy and Andy Holdwsorth are back from suspension, so Jacko will have almost a full squad to pick from (no Pav or T Clarke obviously). I wish I was going, but never mind.

***

Ken Davy has given a 1-to-1 interview to HTFC's Yahoo group. He is bascially being asked to answer again all the questions he answered in the Bournemouth programme, so a lot of it is old ground, and he seemed reluctant to expand on what he had already said. one thing did bother me though. Mr Davy said that there WAS money for loans, it was just that Jacko HADN'T ASKED FOR ANY!!!!!!! Now, I know that back in September, after the Crewe defeat, in a radio interview with Paul Ogden Jacko said there was NO money for loans OR signings. So whose telling the truth. Any ideas.

Thursday is "Loan Deadline Day". No more loan deals can be conducted after then, until the transfer window opens in January. Predictably, it'll be all quiet at the Galpharm.

Jacko: No Loan Deals For Town


I don't know what the more worrying thing is about this - that we have no money for loan signings, or that there have been no enquiries for any of our players!!! We could do with some fresh blood, and quick (and I mean soon and with pace). Looks like it will be January then. I hope we are not in relegation bother by then **groan**

Proof if any were needed that Jacko is losing the plot (yes, even this long-suffering admirer is having her doubts about his sanity)!!

Jacko: We can hit back against Oldham

Well, I would hope so, but it's not that I take issue with here. Whats with this "...players never say die attitude...", and this gem "...aside from the goals Matty Glennon never had a save to make...", and another "...there were positives from this game...". What positives - WE LOST!!!!!

No wonder everyone is calling for his head, I am nearing the end of my very long and worn out tether right now. SORT IT NOW, OR LET SOMEONE ELSE SORT IT.

(blimey, did I really say that)

Blackpool 3-1 Huddersfield Town

Oh, we don't like to be beside the seaside................

Another shambles of a performance, defensive errors are us (I saw the goals on the telly this morning)!! And as for Jacko saying on Monday that he was going to give "...careful consideration to the team and formation...", well that was rubbish - we played 4-1-4-1 yet again, and he replaced the banned players with ones of similar ilk.

Ok, I was following the game at work on the BBC sport website, with their "...minute by minute..." service, and it seemed to me we were having the better of it, more possesion - 9 corners (!!), good chances. But after we let in 2 goals in 5 minutes in the first half, there was only one way this game was going to go. When Gary Taylor-Fletcher scored right on half time I saw the merest chink of light, but what do you know, Town go 3-1 behind midway through the second half.

Why didn't Jacko change to 4-4-2 at half time, instead of waiting until the game was beyond us - it's a joke. I'm his biggest fan, but even my patience is wearing thin. With this formation we are NOT going to win games, Boothy can't do it all on his own. We need two upfront from now on. The 4-1-4-1 has GOT TO STOP!

Someone on the Examiner message board said this week that a small bench would be enough to seat the Jacko supporters, while the ones who want him fired would occupy the stands. I don't want to see him go obviously, but this stubborness to change what is a bad formation is making Town a laughing stock. I do not think, however, that a new manager would do any better - when you are financially hand cuffed by the board there is only so much you can do. But if you spend all your transfer budget on one player, only to have him on the bench every week, maybe Mr Davy is keeping his hands in his pockets on purpose!!!!!

I am depressed!!!

Jacko on Blackpool v Huddersfield (written)

Had things been different then Sam and me would have been setting off to Blackpool for a long weekend today, that had been the plan when the fixtures came out (Sam goes to the pub, Julie goes to the football, the usual arrangement). But seeing as the 2 Cliff Richard concert tickets that my sister has been lovingly looking after for twelve months are dated the 19th of November (and not the 26th November as I had erronously thought) we had to abandon the idea (too much rushing around on Sunday, I couldn't have done it). I wouldn't have minded, but we haven't been away this year so the break would have been nice. But the concert should be fun. Say what you like about Sir Cliff, he's still there after nearly 50 years in music, so you can't knock him!!

Hoping for a better performance from Town tomorrow, but I'm not hopeful - come on lads, surprise us!!! I hear that Chris Brandon is back from injury, so should be available for selection. Likewise David Mirfin (who played for the reserves the other day) and Martin McIntosh, who was missing last weekend.

Sky announce that Towns away match at Yeovil in January is being televised - so for that reason it's been brought forward 24 hours to Friday 5th January 2007. Which is a bit of a pain for anyone who was planning on travelling as it is so far away.

