TERRIERS TAUGHT US A LESSON
The No.1pullout that scores EVERY time Ritchie’s warning Aaron backs boss
MATT RITCHIE can still recall the hysteria which greeted defeat in his home debut.
Newcastle lost 2-1 to a side tipped for relegation, a defeat following on the heels of another bad result on the opening day of the season at Fulham.
A week into the campaign, Newcastle were propping up the Championship table and suddenly pre-season optimism had been replaced by doubt, bewilderment and alarm.
But the former Bournemouth winger wasn’t worried.
“It was a tough game that day – they’re a good side,” he said of David Wagner’s Terriers.
“But a lot of people had obviously never experienced this league and that’s why they thought it was a crisis after two games.
“I knew what the Championship is all about so it was no real surprise for me. The ®Êby IAN MURTAGH surprising thing was the reaction. Some were maybe thinking we would be rolling teams over week in, week out but that’s not the case.”
Newcastle recovered and while they have not exactly taken the league by storm, Tuesday’s 2-1 win at title rivals Brighton took them back to the top of the table.
Sustained
If they can follow up with victory at third-placed Huddersfield today – with top scorer Dwight Gayle available again – promotion will be a giant step closer.
“It’s no surprise to me that Huddersfield are where they are,” said Ritchie, who won the title with Bournemouth two years ago.
“I thought they were very good at St James’ Park, the way they pressed off the ball and counterattacked. They’ve built on that start and sustained it.”
Huddersfield need victory more but Ritchie insists Newcastle won’t be satisfied with a point, even if it maintained the eight-point gap between the sides.
“We are only thinking about winning the game,” he said.
“They’re on a good run, but so are we. We’re top of the league, and I’m sure they will be wary of us going there, and rightly so because we’re a good side.
“Hopefully we can go there and perform as we have been and get three points.” STRIKING IT RITCH: Matt Ritchie is targeting victory at Huddersfield ®Êby ALEX CROOK BOLTON could be without both captain Jay Spearing (knee) and striker Gary Madine, who has been ill, while forward Chris Long is suspended.
AFC Wimbledon’s Jon Meades will be assessed on an ankle injury and midfielder Chris Whelpdale is back in training after a groin problem, but lacks match fitness. BRADFORD boss Stuart McCall must decide whether to recall Mark Marshall (hamstring), while Stephen Darby (arm) will be assessed.
Peterborough defender Jack Baldwin completes a two-match ban, while Gwion Edwards has been ruled out for eight weeks with a knee problem. BURY defender Anthony Kay serves the second match of a two-game suspension, meaning teenager Callum Styles should continue in midfield.
Gillingham have doubts over Bradley Dack, Mark Byrne (both hamstring), Chris Herd (knee) and Deji Oshilaja (groin). Rory Donnelly (ankle) is out. MILLWALL pair Steve Morison and Jed Wallace face late fitness tests. Jordan Archer is again set to miss out with a groin problem.
MK Dons striker Chuks Aneke is out with a hamstring injury, but Ben Reeves (groin), Dean Lewington and Joe Walsh (both ankle) are now fit. BRENDAN MOLONEY and loanee Luke Williams could both come back into contention for Northampton after knee problems, but Alex Revell (calf) is out.
Patrick Bauer should be back for Charlton following a bout of concussion, though defenders Chris Solly (suspended) and Jason Pearce (groin) are unavailable.