‘Town will be back in hunt next season’
JON Stead believes Huddersfield Town are well placed to get over their Championship play-off heartbreak by mounting another promotion charge next season.
A brilliant season for the Terriers ended in disappointment with the 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Wembley.
“You’ve got to get away from the game a little bit, get out of your own head and refresh yourself,” said the Huddersfieldborn striker who started his playing career with the Terriers.
“If you speak to any Huddersfield fan at the start of the season, did we think we’d be pushing at the top of the table? I don’t think that was the case. The expectation has grown a little bit but they’ve got all the tools. Carlos (Corberan) has done a great job, galvanised the squad and it’s been a fantastic ride for the supporters.
“The town has come together and been pleasantly surprised with what they’ve seen. It’s a fantastic club and I’m sure now they’ve got that foot in to come back strong next season, hold onto expectations but be a strong force come next May.”
Town had two strong penalty appeals turned down at Wembley, and Stead thought they were unlucky to miss out.
“I think [they were hard done by] very much so,” he said. “The first one at first view you’re thinking it could be a penalty, then when you look at the replays, I really did feel the VAR would overturn the decision.
“The second one I’m not so sure on but the first there’s contact and Jack [Colback]’s reaction after the incident and the game tells the story. When VAR is in place you’re hoping it’ll help a little bit.
“In the bigger picture, did Huddersfield go on and do enough? I’m not so sure, against a strong Forest side who’ve had a fantastic season.”