This weekend sees ourselves head into another massive game that we cannot afford to lose especially considering having only gained one point from the last three games.
During our early season struggles, Huddersfield were struggling alongside us and have tried to recover their situation. The Terriers currently sit 18th in the table and one point off the foot of the table. As for us, we are three points off the relegation zone with Crystal Palace and Burnley sandwiched in between.
Some fans are understandably labelling this match as a must win in what is going to be one of the shortest away trips our fans will make this season.
It is funny how the #RafaOut supporters have been keeping quiet of late. Following a perfect November, Rafa the gaffer has won the manager of the month award for the three wins against Watford, Bournemouth and Burnley. The job, however, is not done. A crucial rest of the month and Christmas period awaits where the players will need to be on top of their game.
Facts and Figures
All Competitions
Newcastle wins: 27
Huddersfield wins: 22
Draws: 15
Top Flight
Newcastle wins: 20
Huddersfield wins: 17
Draws: 11
Top Flight at Huddersfield
Newcastle wins: 10
Huddersfield wins: 9
Draws: 5
Previous ten (all competitions)
Newcastle wins: 4 (17 goals)
Draws: 4
Huddersfield wins: 2 (12 goals)
Biggest win: Huddersfield 2 - 6 Newcastle United (12/11/1955)
Biggest defeat: Huddersfield 4 - 0 Newcastle United (11/02/1933)
Biggest aggregate win: Newcastle United 10 - 4 Huddersfield (4-2 and 6-2) (1951/52 season)
Biggest aggregate defeat: Newcastle United 0 - 8 Huddersfield (0-4 and 0-4) (1932/33 season)
Memory Lane
Huddersfield Town 1 - 3 Newcastle United (04/03/2017 - Championship)
A week that was incredibly important in achieving an immediate promotion back to the Premier League having come from behind to beat Brighton four days before this fixture. The two wins against the two sides who were hot on our tails placed the team in a great position and, of course, we still managed to win the Championship despite struggling times in March and April which saw Brighton confirm their promotion the week before ours.
Out of the starting eleven in this match against Huddersfield 21 months ago, only two players have officially left the club and that is veteran striker, Daryl Murphy and versatile player, Vurnon Anita. As great as it was that a lot of this team finished in 10th place in last season's Premier League, it still shows that there is some truth when fans state that the squad is still of a Championship quality.
Karl Darlow:
Vurnon Anita:
Jamaal Lascelles:
Ciaran Clark: Clark was the one who provided the clearance turned assist in the last minute when the Terriers were piling on the pressure in search of an equaliser. Clark's clearance which landed in the Huddersfield half was misjudged by the goalkeeper which allowed Dwight Gayle in to wrap up the crucial three points.
Paul Dummett:
Christian Atsu:
Jonjo Shelvey: This was one of the many games that season where Shelvey was right at the heart of the promising attacking moves. The midfielder played a key part in the game's first two goals. However he did foul Elias Kachunga which gave away a penalty which Aaron Mooy scored to allow Huddersfield a route back into the game.
Jack Colback:
Matt Ritchie: The winger was brought down by Nahki Wells in the box and picked himself up to successfully convert the resulting penalty right in front of the travelling fans.
Mohamed Diame:
Daryl Murphy: The Irishman doubled the lead after 32 minutes. Jonjo Shelvey's long ball presented Murphy with a chance. After a slight scuffle with the goalkeeper, Murphy came out with the ball and scored from a tight angle which managed to beat the recovering defender on the line. He later came off for Dwight Gayle, who was rebuilding his match fitness, halfway through the second half and the substitute wrapped the match up with a header from outside the box.