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Championship 2015-16 season preview: Huddersfield Town

Sports Mole looks ahead to the 2015-16 Championship season from a Huddersfield Town point of view.

Having started the 2014-15 season with the departure of manager Mark Robins after just one game, the Terriers' faithful will be hoping for a less tumultuous beginning to the new campaign this time around.

A 4-0 hammering by Bournemouth brought Robins's tenure to an end and, following a caretaker stint for Mark Lillis, former Charlton Athletic boss Chris Powell took the reins. A seven-game unbeaten run early on in his tenure steered the club away from the relegation spots and near to the top half, but they failed to capitalise on this form and drifted into mid-table mediocrity.

Here, Sports Mole assesses how the Terriers might get on this season.


In

Jordi Hiwula (Manchester City), Kyle Dempsey (Carlisle United), Dean Whitehead (Middlesbrough), Martin Crainie (Barnsley), Jason Davidson (West Bromwich Albion),

Out

Conor Coady (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Anthony Gerrard (released), Jake Carroll (Hartlepool United), Jon Stead (Notts County), Oscar Gobern (released), Joe Wright (Accrington Stanley, short-term loan), Danny Carr (Cambridge United), Martin Paterson (Orlando City), Jake Charles (Guiseley, short-term loan)

Last season - 16th



Manager - Chris Powell

Manager Chris Powell of Huddersfield Town gestures during Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Huddersfield Town at Elland Road Stadium on September 20, 2014© Getty Images

Chris Powell was appointed Town boss at a time when the club was in turmoil and in danger of being dragged into a relegation dogfight. The former Charlton Athletic boss quickly steadied the ship and hauled them up to the safety of mid-table.

Powell largely did an impressive job at The Valley, taking the Addicks from League One to the Championship and finishing ninth in their first season back. The team's fortunes dipped the following year and he was dismissed with the club sitting in the relegation zone.

Still, the former left-back will be better for his experience in South London and there are hopes that he is the man to establish Huddersfield as a top-half side.


Key Player - Nakhi Wells

Wells played a key role in Huddersfield's recovery under Powell last term, scoring 11 times in 36 appearances to finish as the club's top scorer. The Bermudan signed from Bradford City in January 2014 and quickly adapted to life in the Championship, with his pace and trickery making him a tough opponent.

Huddersfield fans will look for Wells to produce even more following the departure of Conor Coady for Wolves. However, it remains to be seen if there is enough creativity in the team to provide the ammunition that Wells needs in order to thrive.

Nahki Wells of Huddersfield gets past Jordan Obita of Reading during the FA Cup Third Round match between Huddersfield Town and Reading at Galpharm Stadium on January 3, 2015© Getty Images


Possible starting lineup

Smithies; Smith, Hudson, Lynch, Davidson; Scannell, Whitehead, Butterfield, Dempsey; Wells, Vaughan

First game: Hull City (A), Full fixture list



Sports Mole says

Huddersfield possess some proven Championship quality, but it is hard to see them troubling the top half this season. Town fans are hoping that the momentum created by a seven-match unbeaten run at the end of last season will continue into the new campaign, but the sale of Coady raises some concerns.

Much will depend on Powell and whether he can get this side performing on a consistent basis. He has brought in Dean Whitehead, who brings experience alongside Jacob Butterfield in the middle of midfield, while their chances of success will be boosted if they can keep James Vaughan fit for the whole campaign.

Town shipped 75 goal in 46 league games in 2014-15 and something must be done about this, otherwise it could be a season of struggle for the Yorkshire outfit.

Prediction - 24th

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Jacob Butterfield of Huddersfield celebrates scoring the opening goal with Tommy Smith during the Sky Bet Championship match against Brighton on October 21, 2014
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5Huddersfield TownHuddersfield1692525151029
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12Charlton AthleticCharlton166461717022
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16Blackpool175572430-620
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18Northampton TownNorthampton174671923-418
19Rotherham UnitedRotherham164571419-517
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22Cambridge UnitedCambridge163491425-1113
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24Burton Albion1615101529-148


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