Preston North End’s opponents look to Carlos Corberán to guide them to success

Who remembers Preston North End’s last visit to Huddersfield in July?
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The answer is probably no one, given it was the dullest of 0-0 draws at the John Smith’s Stadium.

At the time, the Terriers were inching closer to safety and North End went there on the back of two home defeats, determined not to lose.

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Fast forward the clock three months and the sides meet again on Saturday in West Yorkshire.

Huddersfield Town’s Josh Koroma during the midweek win over Derby CountyHuddersfield Town’s Josh Koroma during the midweek win over Derby County
Huddersfield Town’s Josh Koroma during the midweek win over Derby County

Expect a different type of game this time from the bore draw in the summer.

Huddersfield are under a new head coach in the shape of Carlos Corberán.

The Spaniard used to work on Marcelo Bielsea’s coaching staff at Leeds, helping them to reach the Premier League.

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He has flown the Leeds nest to head a few junctions back along the M62 and see if he can guide Huddersfield to the top flight.

After a slightly stuttering start, Corberán is starting to get his message over.

The 37-year-old lost his first three competitive games in charge, a 1-0 reverse in the Carabao Cup to Rochdale and league defeats to Norwich and Brentford.

Huddersfield have taken 10 points from the last 12 on offer, wins against Nottingham Forest, Swansea and Derby, together with a draw at Rotherham.

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It is a good run to say the least, Juninho Bacuna netting to see off Derby 1-0 on Tuesday evening.

The lasted win delighted Corberán, who said: “It was a very tough game.

“We knew we’d play against an opponent with a lot of quality in the higher part of the team.

“They pressed us very well and this stopped the options we had to break the press and to attack better.

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“We started the game well, but after they pressed and we made some mistakes, they started to gain more confidence from this. We weren’t able to find free spaces. We improved this in the second half.

“The attacking play of the team wasn’t brilliant, but what was brilliant was the effort of the players until the end.

“The most important thing for me is the spirit that this team is showing now, you need this spirit to compete in games.”

Huddersfield lost Karlan Grant ahead of the transfer deadline, the striker joining West Bromwich Albion for a £16m fee.

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Grant hit 19 goals last season and naturally will be missed by them.

Other outgoing business included defender Terence Kongolo joining Fulham for a shade under £4m and Elias Kachunga going to Sheffield Wednesday on a Bosman.

On the incoming front, Huddersfield have done business domestically and from Spain.

Striker Danny Ward came from Cardiff and defender Naby Carl was recruited from Charlton Athletic.

They cast their net to Spain to sign Fuenlabrada midfielder Alex Vallejo and right-back Pipa from Gimnastic.