Hogg back as Cowley plans best way to topple Wigan FIXTURES
EXCITEMENT is building as Huddersfield Town prepare for their return to Championship action against Wigan Athletic at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Saturday’s 3pm kick-off will be far from normal with no supporters present to roar on Danny Cowley’s side and Covid-19 precautions in place to protect players, essential staff and media.
But the same three points are on offer as when Town last took to their home pitch against Charlton Athletic on February 29 and, in fact, the Terriers are bidding for a third successive home victory.
That won’t be easy against a Wigan side under manager Paul
Cook who are looking to extend their unbeaten Championship run to seven matches and provide a significant tonic to their own chances of Championship survival.
So it’s a crunch fixture in the grand scheme of things - and Cowley and the supporters watching from afar will be keen to see the players rise to the occasion.
Cowley is certain to employ a 4-2-3-1 formation against a Wigan side who line up with that shape as well.
The Latics have played that formation for most of the season and definitely in their last four matches, after operating a defensive 4-3-3 in their 2-2 draw at Cardiff.
Before that, they flirted with 3-5-2 when losing at home to Preston and 5-3-2 in their stunning win at Leeds.
Given Cowley’s thinking on personnel before the lockdown and assuming there are no new major injury issues to contend with, we reckon the boss could make just one change to the starting line-up from the Leeds game at Elland Road.
That would be Jonathan Hogg replacing Trevoh Chalobah in