Former Huddersfield Town captain Peter Clarke believes fans have reason to be optimistic.
The Bury centre-back returned to the John Smith’s Stadium to take in Town’s Sky-televised 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest.
The 33-year-old watched the game from the directors’ box and stayed on afterwards to catch up with old friends.
“While the game wasn’t the greatest spectacle, Huddersfield probably had the majority of it and the least they deserved was the draw,” he said.
“They’ve had a couple of good results – a 2-1 win at Charlton Athletic and a 4-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers – and another point keeps that unbeaten run going.
“What the Forest game probably showed was it’s about taking your chances at the right time.”
Clarke, who spent last season at Blackpool, added: “Town’s start to the season has been solid enough and the club finds itself mid-table and there’s no reason why they can’t push on from here.
“Certainly a top-half finish looks achievable, which would be good for all concerned.”
Clarke, who spent five years at Town, helping them to promotion to the Championship in 2012, urged patience after an influx of new recruits including Emyr Huws, Mustapha Carayol, Jed Steer, Elliott Ward and Jamie Paterson.
With the loan signings, there’s going to be a bedding-in period and time will be needed for the group to gel,” he said.
“But from what I see it won’t be long before that happens.”
So who impressed Clarke most in the Town side?
“It would have to be Dean Whitehead,” he said.
“He did his job well with the minimum of fuss. He was quietly efficient in his play and just got on with his work.
“Then, of course, there’s Emyr Huws. He’s got a nice left foot and can pick a pass. As we have seen over the last few weeks he can score goals as well.”
Midfielder Huws, on a season-long loan from Wigan Athletic, has four goals in three games and his deflected effort late on secured the point against Forest.
Clarke believes the Wales international and former Manchester City player could really blossom with Town.
“His career so far has been disrupted by injury and, apart from a loan spell at Birmingham City, he’s never had a prolonged run of games for anyone,” he explained.
“If he can get that at Town we can see how far he can go. Only time will tell, but he’s got talent.”
Clarke left Town for Blackpool and he spent a bewildering 2014-15 campaign in the Championship as the Seasiders imploded and were relegated.
Their season ended with the abandoned last-day match against Town at Bloomfield Road.
A protest against club chairman Karl Oyston resulted in a pitch invasion and the match being abandoned after 47 minutes.
Clarke admitted: “It was an experience and challenging but, like they say, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. There was always something that was happening and it distracted from the football.
Clarke has moved on and has taken the elder statesman role at Bury.
“I have enjoyed my start to the season,” he said. “I give the younger lads a bit of love and a kick up the backside when needed. It’s going along nicely.”
