Huddersfield Town Week in Review, Monday 9th November: Luton Draw, Bradford Win and FA Cup Exit to Exeter City
It's been a jam-packed week for Huddersfield Town, taking in a league draw, a cup upset and plenty of talk about where this season could end up. Opta's projected League One table has the Terriers among the sides getting a boost in the forecasted finishes, alongside fellow Yorkshire clubs Barnsley, while Doncaster Rovers and Bradford City were shown taking blows (Yorkshire Post). Sky Sports also asked who can stop a high-flying Huddersfield Town side (Sky Sports), and Town were included in the latest Yorkshire Team of the Week alongside Hull City, Middlesbrough and Barnsley (Yorkshire Post).
Town headed into the week on the back of victory at Bradford City, though the Huddersfield Examiner noted that win could prove 'useless' if the Terriers don't follow it up with the right next step (Huddersfield Examiner). There was also a notable Bradford City dismissal in that game, with the Bantams boss admitting sympathy for his captain afterwards (Yorkshire Post). Joe Low described a surreal moment in the win as something he had "no idea what happened" with (Huddersfield Examiner), while Jonathan Hogg was full of praise after footage emerged of Derensili Sanches Fernandes in training (Football League World).
Tuesday brought Luton Town to the Accu Stadium, and Martin Drury's team news and team talk were built around mentality mattering more than usual for this one (Yorkshire Post). Radinio Balker spoke about the unity in a big Huddersfield Town squad, saying "this season there's a different camaraderie" after his own spell on the sidelines (Yorkshire Post). The match itself finished 1-1, with Derensili Sanches Fernandes striking the post and Joe Taylor getting the goal, Yorkshire Post pointing to a lack of a clinical edge at both ends as the difference (Yorkshire Post) (HTAFC.com). Martin Drury felt his side's search for a 'perfect goal' proved costly in what he called a performance full of character (Yorkshire Post), and the result was weighed up as either two points dropped or another step in the right direction (Yorkshire Post). Balker also gave his verdict on the league table amid the growing confidence in the camp (Huddersfield Examiner), while Drury explained why he finds in-game substitutions a tricky balancing act with this squad (Huddersfield Examiner). HTAFC.com had the usual build-up content, including matchday food information and details on joining supporters in HD1 for the evening kick-off (HTAFC.com), plus TV and streaming guidance for the Luton clash (Yorkshire Post).
The FA Cup brought a reality check. Huddersfield Town hosted League Two's Exeter City at the Accu Stadium (Sports Mole) (HTAFC.com), with Martin Drury explaining beforehand why the competition is no side issue for him given the club's cup history (Yorkshire Post). There was a fresh injury doubt around in-form wing-back Ilias Bronkhorst along with an update on Bojan Radulovic (Yorkshire Post). Despite the build-up, Town were beaten 2-1 by Exeter City, going out in the FA Cup first round alongside Doncaster Rovers, while Bradford City and Rotherham United advanced (Yorkshire Post) (HTAFC.com). Martin Drury and Bowat reacted to the cup exit afterwards (HTAFC.com). On a brighter note for Joe Taylor, Football League World flagged a 'surprising' decision involving him that could still hand Huddersfield Town a boost (Football League World).
Elsewhere, Town's EFL Trophy meeting with Liverpool Under-21s was previewed (Sports Mole), and the club's under-21s stayed top of their Premier League Cup group following a draw with Gillingham (HTAFC.com). Huddersfield Town's league trip to Wycombe Wanderers has been postponed, with the club confirming the game was put back at its own request while a new date is sought (HTAFC.com) (Huddersfield Examiner). Football League World also noted eye-catching scenes at a non-league side involving both Huddersfield Town and Middlesbrough (Football League World).
Away from the pitch, Football League World reported suggestions that Huddersfield Town should demand a fee in the £7m-£8m region for a player described as 'unplayable' and better than Sorba Thomas, though this remains speculation rather than confirmed business (Football League World). There was also a reflective piece on former player Efe Sodje, who turned out for Huddersfield Town and Luton Town among 11 clubs in a lengthy career before being jailed over charity fraud in retirement (Football League World). Finally, the wider football world paused to remember Patrick Stewart this week, with Guardian letters recalling fondly that the actor was known as Huddersfield Town's most famous fan (The Guardian).
This round-up is written with the help of AI, using only the day's headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.
