AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth will be bidding to register a third successive Championship double when they visit Huddersfield Town on Tuesday (5.30pm kick-off).
The Cherries, who triumphed 5-0 against the Terriers in December, will be looking to complete the hat-trick having beaten Blackburn and Coventry in their past two games.
Huddersfield have experienced a season of fluctuating fortunes having been just six points off a play-off place at the turn of the year.
However, as injuries began to hit hard, Carlos Corberan’s team slipped out of contention after winning two and drawing seven of their past 18 league games.
The victories came against Swansea (4-1) and QPR (1-0), while the Terriers have drawn their past four home games – Birmingham (1-1), Cardiff (0-0), Brentford (1-1) and Rotherham (0-0).
Callum Wilson’s double and goals from Marc Pugh and Yann Kermorgant saw the Cherries win 4-0 when the teams last met in the Championship at the John Smith’s Stadium in August 2014.
Ahead of the clash, afcb.co.uk caught up with Matt Glennon, the former Huddersfield goalkeeper who summarises on their games for BBC Radio Leeds.
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN IN PROFILE
Head coach: Carlos Corberan (pictured below)
Club captain: Christopher Schindler
Last game: Huddersfield Town 0-0 Rotherham United (Championship)
Leading league goalscorer 2020/21: Frazier Campbell (seven)
League position: 19th
Past six league results: DWDDLD
afcb.co.uk: How would you sum up the season so far?
MG: I would split the season in two, before and after Christmas.
Before Christmas, there was a real style of play that Carlos Corberan brought to the club which was attacking going forward and exciting. It wasn’t consistent but it was good to watch.
After Christmas, they were very inconsistent, they had lots of injuries and the style of play seems to have been compromised.
afcb.co.uk: The Terriers were five games unbeaten and then lost 7-0 at Norwich last week – what went wrong?
MG: He made a couple of changes to the forward line and it was the perfect storm of Norwich being absolutely fantastic and too many Huddersfield players, senior players as well, being off their game. It was just one of those things.
Fans get upset because it’s embarrassing to concede seven. But, in the cold light of day, it was one of those anomalies that happens every now and again.
It happened to Liverpool and Southampton this season and you’ve just got to put it down to a very bad day at the office for Huddersfield and a very good day at the office for Norwich
afcb.co.uk: How come Town have used three goalkeepers this season?
MG: Again, due to people moving on and injuries. Ben Hamer started the season and did well. He wasn’t a fancied goalkeeper at all in all honesty but he did well.
He lost his place to Joel Pereira after someone in his household had been advised to self-isolate. But Joel had a bit of a stinker against Stoke. He let in four and didn’t cover himself in glory.
They’ve got an up-and-coming young lad called Ryan Schofield (pictured above) who has played for England under-20s. He’s been on loan and gained experience. He got his chance and took it.
Ben Hamer was one of the bigger earners at the club and wanted a longer contract but wasn’t going to get it at Huddersfield so moved on to Swansea.
It was unfortunate for Ben to lose his place like he did but we all know, that’s football and you have to take your chance when you get it and that’s what Ryan Schofield has done.
afcb.co.uk: What’s your take on Carlos Corberan’s first season in charge?
MG: Carlos Corberan has had a massive challenge to come in and try to change the ethos and style of play and it’s been tough for him.
It hasn’t been easy for a host of reasons – Covid restrictions, the movement of players, budgets and injuries.
With what he’s had to contend with, he’s doing alright. He’s still got a lot to prove and a lot to do going forward but, as it stands, he’s doing alright.
afcb.co.uk: Give us an update on Tommy Elphick (pictured above)?
MG: He was seen again for the first time in well over a year at Norwich where he was on the bench. It was great to see him warming up on the pitch.
He had a rocky start to his Huddersfield Town career and then started playing consistently well. But he suffered an horrendous injury at Preston (in November 2019).
It’s been tough for him and now they’ve got a lot of experience in that centre-half position so I’m not expecting to see him on the pitch between now and the end of the season which is a real shame.
afcb.co.uk: Who is Huddersfield’s one to watch?
MG: If Lewis O’Brien is in the middle and is on his game, his driving forward is really good to watch.
afcb.co.uk: Are any first-choice players either injured or suspended against the Cherries?
MG: Harry Toffolo, Josh Koroma, Carel Eiting, Alex Vallejo and Christopher Schindler are all injured.
They are now getting players back on the training ground and into the first-team squad.
One of those is Rolando Aarons. He came in on loan from Newcastle, did well but got injured and we didn’t see him for a while. He was on the bench on Saturday.
afcb.co.uk: What’s your score prediction?
MG: Huddersfield could get a positive result. I’m going to go for a score draw or maybe a nicked win.
They beat Swansea 4-1 coming off the back of a bad run. I’m going to be super-optimistic and go for a score draw or a one-goal home win.
You can follow Matt on Twitter – @MattGlenn27
Officials: Jeremy Simpson (referee), Jonathan Hunt (assistant), Wade Smith (assistant), Stephen Martin (fourth official).
