Huddersfield v Brighton: Terriers keen to prove they are still ambitious

CHRIS POWELL insists Huddersfield Town remain ambitious after revealing the club will “not entertain” the prospect of Jacob Butterfield joining Alex Smithies in heading out the exit door.
OUTGOING: 

Huddersfield Town goalkeeper Alex Smithies.OUTGOING: 

Huddersfield Town goalkeeper Alex Smithies.
OUTGOING: Huddersfield Town goalkeeper Alex Smithies.

The Terriers chase a first victory of the season tonight when Brighton & Hove Albion head to the John Smith’s Stadium.

As important as the quest for taking three points off the Seagulls is, however, the major debate surrounding Town for the past few days has revolved around possible transfers.

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News that Smithies could be heading to QPR in a £1.5m deal first emerged over the weekend and led to consternation among supporters.

That unease was then cranked up further yesterday when sources in the East Midlands suggested that Derby County had made a bid for Butterfield.

Powell shot down that speculation yesterday, telling The Yorkshire Post: “There has been no bid and no direct contact with myself.

“Even if there is (a bid) and a phone call is made, we will not entertain it. Jacob is integral to my plans with this team.”

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Supporters will be reassured by those words, even if the stark reality is that Championship clubs such as Huddersfield – who do not benefit from any parachute payments, which this season will see Hull City receive an additional £24m in income from the Premier League to cover the financial ‘hit’ of relegation – will always be susceptible to interest from rivals with bigger budgets.

In the last financial year for which accounts are available, basically the 2013-14 season, Town lost £6.8m. The previous two seasons had brought a combined loss of almost £10m.

It means any significant bid – such as the £1.5m offer lodged for Smithies and the £2m that took Conor Coady to Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this summer – has to be listened to.

Despite that, Powell – who is hoping to put to good use any money banked from the sale of Smithies – is adamant that the West Yorkshire club remains committed to improving year-on-year.

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“There is ambition here,” said the Terriers chief. “I am an ambitious young manager. I want to do well.

“People talk about if we will reinvest and I am sure we will. We need to. I want to because I think it is right for us as a club.

“My chairman has always been very good with regards trying to improve us. If Alex goes, this may be an opportunity to do that.

“If it happens and Alex leaves, we have to take stock and then look at how we move forward with regards the goalkeeping department. Or maybe another consideration. We are where we are. We will not spend money we have not got. If there is money available – which I will find out in due course – then I will act to make us a better squad and a better club.

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“I want us to be better than last year, when we finished well. So, it is not a case of questioning our ambition. It is just football.

“These things happen at our level and the very top level. You have to battle on.”

On Saturday, in The Yorkshire Post, Steve Bruce urged the football authorities to bring forward the end of the transfer window to the eve of the season.

The Hull City manager has been a frustrated figure due to the dozen plus departures following relegation and admits to fearing more could leave before September 1 with Tom Huddlestone on West Ham United’s radar and Ahmed Elmohamady watched by Premier League clubs.

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Bruce’s view is shared by Powell, even though the two clubs’ incomes are very different. The Town chief said: “I 100 per cent agree with what Steve said. It only benefits the bigger clubs with money. No-one else.

“How can you plan all pre-season and then, two weeks in, you can lose two or three players. It should, by rights, be August 1 as the cut-off point.

“Hull could buy any player from our league but they are worried because they can lose to the vultures in the Premier League. It affects everyone.”

Smithies spent yesterday in the capital discussing terms with Rangers and undergoing a medical. A deal could be concluded as early as today, depending on how well those negotiations progress.

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Asked if he felt a fee of £1.5m possibly under-valued a goalkeeper with 274 senior appearances to his name, Powell replied: “He is a good goalkeeper but he is worth what anyone wants to pay, regardless of what I think.

“Alex is a very good goalkeeper at this level and I am sure, one day, he will play higher.

“But he has been here a long time.”

On the need to hold on to Butterfield, the Town chief added: “Someone like Jacob is a key, key player for us.

“No-one would want to move Jacob Butterfield from this football club.

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“I appreciate people will say, ‘Everyone has their price’. That is correct.

“But Jacob is integral to me.”

Following developments over Smithies’ possible sale, Town chairman Dean Hoyle will answer questions from supporters tonight at the club’s Canalside training complex, between 6-7pm.

Entry is free.

Last six games: Huddersfield Town DDDLLD, Brighton & Hove Albion LLDWWW.

Last time: Huddersfield Town 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 1; October 21, 2014; Championship.

Referee: E Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).