Terrier on the Terraces: All eyes on derby with Leeds United

A win, a clean sheet, and James Vaughan fit and playing. Saturday’s win at Wigan was an ideal day for Huddersfield Town.

Even allowing for the games other sides have in hand over Town, it has opened up some real daylight between the Terriers and the drop zone.

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After eight games - five of those ending in defeat - relegation looked a real prospect, with Town rooted in the bottom three. Now is the perfect time to strengthen that position, with upcoming games at Millwall and, first up on Saturday, the West Yorkshire derby at home to Leeds.

Vaughan’s presence was a real boost. After a week where there was a question mark hanging over whether he would play again this season, seeing him line up alongside Nahki Wells was a real fillip for the travelling fans.

As ever, he put in a committed performance, not letting the presence of a protective mask hold him back from challenges with Wigan’s central defenders.

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With no new striker arriving in the week prior to the match, there had been concern over the depth of the striking options available to Chris Powell.

Focus now shifts to Saturday’s West Yorkshire derby. Leeds will come to Huddersfield desperate for only their second away win of the season off the back of an impressive win against high-flying Bournemouth last week.

The behind-the-scenes turmoil has perhaps focused minds at Elland Road, and that will make Leeds a tougher prospect than they were already, especially with them scrapping for points to put distance between themselves and the drop.

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I doubt the match will be a classic footballing encounter, but it will be one that the fans will be able to get excited about, with tackles flying in and passions running high on both sides.

A final word of congratulation to Bradford City and in particular on-loan Town striker Jon Stead after their remarkable result at Chelsea in the FA Cup.

Bradford have developed into a cup team no one will want to draw, and it’s good to see a Huddersfield lad getting back to enjoying his football.

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