Yeovil v Huddersfield to be shown Live on Sky Sports

Mind you, the extra revenue from Sky will come in handy. I'm sure that our esteemed chairman is lining up a couple of new players as we speak. )Expect the Giants to announce new signings soon..........)!

Well, the deed has been done - and I can assure you that the pain was well, well worth it - it looks fantastic, just what I wanted - now when I can get my sisters digital camera, I'll put it on display.

Day off today, but I've got something a bit special (or foolhardy maybe) happening this afternoon. Getting myself a tattoo!!! Been planning on having one for ages (was supposed to be having one done a couple of years ago but went a bit cold on the idea), and after long discussions with a very good friend of mine, and permission from my long-suffering husband - well, today is the day. As you can probably guess it is Town-related. I'm assured it won't hurt too much (my friend has had a few done).

I'm slighty nervous, but in all honesty I am looking forward to getting it done - I'll let you know how it goes!!

Ken Davy finally admits what we had secretly expected all along - check out this sign he's just had put up outside his offices.


Ken Davy - The Truth Comes Out

PJ to asses squad and formation for Blackpool match


Jacko promises to look at his formation for next Saturday - seeing as we are going to have Jon Worthington and Andy Holdsworth suspended, and Danny Adams not back yet, it could be a tricky one. I have every confidence that Jacko will get it right. He still gets my support (although I have the occasional moment when I wonder what he does to deserve it - particularly after some of the performances we have put in this season), though the cries from other Town supporters of "..get him out.." grow ever louder.

I don't wish to rant, but I think it's pretty clear where I stand on this issue. How can we possibly contemplate sacking someone who has delivered improvement year-on-year with NO support, particularly in the financial sense, from the board. It is a nonesense. We are still 9th and it is only November. If we ditch the 4-1-4-1 at home, and put some good performances together (I know we can do it), we can still figure at the end of the season - wait and see.

It wasn't just 6,500 sodden supporters at the Galpharm on Saturday - the Racing Post sent their football reporter along as well - there is half a pageful about the game (page 93 of todays edition). Here is (a slightly abridged version admittedly) what it says.........

Match in Focus - Huddersfield 0 Blackpool 1

Hoolahan the hero as Seasiders make the best of poor conditions

Weather

Very wet, windy and cold.

Was The result a fair reflection

Yes, Blackpool deserved to progress to the next round, as they coped with the conditions better and showed the greater invention of the two teams. The inclement weather made conditions exceptional, although both teams were guilty of hoofing the ball into the air rather than keeping it on the deck.

Blackpools winner came from the spot when the infuential Wes Hoolahan waited for Matty Glennon to commit himself before desptaching the ball to the opposite corner.

How did Huddersfield play

Surprisingly, boss Peter Jackson went 4-1-4-1 rather than playing Gary Taylor-Fletcher therough the middle with Andy Booth. Jackson's plan was probably to give the team greater width, but while Taylor-Fletcher was a threat down the right, little was coming from Danny Schofield down the left.

Booth is a Terriers legend, but he was largely ineffective here. Huddersfields best player is Jon Worthington who gave an accomplished display in the midfield role.

(...I won't bore you with how Blackpool played...)

Champagne Moment

Blackpool keeper Rhys Evans cleared but was slow to get back into position and Nathan Clarke lobbed goalwards from the halfway line. The ball bounced on the penalty spot and skidded up and over the despairing Evans and onto the bar.

Woeful

Former Lincoln striker Taylor-Fletcher showed none of the clinical instinct he has displayed this season, and rather than heading in the rebound first time, with Evans now tangled up in the net, he opted to try and control the ball. his touch was a bit clumsy and allowed a defender to come back and clear.

Pointers

Huddersfield look a team low on confidence at present and Blackpool will be confident of victory in the league at Bloomfield Road next Saturday.

*****

Very depressing reading it makes. I think the most telling point of the article is the bit where the reporter says about Boothy being "...ineffective...", and that we may have been better served with Fletch down the middle. And as for the formation "...giving them more width...", it's the first time I have heard that given as a reason for playing 4-1-4-1, because I don't see as it does!!!

We have to improve, end of - maybe thats an understatement - but our season is in freefall once again - lets hope for better things next Saturday (I don't see many Terriers making the trip do you).

Huddersfield Town 0-1 Blackpool

My husband summed it up perfectly. "...so you mean to say, that in three cup competitions this season you've been at home every time and lost the lot. You would've thought that they would have managed at least one win, or even a draw - grief...". An unwanted cup hat-trick was completed on a soggy day in front of an extremely low crowd (considering that Blackpool brought over a thousand with them) of 6,500.

