The LATW Q&As
A Q&A with a Huddersfield fan: Leeds Against The World
Thanks to our last few games, Leeds sits five points clear of Huddersfield before Saturday's game. Can they make it eight? Read what a Terrier fan thinks.
By Johnny Wakefield Mar 16, 2016, 4:17pm GMT
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Man, three wins in a row sure has the Leeds United fanbase buzzing. The talk of a playoff push made our Matt Robinson write an analysis of our final ten games, the next of which is Saturday at Elland Road against the Terriers of Huddersfield Town.
After several weeks went by without bloggers answering the Leeds Against The World call (looking at you Blackburn and Cardiff), we finally found a willing participant in Sean Makin of the blog Terrier Bytes. These Q&A's need bloggers willing to cross enemy lines, so we're really thankful to him for helping us with the opposing perspective on Saturday's game. Read his answers, check out his blog, and get ready for Saturday.
Leeds Against The World: Huddersfield Town
Hey, Sean. Thanks for sending us your answers. The Terriers are struggling a bit, with three losses in their last four, and only six points clear of relegation. What's going on at John Smith's?
The form isn't the best at the moment but the team is in a transitional period to David Wagner's methods - which contrasts massively from that of former manager Chris Powell - and he hasn't got the full squad to play his style of football at the moment. I imagine that will change in the summer when he's allowed to bring in who he wants and there is talk that Town have already agreed a pre-contract agreement with a player I assume is from abroad. Van La Parra has come in on loan from Wolves with a view to a permanent move so I suspect he will be another one joining this summer. The chairman Dean Hoyle has promised money to spend after the sales of Conor Coady, Jacob Butterfield and Alex Smithies at the start of the season but we couldn't find the right player at the right price in the January transfer window and I don't blame the board for not paying over the top prices for players who are no better than we already have.
Under Powell the football was just dull to watch; it was simple as that. His cautious game plan worked in some situations and we picked up points but it was frustrating to see him content with a point in home games against teams who were in and around us. The fans voted with their feet and the attendances dropped, which I believe was partially a factor in his dismissal amongst other things, but it was still surprising that the board decided to part company.
Wagner has come in and now we're going for it every match regardless of who we are playing, and it is refreshing to see. Granted that method will see us lose a few games but I bet we'll win more often than not, some teams just seem unable to cope with it, like Forest in our 2-0 win there last month.
Do you like David Wagner? His style's a bit... aggressive?
I haven't met Wagner personally so I couldn't really comment on that but I do know a couple of people that have met him and they say he is a friendly chap. His style of play has got fans talking and bringing people back to watch us. If he brings in who he wants over the summer then who knows what can happen. Watch this space.
Do you have a favorite Huddersfield-Leeds memory?
My favourite Huddersfield-Leeds memory is the 2-1 win back in November 2008. If I remember rightly Gerry Murphy was in temporary charge, a Town man through and through, and it was great to knick the win at the death. Both players that scored (Joe Skarz and Michael Collins) were local lads who came through the academy so that made it even sweeter.
What's one matchup we should watch for on Saturday?
If both players are playing for their respective teams, then Harry Bunn v Gaetano Berardi. Past couple of times Bunn has come up against Berardi he's turned him inside and out and last season Berardi was sent off after two yellows at the Elland Road fixture after coming up against him. That one will be interesting to watch.
Give us a reason you'll win:
Well we owe Leeds considering we've not won the last 4/5 games against them so we are due a win. Our high pressing game will hopefully pay off and we've got Nahki Wells in decent form. If we can strike when we're on top and take the lead I'd fancy Town to win it.
Give us a reason you'll lose:
The contrast from that note above is that we haven't been clinical enough in recent games when we are on top. Against Derby we bossed the first 20 minutes but just couldn't get the goal then we got hit with a sucker punch. The defence is susceptible to pace and our methods of pushing forward leaves gaps at the back plus we are awful at defending corners and crosses into the box.
What's your predicted result?
I'm sticking my neck out. 2-1 to Town.
Big thanks to Sean for helping with our fifth Leeds Against The World Q&A. You can read more of his work over at Terrier Bytes. Good luck to his Terriers... after Saturday that is; the Championship wouldn't be the same if they get relegated. #MOT