Goals either side of half-time from Izzy Brown and Christopher Schindler saw Huddersfield to a comfortable victory over the Blues at the John Smith’s Stadium. Brown netted on 41 and Schindler 12 minutes after the break, while Town never looked getting back into the match once they had gone behind.

Jordan Spence was handed his Town debut, while Andre Dozzell, Kevin Bru and Freddie Sears all returned to the Blues line-up having been left out of the starting XI at Lincoln on Tuesday. Dean Gerken kept his place in goal with Bartosz Bialkowski unwell.

The Blues continued with their 3-5-2 system with skipper Luke Chambers in the centre at the back between Paul Digby on the right and Christophe Berra on the left.

New boy Spence was the right wing-back with Josh Emmanuel dropping to the bench. Jonas Knudsen continued on the left.

In midfield, Dozzell and Bru joined Cole Skuse with Jonathan Douglas and Grant Ward among the subs. Tom Lawrence started up front with Sears, who replaced Leon Best, who was left out of the 18.

Town’s other new signing Kieffer Moore was on the bench, alongside Tristan Nydam, who TWTD revealed was set to travel with the squad on Friday.

The 17-year-old midfielder was with the first-team squad for the first time for a competitive match, although having come on as a sub in the pre-season match at Cambridge, and was handed squad number 45. Michael Crowe was the sub keeper.

Huddersfield were without key midfielder Aaron Mooy, due to a back injury, while new German striker Collin Quaner's clearance didn’t come through in time for him to be involved.

The Blues, wearing their Barcelona-style third kit, started brightly and Lawrence curled a third minute freekick into the arms of Terriers keeper Danny Ward after he’d been fouled by Jonathan Hogg a couple of yards outside the area to the left.

The home side made a scruffy start but on 11 Elias Kachunga hit a low shot from the edge of the box which Gerken saved comfortably.

Huddersfield began to get their passing going and in the 15th minute Terriers skipper Tommy Smith crossed from the right and Gerken pushed Kachunga’s far post header onto the roof of the net.

On 21 Berra blocked a van La Parra strike after the Dutchman had cut in from the left, referee Andy Davies waving away ambitious appeals for a penalty. Soon after Kachunga headed Brown’s right-wing cross over from close range but with the linesman’s flag raised.

Huddersfield had been on top but up to then without being able to create many serious chances, but on the half hour Spence won the ball on the right and found Sears on the other flank with a raking pass. The former West Ham man brought the ball in on goal before hitting a shot which flew over Ward’s bar.

But the Terriers were still having most of the ball and on 34 van La Parra sent over a deep cross from the left but Kachunga’s header was too close to Gerken, who claimed.

On 37 Bru stole possession on the left and crossed to Lawrence, whose shot struck a Huddersfield player and deflected to Ward. The on-loan Leicester man appealed for a penalty but again referee Davies wasn’t interested.

A minute later, Huddersfield failed to deal with a Sears cross from the right and debutant Spence sent over a subsequent low ball from the same flank which flew across the six-yard box but with no Town player there to add the final touch.

Four minutes before the break Huddersfield went in front. Brown took a ball in to feet midway inside the Town half, turning Dozzell as he did so. The on-loan Chelsea man then brought the ball forward unchallenged before planting a 20-yard strike past Gerken.

The home side deserved their lead at half-time having been the better side having taken charge after a sluggish start, although without ever dominating in the manner that they have on occasion this season.

Prior to the goal, there hadn’t been too many clear-cut chances but Brown, who was on loan with Rotherham until earlier in the month, grabbed his first Huddersfield goal with great confidence.

The Blues had had a couple of opportunities, mainly on the break, but nothing clear-cut and an improvement was required in the second half if they were to avoid an already thoroughly disappointing week ending with another defeat.

Dozzell, who had been largely peripheral in the first half, was replaced by Douglas at the break, the announcement of the change provoking boos from the visiting support.

The second half began much as the first had ended and on 57 the Terriers doubled their lead. After Chris Löwe’s freekick - Bru had been booked for the foul which led to it - had initially been cleared, Philip Billing hit a powerful shot from the left of the area which Gerken blocked down to his left but the ball was pushed back into the danger zone and Schindler slammed into the roof of the net.

It was the German defender’s first goal at the John Smith’s Stadium but his second against Town, his header having won the game between the teams at Portman Road earlier in the season.

The Blues now had a mountain to climb but almost immediately Spence broke away dangerously down the right. However, his cross-shot flew past the post and was too far in front of any of his team-mates.

But aside from that Town were looking unlikely to get back in the game and in the 67th minute Spence was replaced by the afternoon’s second Blues debutant, Kieffer Moore, as Mick McCarthy switched his side to 4-3-3.

