The Game
Argyle v Huddersfield Town. Saturday, 21 March. 3pm. Sky Bet League One.
The Opposition
Huddersfield are seventh in League One, with 57 points from 38 games. They have won 16, drawn nine and lost 13. The Terriers started the season very strongly, winning four of their first five games. By the end of October, Huddersfield were ninth, having ended that month with a run of three straight defeats.
That ended with two 3-1 wins in a row, against Argyle and Mansfield Town, but the pattern of Huddersfield’s season has been feast or famine, in continuous blocks. They would be winless for the next five games, losing two and drawing three, and then won three in a row, beating Rotherham United, Port Vale and Northampton Town over Christmas.
The next bad run – two draws, two losses – cost Lee Grant his job. He was replaced by Liam Manning, who won his first three games in charge. There followed a home draw with Blackpool, and two away defeats, before Huddersfield beat Barnsley and Rotherham United, either side of a loss at Wigan Athletic.
Most recently, Town have drawn the last two games, 0-0 at Port Vale and 2-2 at home to Lincoln City.
The Gaffer
Liam Manning, 40, has had to take the long road to get to where he is today. His playing career did not set the world alight, having played the vast majority of his football in non-league. When he retired, Manning initially coached at Ipswich Town before being appointed Under-23s manager at West Ham United.
His next role came in the States, joining the City Football Group (CFG) and becoming both the director of coaching and academy director at New York City FC. Manning’s first experience of being a head coach came at fellow CFG side Lommel in 2020. After leading the Belgian side to a third-place finish, MK Dons came calling.
His side finished third in League One, with the Dons falling short in the play-offs. After a poor start to the following season, he was sacked, but shortly afterwards he joined Oxford United. After impressing once again, he left after just 29 games, for Bristol City.
During his only full campaign at Ashton Gate, Manning led the Robins to the play-offs, but fell short. This prompted a move to Norwich City, where he only lasted five months before facing the sack. After a few months out of the game, Manning pitched up at Huddersfield Town, where he has been tasked with returning the Terriers to the second tier.
The Squad
No-one has played more minutes than Ryan Ledson this season for Huddersfield. Making 35 starts, and one substitute appearance, Ledson has been a mainstay in the Terriers’ midfield. The 28-year-old signed from Preston North End in the summer, having spent seven years with them. Ledson has four goals this season.
Marcus Harness, 30, has three goals and six assists to his name this season. The versatile attacker has played in a number of positions, mostly as a ‘number 10’ and wide on the right. Harness played over 100 times for Portsmouth, and had three good years at Ipswich Town, before signing for Huddersfield. He also had a loan at Derby County.
Notably, in the January transfer window, Huddersfield signed former Pilgrims Bali Mumba (above) and Ryan Hardie. Mumba left Argyle to go to Huddersfield directly, having played 170 games, scoring nine goals for the Pilgrims. Hardie is on loan with the Terriers, having signed for Wrexham in the summer. He has two goals in four starts and two sub appearances. Mumba has played 12 times, and contributed two assists.
Earlier This Season
Argyle lost 3-1 at Huddersfield when the sides met earlier in the season. Huddersfield scored via Bojan Radulovic, Dion Charles and Cameron Ashia, with Lorent Tolaj getting a late one back for the Pilgrims.
Argyle TV
Argyle TV’s coverage will begin at 2pm, with Erin Black and Chris Hargreaves building up to the game, before commentary of the match comes from Charlie Price and Katie Middleton.
Match passes to watch this game on Argyle TV are available overseas. CLICK HERE for more information.
