Barnsley head coach Darrell Clarke is confident that former Reds boss Michael Duff will eventually “get it right” at Huddersfield Town, but he hopes to add to Duff’s challenging autumn with a win this afternoon.
Duff’s Huddersfield side enters today’s Yorkshire derby on the back of a difficult spell, having lost seven of their last eight matches in all competitions. Their recent home performances, especially against Blackpool and Northampton Town, have been particularly concerning.
Clarke, while dealing with his own challenges at Barnsley, has seen his side perform well on the road, winning three of their four league away games so far. Given Duff’s departure from Oakwell in June 2023, a sell-out Barnsley crowd would relish the opportunity to worsen Duff’s situation.
Clarke said: “I am close to ‘Duffy’. He’s a good lad and we speak two or three times a season. I said we’d get together and have a pint in the not too distant future. He’s someone I respect and have a lot of time for.
“Same as myself, he’s got a good talented squad. He will get it right, of that I’ve no doubt. But he’s searching for answers like we are at times to get consistency to our performances.
“We all know each other well, but the pleasantries will be saved until after the game. We are all winners and Huddersfield are as well.”
After winning their opening four matches of the season in league and cup, Town have triumphed just once since August 24 to exacerbate the disgruntlement among a fanbase still sore after an insipid relegation campaign last term.
Duff emphasizes that there is no quick fix, but stresses the importance of unity among players and staff during challenging times. He remarked:
“We told the players that the club has undergone a complete rebranding with a major slogan saying ‘Everything Together’. You can’t fall apart after just a month—that goes for the players and staff alike. It’s easy when everything’s positive in preseason, but we can’t let things unravel after four weeks. We need to stay united.
“Everyone experiences highs and lows, and right now, we’re in a low, no question. But you can’t just wait for results to come; you have to go out and get one. Footballers thrive on confidence. When it clicks, they run faster, jump higher, and every shot goes in. We’re not at that point right now, so staying calm is key. Relationships have been good, but we need to win games.”
Ahead of his first meeting with his former club since joining Swansea City, plenty has been made of the “Duff factor.” The manager acknowledged that he may have made a mistake by moving to Wales in June 2023, but he’s more focused on the task at hand than the reception he might get from fans.
Speaking on the Yorkshire derby, he added:
“It’s not about me—it’s about whether my team can beat Darrell’s team. It’s two clubs that want to be in the league above. Darrell’s a good guy, and I know many of the staff there. Regardless of the result, we’ll have a beer after the game. But both teams are desperate for a win.”
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