Huddersfield Town v Rotherham United: Critical period now in full view for Lee Grant

Four of Town's next six fixtures are at home, starting with Tuesday night's EFL Trophy last-16 tie against Rotherham United.

A huge League One derby with Bradford City arrives on Saturday week, with Grant's side welcoming another rival in Luton just three days later.

Town enjoyed a good Christmas, but a run of three games without a win has soured the mood music among a frustrated fanbase, with the departure of star loanee Leo Castledine compounding the angst.

A last-gasp weekend reverse loss at Stockport County - the latest blemish in Town's poor record against sides around them in the table - was hardly what the doctor ordered either.

There are plenty of historic examples of other big clubs at this level enduring plenty of pain in a season, but still managing to get over the line come May. But the clock is starting to tick.

Grant said: "With regards to our level at the weekend, we're not satisfied and certainly feel as though we've come up short and I've come up short in terms of the display that we put on show.

"The message (to supporters) is the same as it always would be. Please stick with us.

"We're working so hard internally. I'm working so hard to make sure that we give them a team they can really be proud of, of course. We feel it when we fall short and drop short of our own level and standards.

"We really do. Me, as much as anybody, I certainly shoulder the responsibility for the team when they cross the line because they're representing the work that we put in day to day."

The likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Sunderland and Nottingham Forest have all endured difficulties in terms of getting out of League One. As Grant rightly opines, it is rarely a 'straight shot' when it comes to securing promotion back to the Championship.

From his time on Wearside, senior professional Lynden Gooch can vouch for that fact with Sunderland having to dig deep to escape the division at Wembley at the end of 2021-22 after two previous play-off heartaches.

He added: "When I got promoted at Sunderland, we were outside the play-off places at this stage. We fell down quite a bit and managed to get back and go up through the playoffs. So there's still so much to play for.

"I think it helps me to help the other players as well, to not get too down if we have a poor result. But we understand the fans' frustrations."

Town are assessing Alfie May, who missed the loss at Stockport after citing an injury issue.

Meanwhile, Grant has told supporters not to expect a direct replacement for Castledine to arrive this month - with Town still reeling from a significant blow which saw the attacking midfielder recalled by parent club Chelsea ahead of a full-time move to Middlesbrough late last week.

The Town boss commented: "Of course, if we have an opportunity to find another Leo Castledine, I think nobody's going to turn their nose up at that. But I think that's going to be very, very difficult in this window."

Town change tack to the Trophy this evening and despite their current disappointments, they remain just three wins from Wembley.

It's a competition that holds positive memories for Gooch, who scored the winner for Sunderland in the 2021 final against Tranmere in the 20-21 season when supporters were absent from grounds due to Covid regulations.

He recalled: "It was quite weird with no fans, but still an amazing moment. And a trophy that I won with my boyhood club and being able to score at Wembley.

"And hopefully as a group, we can create more memories like that. That's something that I look back on fondly and I'd love to do that again. Since day one, the gaffer's always said that he wants to win the competition."