With Jacko sticking with the 4-1-4-1 formation I never expected it to be a high scoring affair (I told my work mate that it had 0-0 written all over it), and it would seem chances were few and far between. Towns best moment came when the Blackpool keeper cleared his lines straight to the feet of Nathan Clarke on the half-way line, who hit it towards the goal, only to see it bounce off the bar, and Fletch was unable to tuck in the rebound.

The only goal arrived in the second half, when a dubious reffing decision (a seemingly innocuous hand ball by Nathan Clarke) awarded Blackpool a penalty. Up stepped Wes Hoolihan, who cheekily stuttered in his run-up, completely fooling Matty Glennon, sending him the wrong way. (I think that those sort of stop-start penalties should be outlawed, it's cheating in my opinion, and I would say that even it was Town who took penalties that way as well).

A disappointing afternoon, I finished work at 5pm ("...just as well..." my work colleague remarked, "...you're not much use to me like this..." (chin on the floor, moping about, the usual)), and drowned my sorrows with a few beers. Mind you, at least Crewe lost as well, so I didn't have their supporters gloating at me - but as it was Bradford who beat them, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry!!!

Oh, and one more thing, I'm glad Jacko didn't have the cheek to say "...at least we can now concentrate on the league..."!!!!!!!!!!

Jacko on Huddersfield v Blackpool (audio)

Some disappointing news........


Agony For Abbott

After tomorrow Pav is going to have surgery on a hernia, and be out for a little while. I know some people tag him as a bit lazy, but I like Pav a lot, and following on a little from my moan about Chrissie B not being in the team, the treatment meted out to Pav has been equally appauling (in my opinion). Lets hope he will be back soon.

FA Cup Weekend - I always enjoy the FA Cup, its a different scenario to the league, and for me all form goes right out of the window. We were fortunate in the early rounds of the FA Cup last season with non-league sides (albeit followed by a woeful spell in the league), and then that fantastic day when we played at Stamford Bridge. it would be nice if we could achieve something approaching that again (we sure could do with the momey).

But its Blackpool first, and I think I have just seen the worst value bet of the season - the footy coupons we have here at work are quoting Town a 5-6 shot to win tomorrow - our home form is abysmal!!!!! And Blackpool are on a very good run at present (a Crewe fan was kind enough to point this out to me the other day) - well, yes I would like to think we will win tomorrow, but can anyone say we definately will with any certainty????

And as regards formation - grief, who knows - surely not 4-5-1, not at home, not in the cup, we all deserve better. 4-4-2, or, maybe 3-5-2 (a formation I've advocated in the past), ony PJ knows the answer to that one. lets just hope for a good performance, and pray that we will be in the bag for round 2.

*****

Jacko "...we need a good cup run...."

Seems I'm not the only one with transport nightmares at the moment. My husband tells me that two Crewe fans asked him last night if I had had any bother getting to Huddersfield last Saturday (I thought he was piss taking at this point, but no), and when he told them what happened they said that they have had to cancel going over to Bradford for their FA Cup fixture at the weekend because of the same problems!!! I mean, I know Crewe is "...the centre of the train universe...", but it's not here where the headaches are!!!

Sam also tells me that a railway-bloke he spoke to told him that "...all engineering work takes place at weekend, never in the week - you could get over to Yorkshire by train any other day as normal, just not on a Saturday or Sunday...". Typical.

A Forgotten Man??

I feel like a bit of a rant. If there is one Town player that is not getting a fair crack of the whip at the moment in my opinion (overlooking the fact that he is supposedly injured again) its Chris Brandon. And I'm not just saying this as a fan of his (although I am), it's the truth.

Before he got injured after the Bristol City game no-one (in my opinion) was playing better, and when he came back from that should have been in the first eleven straight away (look how GTF has got his place back). So it's no wonder to me that I have heard two separate roumers that he wants to leave - it should not be allowed to happen.

When we keep faith with Mark Hudson (who I don't rate) and Danny Schofield (too inconsistant), then keep Brando on the bench beats me. Chris Brandon is - in my opinion - the most talented and skillful midfielder we have, and if he is allowed to go to another club it would be a huge, huge mistake - but then again if he has fallen out with Jacko (as the roumers also suggest), there probably wouldn't be any way back. (Just a random thought by the way, but maybe this latest "...injury..." is a smoke screen because of this situation - heck, I hope not)!!!

I'd like to think it won't come to this, maybe when he is back from this latest setback he gets the place in the first team his talent deserves - and not just warming the bench, because he's better than that, and should be treated better as well.

