Cullen praises Grant

Josh Cullen reflects on Saturday's victory over Accrington and praises Karlan Grant for keeping his cool when he took his penalty: Praise for Grant

Huddersfield Town are reportedly taking a keen interest in Grant, as are Brentford and Millwall: Huddersfield interest

What's in the water at Huddersfield?

I don't know what's in the water up in Huddersfield but now striker Lee Novak has reinforced the message coming from supremo 'Larry' Grayson that they can overtake Charlton in the table: http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-headlines/huddersfield-town-we-still-aim-to-be-top-dogs-novak-1-4375336

Whilst I can see that Huddersfield might hope to beat Charlton tomorrow, it seems to me that actually overtaking them in the league is a tall order.   Perhaps, as Drinking During the Game suggests, the real target is to get past the two Sheffield clubs.

Interestingly, the Examiner is taking up a much cautious line this morning, arguing that it won't be an 'easy win' against Charlton.  Having delivered this devastating insight, they then go on to favour a draw as a likely outcome.  They could well be right and I would take it.

Huddersfield may take heart from the fact that the referee is from Yorkshire and the two linos and the fourth official are all from 'Oop North.

Media tone changes

Tonight's match at The Valley has been overshadowed by the unexpected death of Gary Speed.   The word tragedy is very much overused but this is truly a tragedy for his family, his many friends and for football.  It reminds us that there are things that are more significant than even the most important game.

Night games at The Valley are very distinctive.   They were not a feature of my youth because there were no floodlights.  But there is a very special atmosphere on those occasions.   The downside is having to travel down with commuters understandably grumpy at having to endure another journey with south-eastern.   However, at least Deutsche Bahn has upgraded its late night service to Leamington so I no longer have to change into a bus at Rugby to get to Coventry or stay in the Holiday Inn Express at North Greenwich overnight.

The media tone towards Huddersfield has changed over the last day or two, if only because it is in their interests to promote it as a real contest rather than the latest stage in Town's glorious progression.   The Football League Paper, which usually falls over itself to big up any team from Yorkshire, even called Charlton 'red hot' yesterday.   Another relatively positive piece is to be found in the Daily Mail, although presumably most of its predominantly female membership do not read the sports pages but want to find out about the latest threat to human civilisation as we know it (falling house prices): http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2066888/Bradley-Wright-Phillips-Jordan-Rhodes-scoring-fun-Michael-Walker.html

There is no doubt that we are up for a real contest tonight which will hopefully show the strength of our attack.  The contrast between Jordan Rhodes and Bradley ('he's better than Shaun') Wright-Phillips is a fascinating one and is reviewed in depth here: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/jordan-rhodes-taking-the-fast-lane-in-race-of-the-forwards-6268590.html

Our central defence need to show their mettle, but for me, recent forced changes in midfield are a concern.   Johnnie Jackson was not the most obvious player, but he had a welcome habit of appearing in the right place at the right time.

Chris Powell knows that Charlton are going to have to produce something special:
http://www.examiner.co.uk/huddersfield-town-fc/huddersfield-town-news/2011/11/26/charlton-athletic-need-something-special-to-topple-huddersfield-town-chris-powell-86081-29843588/

Huddersfield are certainly up for it, captain Peter Clarke claiming it is a chance to 'show the nation what we are all about.'    This statement chimes up with some of the media hype, although I doubt whether the nation are on the edge of their seats.   It has been suggested, however, that we could dispense with selection worries for Britain's Olympic teams by playing the Huddersfield side.   Indeed, I am surprised that Beckham seems to prefer Paris St. Germain to Huddersfield.

The media hype surrounding Huddersfield has irritated me, but I would quite happy to see them come up in second place.   They are a side with a great footballing history and we are tied together by the 7-6 (when, to my everlasting fury, I had been taken Christmas shopping in Woolwich).   A very good friend is a supporter.

Huddersfield have not been beaten in London since April 2010 when they lost 3-0 to Brentford.   I doubt whether we can repeat that and, given that we are up against draw specialists, I am going for a 1-1.  Odds from Coral (as provided by CSP Addick Dick Sheppard): Charlton 11/8, draw 9/4, Huddersfield 2/1.

See the conquering heroes come!

Ron Knee takes a break from his duties managing Neasden FC in the North Circular Relegation League to share his thoughts on the illustrious visit of Huddersfield Town to The Valley tomorrow:

I must admit I don't go south of the river very much.   That's what we say in the cab trade: 'Sorry, guv, I don't go south of the river.'   In football terms it's places like our rivals Dollis Hill I am familiar with.

However, even I may go south of the river in spirit tomorrow night, that it to say with a bottle of scotch and some extra strong cider as a chaser in front of my television set.   It will be a rare chance to see the team that has electrified English football: Huddersfield Town.

By some strange quirk of fate, Huddersfield have never played in the Premiership.   Personally, I think the rot started when it was known that Harold Wilson was a supporter.   Another blow was the system of only one point for a draw when, in fairness to Huddersfield, it should be two points for a home draw at least.

It will be a few months yet before Huddersfield can claim the League 1 title that is rightly theirs.  It's a mystery to yours truly how they managed to lose two play off games, but there are some officials who have it in for any team from Yorkshire.

Of course, there was a time when the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea graced The Valley.  Huddersfield have to play a few games yet before they overtake Arsenal's unbeaten record, but that should be a formality.   As for whether United or Huddersfield are the greater team, I guess the jury is still out, but at least Town don't have fancy dan foreign managers like Chelsea.   Their sort wouldn't last a minute in the North Circular Relegation League where only real men play.   Just like Huddersfield in fact.

Despite their great successes, it hasn't all gone to the heads of the Huddersfield players.   Jordan Rhodes could probably win the game on his own (at least that is what The Football League Paper says today). 

However, Rhodes is such a sporting gent that he does not want to upset the South London losers ahead of the game so he has said that Charlton may actually have a chance of winning.   He has said, 'We go to Charlton trying our best to get a result and to keep the run going.   But if you said we'd get beat there and win promotion at the end of the season, I think everybody at Huddersfield Town would snap your hand off.'
What a geezer, thinking about the feelings of the minnows and their supporters!

As for the result, Huddersfield are a very cultured team who don't like to humiliate their opponents.   It's more about quality play.   Charlton have actually scored more in total, although Town have only let in six away from home.

So I think we are in for a match in which Huddersfield exhibit their quality, but win by a single goal.