A minute later Huddersfield weren’t far from a third when Löwe crossed from the left and Kachunga headed wide at the far post.

The Terriers continued to look the more likely scorers, van La Parra shooting wide from inside the area before Douglas was yellow-carded for a foul on Brown. On 74 Brett Pitman replaced Bru as the Blues threw everything forward.

Huddersfield replaced their first goalscorer Brown in the 76th minute with Joe Lolley taking over.

After Berra had headed a Lawrence corner wide at the far post, the Terriers should have added to their lead when an 81st minute cross from the left found Michael Hefele in space in the area but the defender waved a foot at it and failed to make contact.

A minute later, Blues striker Moore turned and hit a low shot through to Terriers keeper Ward, who had had a very quiet half. Soon afterwards, Lawrence frustratedly smashed the ball away having been adjudged to have fouled Billing and was booked as a result.

The Blues continued to unconvincingly look for a goal in injury time but a comeback had never looked on the cards once the Terriers had gone two in front. Late on, van La Parra screwed a shot well wide as Huddersfield broke having defended a brief spell of Town pressure.

Moments later, referee Davies confirmed what was a very routine win for the Terriers, who were the better side once they had got over a sluggish start.

The Blues were in the game at 0-0 but once the home side had gone in front and then added to their lead a turnaround never looked likely with Town looking thoroughly bereft of confidence and belief following Tuesday's embarrassing FA Cup exit at Lincoln.

Huddersfield didn't ever really need to get into top gear and showed few signs of missing the injured Mooy.

The defeat means the Blues have gone 23 league games without repeating the same result in successive matches - since they drew with Wolves and then Norwich in August - beating the previous club record of 22 established in 1965/66.

The Blues stay 14th in the table ahead of next week's trip to Preston, who are 10th following their 2-2 draw at Aston Villa this afternoon.

Huddersfield: Ward, Smith (c), Hefele, Schindler, Löwe, Hogg (Whitehead 85), Billing, Kachunga, Van La Parra, Brown (Lolley 76), Wells (Hudson 90). Coleman, Bunn, Cranie, Stankovic.

Town: Gerken, Spence (Moore 67), Digby, Chambers (c), Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Bru (Pitman 73), Dozzell (Douglas 46), Lawrence, Sears. Subs: Crowe, Emmanuel, Nydam, Ward, Moore, Pitman. Referee: Andy Davies (Hampshire). Att: 19,113 (Town: 695).

Photo: Action Images

Gazelle added 10:12 - Jan 22 Stop and think those who want MM out. I don't think the best manager in the world would succeed given all the injuries we've got and with no money to spend.
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martin587 added 10:21 - Jan 22 Gazelle, I don't think you can blame it all on injuries,do you.!And MM is well aware there is little money to spend. Tactics and team selection are a big factor here,need I say more.You may well disagree,fair enough.
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bluemike1969 added 10:29 - Jan 22 My club....our club....is dying and no one in ownership and management seems to care. Same old media bullsh*t from McCarthy. No wonder everyone is angry and supporters are having a go at each other. Rumour is that McCarthy didn't travel back on the team bus. This could mean either that Evans wanted to speak to him after the game as he walked out before the end or that his own team didn't want him on the coach with them (well, would you want him anywhere near you?). It is time for a change now, Butcher on a short term till the end of the season maybe? All I know is that in my 40+ years of following the town, I don't remember a lower point. A new manager WILL lift spirits, supporters and team and hopefully get the fighting spirit back we had under Burley and Magilton. Guys.....most of us are pi**ed off with McCarthys crap. The ' they are a good team' quote is wearing thin. WE were a good team. WE will be a good team again but under bed guidance.

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grubbyoik added 10:31 - Jan 22 There are plenty of managers who have less of a budget than Mcarthy and manage to play attractive successful football... Lincoln out thought.. out fought us on less money than Mcarthy has in his pocket..
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bluemike1969 added 10:31 - Jan 22 Sorry.....New guidance.
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Cloddyseedbed added 10:39 - Jan 22 The club is in the worst condition I have ever seen it since the 60's. The owner hasn't a clue how to run a football club, neither has his sidekick Milne. Numerous club spokesmen have been tried and failed to engage with the supporters. The clubs debt is going up at an alarming rate owed to and overseen by the owner. The playing staff are at best poor, apart from about 2 and one of them we don't own. The manager has been responsible for the players he has brought in and the tactics, (or lack of them) coaching, team selection and substitutions have been mistifying to say the least. We need better quality players, we are told we can't afford them. We need better management, we are told there isn't a better manager out there. We need a owner who has money to invest and will invest like the other small clubs our size, but the debt hanging over our head makes that impossible. Everybody wonders why the fans are not happy and have turned on the manager, the whole club is in ruins and it is the owner who has overseen everything. We are told to be grateful as he is the one keeping the club afloat and paying the wages. The owner then rewards the supporters by putting the season tickets up last year and making us put up with performances which are shocking and will not change under this regime. Without supporters you have no club. Do I like or trust the owner of ITFC, no not one bit.

