htafc.com caught up with manager Stan Ternent ahead of this weekend's game at Swindon Town and he told us that if his side play to their capabilities, they can beat anybody in League One.
The former Burnley boss has had a timely boost ahead of Saturday's game with Gary Roberts' red card, picked up against Darlington in midweek, being rescinded by the FA Disciplinary panel - meaning the livewire winger is now available for the clash at the County Ground.
"I don't appeal lightly, but I certainly felt we had a case," Stan said of the successful appeal. "Robbo has gone to clear the ball and their lad slid in, so it certainly wasn't intentional. The other thing was that the ball went forward as well and there was no serious injury - in fact, I'd be surprised if their lad isn't playing on Saturday."
The last month has seen a series of good performances against some of the better teams in the division and Ternent admitted he was pleased with his side - stating that their points haul does not reflect their form on the pitch.
"We played very well against Northampton and won 3-2; we went to Oldham and played very well there; the lads played very well against Leicester and were a little unlucky and I thought they did very well with ten men during the week. Unfortunately the breaks are just not going our way at the moment, but if they keep performing like that it will turn.
"If we play to our capabilities, I think we can beat anybody. I just think they need the rub of the green - a bit of lady luck. I'm quite happy with the way they are going, but the obvious downside is that we haven't picked up as many points as we would have liked. That will change.
"We've played a fifth of the season and have got an even break, with nine points from nine games. As I've said on many occasions, because of what has happened at the Club and the expectation level people look at it differently. My view is that the lads have played very well, that they are working hard in training and that they are a good set of players. If I can get my full team out, I don't think there are many better than us in this division.
"Leeds and Leicester have a financial capability that is greater than most in this division and Oldham and Scunthorpe have had a good start, but the season is still very young. It certainly isn't beyond the realms of possibility for Huddersfield to get promoted and I still maintain that we can get in the Play-Offs. We could still get automatic as well, because in this division you'll find that sides will go on a run of five or six games and our time will come.
"In an ideal world, you would aim for two points a game - then you would be guaranteed promotion. However, people also look at other targets like reaching the number of points that will keep you in the division as quickly as possible, then the number of points you need to get in the Play-Offs and then you'd look at the points you need for automatic promotion.
"I normally work in six game cycles and the first six weren't where we wanted to be, which I half expected anyway given the new influx of players and the time it would take for the lads to get used to me and me to them.
"As for the second six, I was disappointed with the unfortunate manner of the defeat against Leicester; that was hard for the players to take. However, we won the first game of the six against Northampton and we drew at Oldham, so we've got four points. We were fairly close to target and now we have another three games, so we'll always aim for 12 points from six matches.
"In one cycle you might get 18 points and in another you might get six, so we'll review it around Christmas time and it should even itself out. No team we have played has taken my breath away, although Leicester were a well organised side and Oldham and Scunthorpe are doing well at the moment. I think Huddersfield certainly have a squad of players who are good enough.
"I think our League position is a concern to the players, because they are aware of the expectation level. The only things that have really changed is that the season tickets are cheaper, so the crowd has increased and we've brought a few players in; the basis of the team is still the same and if anything, we are stronger than we were last year. It obviously will take a while for them to gel, but whatever you do you need a little rub of the green; people say you make your own luck and maybe that's true, but I have to say that I don't think the lads have had many breaks this season.
"The fans have been fantastic and all they want is to see their side having a good go. I think they have seen that. We never make it easy for ourselves - we were beating Northampton comfortably at 3-1, but then we give away a late goal. Then at Oldham we should have won, but nevertheless we put on a good show and I think the fans appreciated that and last Saturday they applauded the players off, so we're certainly going in the right direction. If I had a magic wand, I would just give them that little rub of the green.
"There are certainly a lot of things we can improve on, but that takes time and we will improve as we go. I'm happy with the attitude of the lads; they are a good set of lads and they care, which is the most important thing."
With Roberts back in the travelling squad, Ternent only has a few injury problems ahead of Saturday's game.
"Boothy went with Sos (Ian Liversedge) yesterday to see Jim Doyle, the consultant orthopaedic guy, for a scan as he's still getting pain in his back and we need to find out what needs to be done. Ian Craney won't be fit to play, but we'll take him with us so that he can receive some treatment - he's got a second degree hamstring tear. We think he'll have a chance for a week on Saturday. Liam has got a tight hamstring but was ok in training yesterday, but we'll have an idea when we train down south later today."
You can still get your ticket for Swindon by calling the Galpharm Ticket Office on 0870 44 44 552!
