Huddersfield (a) Pre-Match Thread

[BLUEMATT23]

Everyone is fit except john and benny

CHEERS

 

[kaz7]

 

[Didsbury Dave]

I was amazed we didn't buy a centre half in the summer, and in truth we're overly reliant on 3 or 4 individuals in as much as we have no-one else in reserve capable of doing what they do to the same level and whose absence significantly weakens us. Stones is one of them, Fernandinho, KDB and Sane are the other 3.
Vinny is not the player he was, but I think we'll be ok with him until Stones gets back. The bigger concern is what happens if Vinny gets injured again as well and we have to rely on Mangala, as the latter simply isn't a good enough player in possession to cope with any kind of pressure. There were 2 or 3 times against Feyenoord when balls were pinged to him at knee height and I just about cacked my pants as he gawped down at the ball desperately trying to get it under control, blissfully unaware of opponents closing in, and ended up playing hasty passes as a result. Plus his presence completely robs us of momentum. Stones and Otamendi are probably the two best centre halves in the Premier League at carrying the ball up over halfway and playing quick accurate passes. With Mangala everything slows down whilst he gets the ball under complete control, nearly all the passes go sideways, safety first, and he doesn't carry the ball forward with any conviction. It's a potential problem for sure

Totally agree. It’s why we should have bought Johnny Evans. I don’t care if it’s sacrilege to say it: he’s miles more comfortable on the ball than Mangala.

 

[pavelsrnicek]

Have a funny feeling about Sunday being extraordinarily difficult as they are defensively sound and will relish this as a cup final on a cold Yorkshire evening.

I also have a few personal things on Sunday that I haven't to do for years, the last of which was 5 years ago the same night as we drew 0-0 at West Ham. So if finishes 0-0 it's my fault and I apologise in advance.

An early goal for us would be very nice indeed.

 

[pudge]

Totally agree. It’s why we should have bought Johnny Evans. I don’t care if it’s sacrilege to say it: he’s miles more comfortable on the ball than Mangala.

Michael J Fox is more comfortable on the ball than Mangala.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Have a funny feeling about Sunday being extraordinarily difficult as they are defensively sound and will relish this as a cup final on a cold Yorkshire evening.

I also have a few personal things on Sunday that I haven't to do for years, the last of which was 5 years ago the same night as we drew 0-0 at West Ham. So if finishes 0-0 it's my fault and I apologise in advance.

An early goal for us would be very nice indeed.

I’ve got this bad feeling that they will press Vinny into a mistake costing a goal, and we will miss 23 chances and lose our unbeaten record.

We are due some bad luck.

 

[CC1]

I’ve got this bad feeling that they will press Vinny into a mistake costing a goal, and we will miss 23 chances and lose our unbeaten record.

We are due some bad luck.

On the contrary - we are due several seasons of good luck, snatched, hopefully, from the raggy rags!! we’ve had decades of bad luck so let’s just ride the good waves...

 

[KS55]

No qualms about this one. There will be a reaction to the relatively poor display v Feyenoord. Full speed ahead, but watch out for Mooy. 3-1 City.

 

[sky tot]

I’ve got this bad feeling that they will press Vinny into a mistake costing a goal, and we will miss 23 chances and lose our unbeaten record.

We are due some bad luck.

Put some money on Huddersfield then 18-1. That would soften the blow

 

[jimmygrimblesboots]

Vinny is an ideal replacement for Stones and every bit as accomplished on the ball , he started with the club as a defensive midfielder so i have no idea why some have concerns about his distribution , he's also a leader (which Stones is not at the moment) , if and its a big "IF" VK keeps fit he will get sharper and perhaps it will be Stones sitting on the bench waiting for his opportunity when fit. We seem to forget VK was the best centre back in europe 2/3 seasons ago , injuries do not make players worse , they do not lose their ability and he has not in my opinion lost a yard of pace , the Vardy tackle was an action of a player making his comeback after 2 months out , if the referee can give him break by not sending him off , surely our own supporters can.