Peter Jackson sings Jon Worthingtons praises..

Jacko - Worthy is Captain Marvel

****

Been trying to plan my next trip to the Galpharm - with no success! After all the trouble I had on Saturday, I thought I would make sure in plenty of time that the same thing wouldn't happen again when I was planning to travel over on the 25th (Oldham game). Wrong!!! Getting there, not a problem (bus again), but coming back I would have to either get a train back via Halifax (ffs), or change at Manchester Victoria and Wilmslow - either option wouldn't get me back into Crewe before 9 pm - so I've reluctantly ditched the idea (told Sam I would drive instead, he told me no chance, the meanie)!!

At this rate the next time I will get to see Town play will be if (and I mean if) we beat Blackpool in the FA Cup on Saturday and we are rewarded with a home tie (2nd December - trains back to normal), and I will definately be at the Northampton game on the 16th (again trains no probs).

Its a bit of a pain all this, but hopefully normal service will be resumed, albeit in December **groan**!!!

Huddersfield Town 1-1 Scunthorpe United

A precious point against a very good Scunthorpe side. The Town team had been completely butchered since last Saturday, with returns for Nathan Clarke, Andy Holdsworth, Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Andy Booth - plus a debut for one of our Acadamy lads, 17 year old Joe Skarz. The formation was 4-5-1 (which I hate at home, we should always start with 2 up front imo), Boothy on his own up front. Michael Collins received a elbow to the head early on which required stitches - seemed quite nasty as well.

Sounded to me like Scunthorpe had the best of the game in the main, but seeing as they are third and I had heard that they were a good side I'm not surprised, but Town were much improved.

Scunthorpe took the lead in the second half through a Matthew Sparrow effort, and, according to Paul Ogden, Scunthorpe seemed to be comfortable at that - I was worried we wouldn't get back into it, but I'm glad to say that Town weren't to be denied when in the 86th minute the Legend that is Andy Booth scored with a trademark downward header. (We had already returned to 4-4-2 by this point)

Was disappointed not to be there this afternoon, but since I got home I discovered I would have had to have got a bus back to Manchester, resulting in a later train and not getting back into Crewe until nearly 8 o'clock (Sam wouldn't have been impressed by that, he likes to be down the club by 1/2 past 7).

FA Cup action next, when we entertain Blackpool next weekend - perhaps we will finally get past the first round of a cup competition this season. Here's hoping!!

Jacko on Huddersfield v Scunthorpe (audio)

Half Time - Huddersfield 0-0 Scunthorpe

Ok, I know its a funny time to be posting - and no I haven't sneaked a wireless laptop into the ground either - I didn't get to the game after all - not my fault - I got to Manchester Piccadilly as per usual, only to find ALL trains to West Yorkshire not running, replaced by busses (partly my fault for not checking beforehand, but when I catch the same train year in and year out, I don't always bother) - and I'd just missed one to Huddersfield (busses leaving at 5-to-the-hour, my train gets in a 1 O'clock), with the next one not for another hour - getting me into Huddersfield at 10 past 3!!!!!!!!! I was livid - moaned at the customer service man "...why are the busses running at 5-to, not on the hour for goodness sake..." (bloke just shrugged). I was absolutely gutted and no mistake - ended up getting the next train back to Crewe with my heart in my shoes. Made it back to the house at just after 1/2 past 2 so I'm spending the match in the company of Paul Ogden and Keiren O'Regan instead.

Bradford (Park Avenue) 0-2 Huddersfield Town

A very strong Town side was more than good enough to see off their non-league opponants, on what I can guess must have been an extremely cold night!!! Goals for Pawel Abbott and Gary Taylor-Fletcher, during a match reduced to 35 minutes each way, gave us the "White Rose Challenge Trophy" once more.

It will have been a good chance for Jacko to assess some of the injury-returners (Ahmed, GTF, Holdsworth) and others (N Clarke, James Hand), and hopefully all will be in contention for a start on Saturday.

Jacko - Delighted Our Trio Are Back

Tonight sees the re-arranged friendly against Bradford Park Avenue that was postponed a few months back, and with it comes good news....

Gary Taylor-Fletcher on comeback trail

I gather that Andy Holdsworth will also figure, but not David Mirfin (**groan**). should Fletch suffer no adverse effects, then I can see him getting a start on Saturday (I would hope so anyway).

***

Call me an idiot, but today I have had a further bet on Town to win League One. Just a fiver at 16-1, not a fortune. Don't tell my husband though...........