Huddersfield Town have had a mixed start to the season. After winning their first two games they have gone on to lose the next three. This has prompted some criticism from within, and boss Michael Duff has responded to the club owner’s outburst on X – formerly Twitter.
After the 2-1 loss at Doncaster Rovers in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, US entrepreneur Kevin Nagle took to the popular social media platform to voice his disdain and anguish over the defeat, and the two losses that preceded it.
“Not good enough!!. Cup or league we need to do better.” Were the harsh words. But gaffer Duff claimed he had no issue with the jarring comment. Knowing full well that Nagle has at least been consistent with wearing his heart on his sleeve where the team’s performances are concerned. This latest defeat was an opportunity to do just that.
Not good enough!!
Cup or league we need to do better.
From the players on up and right back down this is NOT the standard. Glad to have a bit of time to work on the issues and come back strong.
I have full confidence in Michael and the lads to get right back in form.…
— Kevin Nagle (@KevinNagleMLS) September 3, 2024
The Yorkshire Post reported the Terriers boss saying. “I have an open dialogue with Kevin all the time. Ultimately, he’s the owner of the football club and is more than entitled – he pays the bills.
“But we have a good relationship and know where we are at. It’s not going to happen overnight. And in isolation, we can take two cup games where the team has looked nothing like it (due to unavailability) and key refereeing decisions. I’d like to think we won’t give four penalties away in the next six games.”
In his defence, Nagle did follow up his original line with words of some encouragement. To echo Duffs’ words he knows that the club will work hard to get the club back to a more balanced position.
Duff went on to say, “We’ve had a glut of injuries where we have not been able to change certain positions of the pitch and there’s lots of circumstances.
“But my relationship with Kevin has been really, really good and open.”
The challenge starts this Saturday with a trip to Bolton Wanderers, not an easy one at the best of times. The injuries that the boss referred to include Brodie Spencer, David Kasumu, and Herbie Kane are still long-term casualties. Bojan Radulovic could return but Rhys Healy will not see any action as he still recovering from his hamstring injury. In addition, Danny Ward is suspended.
Writers View
The minefield of social media is often a place for fans to let loose their thoughts on team performances. Now though, with modern-day owners very active on such platforms it is easy to perhaps have knee-jerk reactions to ease frustrations. Huddersfield Town are a team that should challenge for promotion but League One is very strong this season so a good start is paramount.
Michael Duff will also be absent from the touchline this Saturday as he serves a one-game ban for his misconduct against Rotherham United on the last day of August, a 2-1 loss that is part of the problem for Nagle. A positive result at Bolton will comfort the owner, and be a building block for Duff and his team.
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