Four who could be key for Town
THE second half of the season has been little short of miserable for the Terriers, as they have claimed just three wins since the turn of the new year and still not yet safe from the threat of relegation.
The long-term absences of key players like Josh Koroma and Harry Toffolo has not helped, and we can only hope that having them back in the side next season, as well as the recruitment of more capable backup options, will have an uplifting effect on their fortunes next season.
But there are a few players already at Huddersfield Town who could also be of assistance next season but for one reason or another have not featured a huge amount...
THE midfielder took a while to get going after arriving in mid-October.
But after a few months of building his fitness and getting used to the relentlessness of English football, Vallejo started to play in January.
By the end of February it was clear the he had a level of calm, composure and passing range. There’s a sense you’re rarely going to get an 8/10 performance out of Vallejo but he’ll never give you less than a 5/10 even on his worst day either.
Vallejo is out of contract at the end of the season.
AARON Rowe had played just 105 league minutes before the turn of the new year, and 90 of them were in the much-changed scratch side that lost 5-0 away to Bournemouth.
His encouraging performance off the bench at Middlesbrough in February finally got the engine started on his career.
Rowe began the following game and was a standout performer as
ran out 4-1 winners over Swansea. He has had his ups and downs since then, but that is to be expected from a young player who is getting regular minutes at this level for the first time. His ability to play on either flank means he is sure to get more minutes next season.
HIS transfer was finally sealed in January and he had just broken into the first team with five appearances, including two quite encouraging displays away to Bristol City and Luton Town, when a hamstring injury stuck and ruled him out for two months.
Aarons’ outings against Bournemouth and Barnsley were as much about getting minutes into his legs as anything else but while he may not have shone individually, there’s no doubting the stylistic changes his introduction allowed helped Town look like a better team.
The winger will be hoping next season will finally give him the chance to show what he can do as a first-team regular, and if he’s able to hit his stride he could well show why Town identified him as their number one wing target last summer.
YET more rotten luck for Town, who signed the dynamic goalscoring No. 9 fans had been crying out for all season only for him to suffer an injury that could have befallen any player at any time.
Within a week of finally signing after a lengthy work permit process, Niasse suffered a season-ending groin injury after an opponent fell on him during a B team game and caused him to effectively do the splits.
The striker is only on a deal until the end of the season, but as far as we are aware, if his recovery goes well there is a chance the club could look to turn that into a new deal for next season.
Watch this space. It’s either that or you can expect to read about him again at the next midseason international break.