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grumpyoldman added 10:59 - Jan 22 Please will people stop overreacting to Swn98, do not call him names, he seems to feed off it, mark him down by all means but do not react in other ways. A wise man once said "Do not argue with an idiot, you cannot win, you end up on their level and they are more experienced there than you are".
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superblue70 added 11:10 - Jan 22 I thought it was ostrichs that buried there heads not gazelles
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Swn98 added 11:15 - Jan 22 Spanishblueblood as long as I get up the nose of people like you I shall keep on posting thank you very much. Idiot have a look in the mirror old chap.
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Swn98 added 12:08 - Jan 22 What a wonderful place the news site is you can have an opinion as long as you agree with us some animals are equal it's just that some are more equal than others long live George Orwell
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Bergholtblue added 13:03 - Jan 22 It is time for McCarthy to leave. He steadied the ship for us and put us back on the straight and narrow but now he has taken us as far as he can and we are in danger in sinking back into the mire. But who do we get in to replace him? "We want a young manager who plays exciting football and brings the youngsters on!" I wholeheartedly agree but who is available? None spring to mind who are out of a job and are we in a position to prise anyone from their current employment? Gary Rowett has been mentioned many times. Yes, a manager that did well at Birmingham with limited resources but was their brand of football any better than ours? They were winning more than we were when he was sacked but was their style more attractive or just more effective? "Darrell Clarke and Marcus Stewart at Bristol Rovers would be good" someone posted. Two promotions in two years and holding their own in League 1, plus a fans ex-favourite. This would seem an ideal ticket. However, do a Harry from Bath and delve into their fanzines and there are comments like " His team selection is so predictable", "Why doesn't he play the new signings, are they no better than the ones we already have", "Another away defeat, he only sets his team out not to lose". Sounds all so similar doesn't it. Look also at Evan's record. Get rid of McCarthy now and we would more than likely end up with a Nigel Pearson, Alan Pardew or a Harry Redknapp than an exciting new talent. So be careful what you wish for. The likes of Blackpool, Portsmouth, Coventry, Bolton have show that it is not all down to the manager but lack of investment/interest from the Chairman and Board that can put the club in real trouble. That's why ME must go too (and take his cronies with him).

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Hegansheroes added 13:14 - Jan 22 Oh Dear Swn98 is now trying to show how intelligent he is because he has read Animal Farm by Orwell, not the author's real name by the way, he took it after spending some time in Suffolk. The reality is where ever MM has managed the fans have turned on him due to his appalling tactics or rather lack of tactics apart from the antiquated hoofball. Nothing wrong with long ball, we did have one of the best ever exponents in Muhren but it wasn't an aimless punt upfield. What really wrankles fans is the arrogance of the man and the fact he thinks he is actually a good manager. I now am more likely to watch Leiston as I always have a good day out, see some decent football and come away having been entertained, win, lose or draw

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corfu72 added 13:37 - Jan 22 Swn98, Why don't you have respect for other posters.You just revert to insulting people all the time.Calling people idiots,and martyr's is not right. People would have a great deal more respect towards you if you answered with a sensible reply.Insults are the lowest form of intelligence,don't you think.!!
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Pessimistic added 13:51 - Jan 22 I enjoyed reading the remarks from renoble and hr is spot on with his observations. I think the arrogance of Mick McCarthy is staggering and he is becoming or has become the Donald Trump of football management. Arrogant and detached from reality clearly sums him up.
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Facefacts added 14:19 - Jan 22 A lttle tired after all that driving yesterday and will do ratings and a report later but just wanted to congratulate Jordan Spence on his debut. I think he is a cut above Josh Emmanuel on that performance. Hopefully there is a way of finding places for both in the team.
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Swn98 added 14:38 - Jan 22 Seaside blue I don't recall calling anybody a Martyr or calling anybody an idiot only in one case to defend my good character having been called an idiot so insults from me are I believe are wide of the mark. FYI perhaps people don't like my opinion that's up to them I will reiterate my points Team starved of investment decimated by injuries doesn't equal all the fault of the coaches yes some strange decisions he must have reasons for making them though. The underlining tone of most of the posters on the news site is that he does it annoy the fans is clear rubbish,finally to be called a scummer ,Mrs Mccarthy and Mccarthys bastard son I think you should be aiming your criticism at others if you want to be the judge of moral standards

