Match Preview: Huddersfield Town v Bradford City
Huddersfield Town story posted by Sean Makin on 05/08/2013
Huddersfield Town's first match of the 2013/14 season at the John Smith's Stadium is a Capital One Cup first round tie with West Yorkshire neighbours Bradford City.
City of course reached the final of this competition last season losing to Premier League Swansea City but they returned to Wembley two months later to win promotion from League Two via the play-offs.
Town on the contrast were knocked out in the first round with a poor display at Preston North End.
The Terriers started their Championship season with a 1-0 defeat away at Nottingham Forest on Saturday whereas The Bantams in League One came away with a deserved point in a 2-2 draw with Bristol City.
Team news:
Town:
Manager Mark Robins has confirmed that Oscar Gobern and James Vaughan are fit to face Bradford after both picked up knocks at Notts Forest.
Anthony Gerrard could be line to start tomorrow despite not playing in a pre-season due to injury.
The players that won't be in contention is Jon Stead (groin), Calum Woods (collarbone) and Keith Southern (calf) who are all out injured.
Bradford City
Phil Parkinson, who once did a u-turn at the 11th hour on becoming Town boss back in 2007, will likely to be without defender Rory McArdle who picked up an injury in the draw with Bristol City.
Luke Oliver isn't quite back to full fitness having been out since October with an Achilles injury and Andy Gray is out with a broken arm.
One to watch Gary Jones
The experienced midfielder is the creative force of the City team. Jones played well against Town during his time at Rochdale.
Away fan's view
Bantams fan Kate Eveleigh has kindly answered a few questions for us about Bradford City. You can follow Kate on Twitter @bantamskatee
Last season must have been the stuff dreams are made of getting promotion and reaching the League Cup final?
Absolutely! Last season I watched some of the best games I am ever likely to see as a City fan! I think what made it more special was that so many times it looked like we'd blown it but the team never gave up!
You must have been delighted that manager Phil Parkinson committed his future to the Bantams but are you surprised he didn't leave when the sharks were circling?
Phil Parkinson always said he had a project to finish and I believed him - but the contract talks went on a bit too long and it made us all a bit twitchy!
Its fair to say that Bradford have been through the doldrums these past 13 years or so, do you think now the club is on the up?
I hope so. Phil Parkinson seems to have got the players working as a team now, which is something we've not had since the Premiership days. I think that will help us.
Are you happy with the squad at the moment?
Our signings from the summer look promising, so apart from the fact that we haven't yet replaced Duke, yes.
Which player should Huddersfield Town fans watch out for tomorrow?
I think even if we play a weakened team, it will still be fairly strong, but Nakhi Wells is the player who will cause problems in front of goal.
Any Huddersfield Town player you secretly admire?
Alex Smithies is a great keeper.
Any favourite memories from derby games between Huddersfield Town and Bradford City?
There's not been much to cheer about between us recently, so I'll go for the JPT penalty win last time out!
Your prediction for tomorrow's match?
It will be close and I have a terrible feeling it will go to penalties again. I wouldn't like to predict who'll win a shoot out but 1-1 after 90 minutes.
City of course reached the final of this competition last season losing to Premier League Swansea City but they returned to Wembley two months later to win promotion from League Two via the play-offs.
Town on the contrast were knocked out in the first round with a poor display at Preston North End.
The Terriers started their Championship season with a 1-0 defeat away at Nottingham Forest on Saturday whereas The Bantams in League One came away with a deserved point in a 2-2 draw with Bristol City.
Team news:
Town:
Manager Mark Robins has confirmed that Oscar Gobern and James Vaughan are fit to face Bradford after both picked up knocks at Notts Forest.
Anthony Gerrard could be line to start tomorrow despite not playing in a pre-season due to injury.
The players that won't be in contention is Jon Stead (groin), Calum Woods (collarbone) and Keith Southern (calf) who are all out injured.
Bradford City
Phil Parkinson, who once did a u-turn at the 11th hour on becoming Town boss back in 2007, will likely to be without defender Rory McArdle who picked up an injury in the draw with Bristol City.
Luke Oliver isn't quite back to full fitness having been out since October with an Achilles injury and Andy Gray is out with a broken arm.
One to watch Gary Jones
The experienced midfielder is the creative force of the City team. Jones played well against Town during his time at Rochdale.
Away fan's view
Bantams fan Kate Eveleigh has kindly answered a few questions for us about Bradford City. You can follow Kate on Twitter @bantamskatee
Last season must have been the stuff dreams are made of getting promotion and reaching the League Cup final?
Absolutely! Last season I watched some of the best games I am ever likely to see as a City fan! I think what made it more special was that so many times it looked like we'd blown it but the team never gave up!
You must have been delighted that manager Phil Parkinson committed his future to the Bantams but are you surprised he didn't leave when the sharks were circling?
Phil Parkinson always said he had a project to finish and I believed him - but the contract talks went on a bit too long and it made us all a bit twitchy!
Its fair to say that Bradford have been through the doldrums these past 13 years or so, do you think now the club is on the up?
I hope so. Phil Parkinson seems to have got the players working as a team now, which is something we've not had since the Premiership days. I think that will help us.
Are you happy with the squad at the moment?
Our signings from the summer look promising, so apart from the fact that we haven't yet replaced Duke, yes.
Which player should Huddersfield Town fans watch out for tomorrow?
I think even if we play a weakened team, it will still be fairly strong, but Nakhi Wells is the player who will cause problems in front of goal.
Any Huddersfield Town player you secretly admire?
Alex Smithies is a great keeper.
Any favourite memories from derby games between Huddersfield Town and Bradford City?
There's not been much to cheer about between us recently, so I'll go for the JPT penalty win last time out!
Your prediction for tomorrow's match?
It will be close and I have a terrible feeling it will go to penalties again. I wouldn't like to predict who'll win a shoot out but 1-1 after 90 minutes.
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