Terrier on the Terraces: Clarke assured of warm reception

The run of good form before the international break was a welcome boost for Huddersfield Town players and fans alike.

From being in a precarious position in the league, the wins against Millwall and Wolves and draw at Blackburn lifted Town into mid-table obscurity with a quarter of the season gone.

New manager Chris Powell will have been delighted with the return of seven points, especially with those gained away from home.

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Before the games were played, a win against Millwall was the most any fan dared to hope for, with anything from the away games being a bonus.

As it was, Town continued the impressive run at Molineux which now stands at four wins in a row and eked out a draw courtesy of a Jordan Rhodes penalty miss at Ewood Park.

Blackpool are the next opponents for Town this weekend. It has felt like a while since Town played at home, and most fans are probably expecting a win against the last team to win in the division, following the Seasiders’ win against Cardiff two weeks ago.

But Blackpool will be tough. Despite their league position, they have yet to be on the wrong end of a hammering.

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Indeed, they have gained points from improbable sources, against Middlesbrough and Cardiff in recent weeks.

Jose Riga’s side came into the season labelled as a team in crisis, with a squad assembled on a shoe-string budget in the week before the season kicked off, but their performances have not been far from the mark and Town should be wary of the threat they possess.

If Peter Clarke makes his return for Blackpool he should be assured a warm welcome.

The popular former Town club captain has been missing for several weeks through illness, but he’ll be hoping to be fit to face Grant Holt and Nahki Wells.

If he does make it, I have no doubt that Town fans will welcome him back with the reception he deserves after five distinguished years as club captain.