Huddersfield are ones to watch

I know we had a bad experience last time AFCB played the Terriers. That scoreline still resonates in my memory banks, but I have to admit Mark Robins and his team intrigue me. This January he has really been splashing the cash, not on experienced players but on youthful talent. It may be more in an attempt to build for next season than to have a dash at the play-off this time around, but I like his thinking.

New signing Joe Lolly from Kiddermister Harriers is set to make his first start for the Terriers having singed a 2.5 year deal with a six figure transfer fee. Lolly is 21 years-old and has 11 goals in 25 games this season. Whether he can make the step up is perhaps give a bit of credance by his FA Cup goal against Peterborough on a week or so ago.

The real poucher I have heard about is Nahki Wells who was a regular scorer at Bardford City over the last two seasons. The transfer has broken the club record so even a player from League One is not cheap to pick up at the moment - think about that a moment those of you who still want Leon Clarke at AFCB.

Robins has also brought in Sondre Trondstad a Norweigan U18 international and Harry Bunn, a 21-year-old striker who was on Man City's books - I expect they could spare a few players with their squad. So is Robins building for the future? I think so. It looks like he believes they are heading towards safety this season and that he can give some young players a chance to get used to the Championship. It could be a good move for next season as long as the results keep coming in for Robins.

Against AFCB though I would expect a strong side from the Terriers with at least one of the new signings starting and some more of them on the bench. Wells has been getting an opportunity right away and he scored a good goal against QPR. Vaughan remains the big threat though as we know all to well. We may have to tell the ground staff to reinforce the corner flags with his goal celebrations!

But at the back too they been pretty measly with letting in goals. Their defenders include Calum Woods at left back who was signed a couple of seasons ago from Dunfermiline, while Paul Dixon also came from Scotland when his contract ended with Dundee Utd. Peter Clarke though is the player at the player at the back that I remember power his headers against AFCB in the League One play-offs a couple of years ago. He is strong and a real handful when he comes up for corners.

It is reported that winger Adam Hammill is a doubt for the game and will have a fitness test. He scored the opener against Bournemouth last August if you remember and basically ran the match with Vaughan.

It is only the top teams that have been knocking Huddersfield over. Everyone else has found the Terries a difficult team to get a result against. Still Bolton was their last away win back on 3 December and they have found things more testing away from home.

Bournemouth will be looking to improve on their last home league draw against Watford. Goals are becoming a bit hard to come by for the Cherries and they need to find more of a goal threat pretty quickly. I am confident that AFCB can hold Huddersfield but they really need a win to kick-start their 2014.

Huddersfield Away League form:
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AFCB League Home form:
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Also check out the blogger pre-match interview with Thrice Champions at Rival Lines.