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martin587 added 14:57 - Jan 22 Swn98, You called me a martyr on these pages and also somebody else and idiot.Think before you post.The post was to ask you to curb your language,nothing more.
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warktheline added 15:02 - Jan 22 @swn, sorry I'm withdrawing my offer! Taxi for McCarthy still stands! Since your return I must admit, my sons, and I, haven't laughed so much! Keep up the 'good' work!!!!!😂😂😂
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superblue70 added 15:27 - Jan 22 Swn is your love for MM out of empathy? Let's face it you both speak total rubbish in equal measures and are equally hated by most on these pages, you also believe all you say to be the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth SO HELP US GOD. let's hope when one useless fool leaves so do you.
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Swn98 added 15:39 - Jan 22 The person in question had called me an idiot so I replied to his insult of me I used the word Martyr in context of your post by the way when has the word martyr been rude or insulting ?
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muhrenmagic added 16:40 - Jan 22 Mr Evans, I do hope that you have questioned Micks tactics and not escaped the reality that you are directing a vortex down the plug hole. I really do not trust the leadership including MM, why? when the season ticket renewals were being considered did we not have a sales pitch of younger players being used as in the last couple of games and a promise that they will be introduced more and more.The promise and offers of players that were never ever going to be signed as is the case again now with Ward from Rotherham all simply lies and deception. Soon that same sales pitch will be repeated for 2017/18 season. A close wise older friend whom has been a fantastic supporter and shareholder for many many years has turned his back on the club management on and off the pitch. He has refused to attend since last Christmas when it became clear to numerous fans that there was no Intetion to play FOOTball. Whilst the menu is bland and testeless he refuses to return. Not fickle, he can afford to renew he does not want to support the management that promotes poor business decisions and poor football displays. He is one of many fans not wanting to be enticed into demonstrations or negative noises from the stands to the players. They have simply walked away from the turnstile in there only way of administering there discontent. Will I renew? The sense of community in our area of sitting is becoming more sparse at each home game.The atmosphere of community been the only reason for renewing this season, so for next season? Without ambition to play FOOTball and further loss of bums on seats in our section of the Cobbold stand, the spark to renew will be extinguished. Waiting for a relighting when the menu has been changed. Who to own.No one can speculate. As for the McCarthy there are some very eligible names in the lower leagues and those with premiership experience currently available.

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Pip50 added 16:47 - Jan 22 Swn98 don't rise to it your opinion is sound. Little investment poor youth policy an owner lacking any real ambition gives McCarthy a terribly dealt hand. Yes he hasn't helped but one could argue our friends up the road with their £m's aren't doing much better with their manager, what would our Mick do with that budget. Neither of the past 2 mangers improved our status and the next won't either under the current regime! Sent from my iPad

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warktheline added 17:23 - Jan 22 Pip50, the first 2 years under McCarthy the man managed to starve of relegation and followed that up with a play off spot. I tagged that team 'ragtag' and rightly so. McCarthy accepted no 'milky' performances and never suffered fools! Nobody was guaranteed a starting place in team. 2 defeats on the bounce was a 'no no'. Compare that manager to today's, regardless of 'outside' influence he's gone soft on a core of players. He's also now extremely complacent, and that's reflected by the club going backwards. Where's the progression? These injuries I keep hearing hindering McCarthy, really don't add up, considering the vast majority of the players injured have been lads McCarthy been reluctant to play! Fast forward to yesterday's substitutions, Dozzell I grant you wasn't at his best, but a creative player he is, thus why oh why was he replaced by a man, who incidentally, statistically hinders results, when we were chasing the game? I could go on and on!!!!!!!!!

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Seasider added 17:40 - Jan 22 Muhrenmagic.Like you have enjoyed the sense of community(especially in Legends).Unfortunately two of our long standing season ticket holders did not renew this season because of McCarthy mainly,and I know there are many others.Often the most enjoyable part is the pre match drink! Martin587 and seaside blues,think this is the first time have commented on another poster;but like you note that Swn98 rarely comments on gameand seems to spend most of the time endeavouring to belittle others,which at times provokes an angry response. I will not be drawn so need not bother to respond as I have better things to do. However note that he/she lives 90 miles away,this is a similar distance to Mr McCarthy's home,could it be?Just saying lol!!!

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Swn98 added 17:54 - Jan 22 I rest my case Seaside you can't practice what you preach.
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