Pundits offer hope with historic Great Escapes
TOWN coach Jan Siewert was a defensive midfielder in his own playing days, so he knows a bit about what’s expected in that role.
It was a master stroke, however, to select Jon Gorenc Stankovic as midfield anchorman against Wolves.
Stankovic had left Borussia Dortmund by the time Siewert arrived to take charge of the second team, but he knows all about the 6ft 3in Slovenian, who has previously been cast as more of a central defender.
Stankovic shone against Wolves, though, with some surging runs, bruising tackles, astute covering and sensible use of the ball.
Because of all the injury problems he has had and the fact he was a young man when he arrived at PPG Canalside, it’s easy to forget Stankovic is only just gone 23 and has the prime of his career to come.
Undoubtedly one with plenty of offer for the future at the John Smith’s Stadium.
GOALS have been few and far between this season, much the same as victories, but Town’s faithful clearly haven’t forgotten how to celebrate.
When Steve Mounie swept in the winning goal in stoppage time at the end, the celebrations were akin to that moment when Christopher Schindler swept home a certain penalty at Wembley. no-one has ever survived from having 14 points after 28 games.
“But we will do our best to give Huddersfield some hope,” he added. “Portsmouth completed the Great Escape in 2006 having had 19 points with 10 games remaining – a Matthew Taylor penalty ensuring their survival (under Harry Redknapp). And Leicester City had their Great Escape in 2015, when they were right at the bottom with 10 games to go. I suppose the argument is they were only seven points adrift, but they got 22 points in their final 10 matches – and a run like that for Huddersfield and they would certainly have a chance.”