1 Terriers flying
The job David Wagner has done at Huddersfield this season should not be underestimated.
The former Borussia Dortmund II boss took over at the John Smith’s Stadium in mid-November last year, steadied the ship and began to shape his squad.
During the summer he brought in 13 new players and took his squad to Sweden on a bonding trip – now, Huddersfield – with six successive wins in all competitions - are just five points behind leaders Newcastle United and four behind Brighton as they bid for top flight football for the first time in 45 years.
The question is – which game takes precedence? City in the FA Cup, or Reading next Tuesday? Wagner’s team selection will tell us a lot about the Terriers’ priorities this season.
2 Changes Afoot?
With Monaco coming up next Tuesday, will Pep Guardiola make changes to the starting XI against Huddersfield?
It seems almost certain that some players will be rested, but not perhaps to the extent the Blues fielded virtually the entire EDS side at the same stage against Chelsea last season.
There was a similar situation with a game against Dynamo Kyiv to play a few days later but the Blues will surely field a much stronger starting XI this time – it will be fascinating to see who starts and who doesn’t.
3 No Mooy for the Terriers
Aaron Mooy is ineligible to face City tomorrow with the on-loan Aussie not allowed to face his parent club.
That will be a blow to David Wagner’s side with Mooy one of Huddersfield’s best players this season and arguably the team’s main playmaker.
City allowed Patrick Roberts to play for Celtic in the Champions League earlier this season and, wanting Mooy to be tested against top flight players, would perhaps have been happy for Mooy to have played – but rules are rules!
4 Bermuda Triangle
A striker from Hamilton, Bermuda who scores goals regularly? Sounds familiar!
Nahki Wells’ rise to prominence at Huddersfield Town won’t be lost on City fans who had the pleasure of watching Bermudian legend Shaun Goater bang in more than 100 goals for the Blues between 1998 and 2003.
Wells played for the same MLS fourth tier side Bermuda Hogges as a teenager – the team part-owned by Goater who rates Wells as one of the most exciting talents to come out of his home island and with a 101 goals in English football already, the Blues will need to keep close tabs on the striker on Saturday – if he plays.
