Ground: John Smith's Stadium (24,121 capacity)
Location: Huddersfield, England Ticket price: £25
Huddersfield is a short 15 minute walk south of the train station. You can see the stadium's arcs pointing out from above the rooftops as you make your way down.
You know, it’s been on my list to attend a Neil Warnock game for a good while, so when I’d heard that he was making a return and to Huddersfield of all teams, it was really welcome news. For all his quirks, his quips and his quintessential phrasing of game events, he’s a pretty damn good manager. Many managers have a spell in their career where they’re riding the crest of a wave. Pulis had it, Pardew had it. But the difference between those managers and Warnock is that he’s still managed to be successful in the modern era, despite starting his managerial career in the 1980’s. Very few managers are this willing to adapt their style to fit modern trends.
I’d originally planned to attend the Huddersfield v Blackburn game but having struggled to get a ticket, settled for the Sheffield United game instead. Watching the Blackburn game at home, Huddersfield went 2-0 up relatively early, before a goal at each end of the second half saw the game end a draw. Goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik was on top form that day, making a string of impressive saves to keep Rovers at bay. It would have been a great game to have attended, but as circumstances unfolded, it turned out that there was a lot more riding on the game against Sheffield than the Blackburn game. Sheffield United had secured promotion and were mathematically guaranteed to finish second. Huddersfield on the other hand were 3 points above the relegation zone and were playing the team directly below them, Reading, on the final day of the season, where two losses would see the Terriers relegated. For Huddersfield, survival was at stake, for Sheffield, bragging rights.
The John Smith’s Stadium is possibly the nicest stadium I’ve been to in England thus far. I bought a scarf and a match programme like I always do and wandered around the outskirts of the stadium. The Sheffield United players had just arrived and were entering the stadium to the cheer of many Blades fans. I bought a veggie wrap from the food stall which was an absolute ripoff considering half of it consisted of biting into pastry rather than actual filling. £3.50 as well I believe.
Just before kickoff, Warnock appeared on the main screen, asking that fans do not invade the pitch should the team win. “It happened at Bristol,” he said, “And I nearly got attacked.” It’ll be interesting to see if that’ll stop anyone, especially if Huddersfield win tonight.
The game kicked off and I was looking at the way Warnock had set up his team. It appeared as if he was adopting a man-marking system in the middle of the park. The problem is, when you have the beanpole ballerina Berge dancing his way through the midfield and N’Diaye prancing tandem, hand in hand, your midfield is going to get torn apart and it’s exactly what was happening here. Little intelligent feints, dummies and runs from the Senegalese international was turning the Huddersfield midfield in knots. Huddersfield appeared scared on the ball, choosing to sit back and only engaged in pressing once Sheffield United entered the final third. It wasn’t working and had it not been for a smart save by Lee Nicholls in the home goal, the Terriers would have found themselves 1-0 down. Even the throw-ins were terrible. ‘Rocket’ Ronnie Jepson was roaring for his players to throw the ball down the line, however I don’t believe I saw one throw-in that found a Huddersfield Town player all half.
I’m not sure what Warnock said at half time. “You and Hoggy, soft as shit!” possibly, but whatever he said, Huddersfield came out a new team. Dogged, determined and recognising the potential danger they were in should they concede the goal, they swarmed the midfield like packs of police hounds in an 80’s Chicago neighbourhood. I suspect some of this wasn’t helped by Heckingbottom’s subs, taking off N’Diaye and Jebbison in favour of Billy Sharp and Oli McBurnie which, considering Huddersfield had shown aerial prowess in the first half but were struggling with the athleticism of the two departing players, were breathing a sigh of relief. Likely, the manager was just trying to preserve fitness and ensure that there were no injuries so the players could enjoy a well-earned holiday after a gruelling season but yeah, neither sub made an impact on the game.
Foderingham in the United goal was being kept fairly busy. A stinging drive was superbly kept out with the right hand from the former Rangers shot stopper and there were various other instances where he was relied on to undertake his goalkeeping duties. Then came Danny Ward, running down the right channel, taking a shot when the angle was against him. It needed a great connection to A. get the ball on target B. trouble the keeper in goal. The ball swerved and swooped and a despairing Foderingam wasn’t able to get anything on the ball as the ball nestled into the far corner of the net. The stadium erupted, though one fan near me quipped afterwards that he should still be sold at the end of the season. Warnock had abandoned his man-marking system and favoured a midfield screen that Utd were struggling to break down. Various great tackles, vital blocks and some good ball-carrying from sub Hungbo contributed to the possibility of Huddersfield complete the great escape. Warnock, red with rage at the referee who was clearly biased towards the away side I felt, swooped his hands around Ronnie Jepson as the man in the middle pursed his lips to blow for full time. The man next to me stood watching, motionless, with tears in his eyes.
“Neil, I don’t know how you’ve done it mate,” a relieved stadium announcer cried as Warnock took the opportunity to thank the incredible fans for their support. “The fans were shouting ‘One more year! One more year! What do you have to say about that? Will Sharon let you stay on for one more year?” Warnock joked, “Listen, if I managed your team for another 12 months I wouldn’t be here!” Clearly, he wasn’t willing to die to get 3 points just yet.
The Huddersfield fans at the train station reckoned that Warnock set his team up in the way he did on purpose so that Sheffield United would tire. I don’t believe that was the case, given Warnock’s reactions on the touchline that half. The same fan then reckoned that they’d be favourites for promotion if he stayed. Again, I disagree as at this point, Warnock is a great short term manager and his style of football isn’t sustainable for the long term. I think Huddersfield have a better squad than one that is fighting relegation and, should they get an experienced man in charge or a promising manager with fresh ideas like Corberan was for them last season, they could easily push for the playoff spots next season. Worse teams have done so. Sheffield United on the other hand, I'd like to echo the words of their ex-gaffer on this one, "They could surprise a few teams next season, you know?"
Huddersfield Town 1-0 Sheffield United 04/05/23
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