Sheffield Wednesday: Huddersfield Town can keep up title pace, says old-boy Jack Hunt

The start that Sheffield Wednesday's weekend opponents, Huddersfield Town, have had to this Championship campaign has had fans and pundits alike wondering if the Terriers will be any thing more than a flash in the pan.
Sheffield Wednesday full-back Jack HuntSheffield Wednesday full-back Jack Hunt
Sheffield Wednesday full-back Jack Hunt

An opening day win over Brentford, followed by victory in their next league game against promotion favouites Newcastle United raised some eyebrows and took Town to the top end of the fledgling table.

Since then there has been a wait to see when the slide would begin.

Jack Hunt in action for Huddersfield Town during the npower League One Play-Off Final at Old Trafford in 2011Jack Hunt in action for Huddersfield Town during the npower League One Play-Off Final at Old Trafford in 2011
Jack Hunt in action for Huddersfield Town during the npower League One Play-Off Final at Old Trafford in 2011

It hasn’t.

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Despite a couple of bumps along the way with defeats to Brighton and Reading - two other teams showing impressive early season form - Huddersfield maintain their place at the Championship’s summit after 11 games.

It remains to be seen if David Wagner’s side can maintain the level of success shown so far this campaign, but according to a Sheffield Wednesday player with more than a passing interest in the Terriers, it’s not inconceivable for Town to be at least pushing for a play-off spot towards the business end of the season.

Jack Hunt in action for Huddersfield Town during the npower League One Play-Off Final at Old Trafford in 2011Jack Hunt in action for Huddersfield Town during the npower League One Play-Off Final at Old Trafford in 2011
Jack Hunt in action for Huddersfield Town during the npower League One Play-Off Final at Old Trafford in 2011

Jack Hunt began his career at Huddersfield and is still in regular contact with some of the players at what has been a vociferously packed John Smith’s Stadium this year.

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And the Owls full back believes his old side are benefitting from the influence of Wagner who arrived in Yorkshire last November with his first match, incidentally, a -1 defeat to Wednesday at Hillsborough.

“You can’t hide anything and you have to give Town a lot of credit,” said Hunt “The manager has come in and had a full pre-season with them - after coming in last year.

“He has got his message across well and I still speak to a few lads there. They are really enjoying it there, so fair play to them, but we will be looking to take three points off them.

“You could say they are a (surprise package), they have started well and if they continue this run they will be right up there.

“They could make the top six, and even the top two. But this Championship is a marathon, not a sprint, and there’s a long way to go.”