‘Looking To Frustrate Leicester’ – The Talk On The Terriers
- Leicester City face Huddersfield Town on Saturday
- The Sky Bet Championship fixture at John Smith’s Stadium has a 3pm BST kick-off
- Enzo Maresca’s Foxes beat Burton Albion midweek in the Carabao Cup
- It won’t be the type of game you expect, said Matt Glennon
This weekend sees City head on the road for their first away game of the 2023/24 Championship season as they face Huddersfield, who lost their opening game 3-1 to newly promoted Plymouth Argyle.
Ahead of the clash, Glennon shared his thoughts on the Terriers' camp, and believes that despite a slow start to the campaign, this fixture will be one the fans can get behind.
“The team did well last year, by staying in the division, which was surprising to many people,” he stated. “Coming into this season, there’s an expectation, I think. I do believe people are expecting a better and more consistent season.
“It didn’t start well at Plymouth, but they played quite well. Defensive mistakes cost them. A couple of injuries meant a few tweaks during the game, but the players won’t be happy with the way they conceded the three goals.
“It was a long way to go for a bad result, but there were 10 changes on Tuesday night against Middlesborough in the Carabao Cup. Jaheim Headley was sent off after 12 minutes, so we had our back against the wall from quite early on. It’s going to be an interesting one going into a game against a well-prepared Leicester side this weekend.”
Glennon believes Huddersfield are heading in the right direction, albeit not seeing a win so far this campaign.
“The fans will be looking forward to it,” Glennon continued. “It’s a big game and a challenge, there will be a big crowd there and the chairman is putting on entertainment around the ground to increase the buzz. There’s a band on as well which will go well with the thunderstorms scheduled in Huddersfield!
“There'll be a feel-good factor with a few players coming back into the side. It’s a big test, but that’s what you want in football, to get big crowds, and one where you think we might get something today, but it’ll be a big ask.
“The club have brought in all new backroom staff, chief executive officer, head of football, head of recruitment, and all people that have played the game as well. Neil Warnock has stayed on from last year, which is what they wanted until they find his successor.
“They still need to add some additions and bring in a bit more pace but there’s a definite feel-good factor coming into the season in terms of stability. The club has a direction to go in now.”
Warnock is in the dugout for Huddersfield after achieving safety by finishing 18th last season, but the former Hull City ‘keeper believes the Foxes might be surprised at the style of play deployed by the veteran.
He also gave an insight into who could pose a threat to Maresca’s side on Saturday, sensing that the return of forward Sorba Thomas could prove vital, who is back after spending last season on loan at Blackburn Rovers.
“I think the return of Thomas, with his distribution from corners and free-kicks, he will be a danger man," Glennon added. "Warnock will hopefully get the best out of him. You’ve also got Thomas Edwards at right-back, who has a long throw and can start an attack from the back.
“Jonathan Hogg and Brahima Diarra will look to hold the midfield, and while the latter is young and still needs time to develop, he can be a bright spark and make something happen.
“It won’t be the type of game that people expect at the weekend. It won’t be tough tackling, long balls, because all I saw last season was a man who adapted to what he’s got. It’s not a team full of household names.
“But they’re good footballers and he’ll put out a team that he thinks can frustrate Leicester, but also look to cause problems and maybe come away with something.”