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JACOB CHAPMAN EAGER TO KEEP LEARNING

9 February 2021

Goalkeeper on his drive to always improve

- Jacob Chapman discusses his development
- Young Terrier enjoying training with the First Team
- Follow Academy Twitter; @htafcacademy

Huddersfield Town goalkeeper Jacob Chapman is determined to keep improving his game and making the most of the opportunities that come his way.

This campaign has been different for the Young Terrier for a number of reasons, including an unfortunate string of injuries.

He spoke to htafc.com about how he was still able to grow as a ‘keeper despite being forced away from the net.

“It’s been different for me. I’ve been injured three times and I’ve kind of never had injuries before.

“It’s been a season where I’ve had to show resilience and come back from those injuries.

“I was lucky enough to play for the First Team in preseason, I had two appearances there.

“So, while it’s been a little bit frustrating at times with the injuries, I’ve still taken quite a lot from the season so far.

“I’m always learning whether that’s from training with the First Team a lot or now that I’m getting back into playing.

“Playing games is so important, so it’s been good to be out there, and I’ve got my fingers crossed that I don’t get injured again and I can finish the season strong.”

The 20-year-old was quick to comment on how being able to train with the First Team has helped benefit his development.

“With the quality of the First Team – both the coaches and the players – it’s helped me a lot.

“You’re playing with players that have played at the top level, have played in the Premier League and played hundreds of games - being able to train with players like that and with really experienced goalkeepers has helped me develop a lot and get better at a lot of things within my goalkeeping.

“Paul Clements and Neil Bennett have really helped me.

“Carlos wants you to be really good at playing out from the back and using passes that I wasn’t really used to at first, so I’ve been focusing a lot on that.

“I’m also not the tallest goalkeeper, so I need to be really quick and explosive.

“There’ll always be lots of little things that I’m working on in training and trying to improve, because there’s always room to be better.

“I make sure to keep focusing on the things I think I’m good at as well.”

When it comes to matches Chapman is always one of the loudest on the pitch, something he admits comes naturally.

“My dad is massive on me being a leader and has been ever since I turned into a goalkeeper when I was 10.

“Sometimes I might be having a quiet game, but I need to communicate with my players and so I still do a lot of work in that sense.

“Obviously I can see the whole game from my position, so I need to make sure I’m always telling my players what to do and where to be, so I think it’s very important that I’m the loudest, if not one of the loudest, on the pitch.

“Despite it coming naturally to me, I have been working on little things like not saying too much and being clearer with what I’m saying.”

The keeper also took the time to reflect on how far he’s come in the last year.

“I feel I’ve improved a lot.

“I think training with the First Team alone, getting to train with some great goalkeepers and some great coaches has benefited me a lot.

“I’m a lot better at being fast and being explosive and I’m showing that in my games now.

“I made a save recently against Salford, which was a good example of moving my feet, but as much as I feel like I have improved, there’s still a lot to improve on.

“I feel like I’m headed in the right direction now, I just need to keep my head down, keep going and opportunities will come.”

You can keep up-to-date with the progress of Jacob and his teammates by following Town’s official Academy Twitter; @htafcacademy.

Match Reports

REPORT: FLEETWOOD TOWN 5-0 TOWN U19s

10 February 2021

Town’s U19s beaten by strong Fleetwood Town side

- Huddersfield Town U19s given tough test against Fleetwood Town
- Young Terriers beaten 5-0 at Poolfoot Farm
- U19s back in action on Wednesday 17 February 2021

Huddersfield Town U19s were beaten 5-0 by a strong Fleetwood Town outfit at Poolfoot Farm Training Complex in Lancashire on Wednesday afternoon.

An excellently dispatched free-kick by former Rangers and on-loan Swansea City winger Barrie McKay and a volley by Jed Garner were the difference at half-time.

Jon Worthington’s Young Terriers worked hard to half the deficit in the early exchanges of the second half, but ultimately the strength of the Fleetwood side proved decisive as the hosts scored twice in quick succession later in the half before adding a fifth late on.

The first chance of the half fell to the hosts as centre-back Luke Daley’s attempted switch was intercepted by Garner, who advanced into Town’s 18-yard box. Daley made up for his earlier mistake, however, winning back possession with a perfectly timed sliding challenge to deny the Fleetwood centre-forward.

Town then manufactured their first opportunity of the half when a turnover in possession in the final third saw captain Micah Obiero feed Kit Elliott. The striker’s effort from the edge of the area forced a smart stop out of former Town goalkeeper Joel Coleman.

Fleetwood would have taken the lead but for the tenacity and awareness of right-back Ilounga Pata. Onrushing Town goalkeeper Nicholas Bilokapic’s misjudged clearance saw the home side bear down on goal, but with Garner alongside him the forward opted to shoot and Pata was in the right place at the right time to block on the line.

The hosts claimed the advantage in the 28th minute courtesy of a perfect free-kick by McKay. The Scottish international - who made over 100 appearances for Rangers between 2012 and 2017 prior to playing in the EFL - curled in off the post, leaving Bilokapic rooted to the spot.

The Cod Army doubled their lead six minutes later through an emphatic volley by Garner. A miscued effort from a low cut-back looped up invitingly towards the striker who ferociously volleyed into the roof of the net.

The Young Terriers worked hard to get back into the game following the restart and created a chance to half the arrears after a spell of possession. Winger Donay O’Brien-Brady fed Elliott who manipulated the ball through to Obiero with a clever backheel, but the midfielder’s shot across goal was saved by Coleman.

Any chance of a Town comeback was put to bed when the hosts added their third and fourth goals two minutes apart in the 69th and 71st minute respectively. First, Harrison Buggins curled into the top right from distance before Garner netted his second of the afternoon from close range.

Second-half substitute Shayden Morris added a fifth three minutes from time to round off a difficult afternoon on the road for Town’s youngsters.

Huddersfield Town U19s (4-3-3)

Nicholas Bilokapic; Jaheim Headley, Luke Daley, Nassim Kherbouche, Ilounga Pata; Ernaldo Krasniqi, Brodie Spencer, Micah Obiero (c) (Evander Grubb, 82’); Donay O’Brien-Brady (Conor Falls, 65’), Kit Elliott, Will McCamley (Josh Okpolokpo, 78’)

Unused subs

Michael Roxburgh

Final score

Fleetwood Town 5-0 Huddersfield Town U19s