Huddersfield Town fans want to see much more positive football from the players – and manager Chris Powell – before the Championship season kicks off against Hull City on August 8.
The 3-1 defeat at National League side Grimsby has increased concerns among fans who had been encouraged by opening friendly wins against Guiseley and Leyton Orient (at the end of Town’s training camp in Spain).
Defeat at Blundell Park came just 48 hours after the squad returned from their work in Marbella and with Powell fielding different outfield sides in each half against Paul Hurst’s Mariners.
Powell felt that may have been a day too soon but the fixture will prove beneficial in the long run, and one fan, Shaun from Birstall, basically agrees.
He said: “No need to panic just yet as mixed line-ups make it very difficult to get a true reflection of the first team.
Player ratings for the Grimsby friendly.
“We still look lightweight up front with no Miller or Vaughan to act as the target man. Poor Wells and Hiwula trying to challenge for high balls is never going to be effective.
“The youth players from our team are not ready for Championship football as yet.
“Dempsey got a move up the leagues from a good season in League II and I think a number of our youngsters need an equally good season on loan in League II to see if they can make a claim for first-team football.”
Dan, from Elland, added: “Think the week in Spain had caught up with the team. Very lethargic and seemed uninterested.
“Plenty to work on before Hull.
“Dempsey and Whitehead look like they’ll be good signings for us!”
Richard, from Kirkburton, says a clearer gameplan is needed from Town.
“Joe Lolley was excellent and Harry Bunn and Tommy Smith were good,” he said.
“The rest were a bit of a waste of time. There are some good players on the field but I can’t get to grips on what Powell’s gameplan is supposed to be.
“What sort of formation was that? Players need to cover for one another and this formation made players look vulnerable, which proved the case.
“Early days but it is the manager that needs to step up as well as the players.”
Others were more concerned, even though Town have pre-season matches still to come at Rochdale on Saturday, at home to Deportivo the following Wednesday and at Barnsley on the weekend before the season proper starts.
Peter, from Woodsome, said: “It may only have been a friendly but the non-league side showed that our defence is as weak as ever – they could have scored six.
“Please get us a speedy, dominant central defender.”
Tony, who lives at Salendine Nook, bemoaned: “I made my way over to Cleethorpes expecting a class performance. However Grimsby looked the better side.”
