Huddersfield Town digest: Michael Duff on Michal Helik’s future as new faces arrive
The centre-back has been linked with a move away from the John Smith’s Stadium ahead of Saturday lunchtime’s trip to Blackpool
What’s been said
Michael Duff,on Thursday afternoon, outlining the team’s position regarding Michal Helik’s future in light of rumours that he would join Oxford United of the Championship:
Since Misch is a skilled player who has participated in numerous Championship games, it is an indication that your players are performing well when people show interest in them.
We spoke with Misch in the summer when a League One team expressed interest in him, and we told them, “We’re not selling to League One; if a Championship club makes a bid, it’s a different thing.”
But I can now tell you with certainty that his illness was the only reason he missed the Wycombe game.
“Not just in the centre-forward department, I think we are fairly full.
During the next few weeks, I will be speaking with people. We don’t have to let individuals go, but I will be talking to them about how their playing time will be limited. If they want to advance in their careers, they will want to play football because they are football players.
It’s not like we have to cut eight players because we signed a few; it’s just letting them know that their playing time would be restricted and that, in my opinion, they might have to play football somewhere else if they want to.
Another reason why people might depart is that we might receive bids. As of right now, nothing has been rejected.
“There’s probably going to be no more in. We’ve got a squad of 25 now and they’re all first-team players, so you can’t keep them all happy and that’s where you’ve just got to tell the truth and say this is where it lies.
“If someone makes a bid for a player that we deem is a decent bid [we may consider it]…[but] until that happens, I don’t worry too much about it.”
— Michael Duff, on Thursday afternoon, on new signings Joe Taylor and Dion Charles:
“From my perspective, signing Joe Taylor was a good birthday; I appreciate the chairman for that.”
We believe that these two players will complement our current group. We were close to closing the transaction when we met with Joe in the summer, but as I’ve stated before, there are always a number of things that could go wrong before they walk through the door and sign the dotted line.
“Joe is young, ambitious, and of a good age. He gives us threats with his lightning-fast speed, and he has goals in him.” He scored goals for two separate teams, two different divisions, and two different formations at the two clubs he attended last year.
“We wanted to bring him in this summer and we kept in contact with him, and I think the way the season’s panned out he gives us a dimension we don’t have — we can’t really stretch teams. The club have invested in him and hopefully it can work for all parties.
“Dion is somewhat comparable. older, more seasoned, and demonstrated at the level. He has played in a formation that is similar to ours for the previous two or three years, and he has been one of the most formidable opponents due to his threat of goals, pressuring, and all-around skill.
“We played Bolton five times at Barnsley, and I think we had Mads Andersen, who I thought was the best center-half in the league, easily. Dion was the one who really gave him a hard time every time.”
“So we seized the chance as soon as we had a hunch it might be feasible and a success.”
Blackpool will play host to Town in Saturday’s 12:30pm kick-off.
Michael Duff described Blackpool as perhaps the ‘best side we’ve played this season’, but they have struggled for consistency since claiming a two-goal win at the John Smith’s Stadium back in September and sit 16th in the table.
Steve Bruce’s side have not won any of their past nine games at home in all competitions, with their last victory at Bloomfield Road coming against Burton Albion back in September.
Kyle Joseph has been the key dangerman for Blackpool so far this season, with eight goals and three assists in League One.
Huddersfield Town injuries and absences
Ruben Roosken will serve the second game of his three match ban against Blackpool.
Michal Helik missed the Wycombe game unwell but has been available since then.
Brodie Spencer and Josh Koroma both departed the Wycombe game with knocks but are both absolutely fine and able to play.
Nigel Lonwijk is set to be out until February-March with a hamstring injury.
David Kasumu is expected to miss another couple of weeks with a hamstring injury.
Lee Nicholls has been out since September with an elbow injury, but is now fully available and has played for the B team. He is now back in contention to start but Duff has indicated he may now have to fight for his place.
Lasse Sorensen is in full training but this weekend may come to soon for him, according to Duff.
Rhys Healey remains out with a calf injury with no set return date.
Mickel Miller is out until March/April with an MCL injury.
Danny Ward is out for the season with a knee ligament injury
Predicted line-up to face Blackpool
3-4-1-2: Jacob Chapman; Matty Pearson, Tom Lees, Brodie Spencer; Ollie Turton, Joe Hodge, Herbie Kane, Josh Koroma; Ben Wiles; Joe Taylor, Callum Marshall.
Substitutes: Lee Nicholls, Radinio Balker, Josh Ruffels, Antony Evans, Jonathan Hogg,
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