Huddersfield Town defender Nigel Lonwijk anticipates that every match in their League One campaign will be a “very difficult game” as they prepare to face Northampton Town.
The Terriers will host the Cobblers at the John Smith’s Stadium tomorrow at 3pm, aiming to build on their strong start to the season.
Michael Duff’s squad has accumulated 12 points from their first five League One matches, achieving victories against Peterborough United, Stevenage, Shrewsbury Town, and Bolton Wanderers, with a single 2-1 loss to Rotherham United being their only setback.
Following an impressive 4-0 win against Bolton, Lonwijk emphasizes the need to treat every match as a challenge. “I don’t think any game in League One will be easy,” said the Wolves loanee. “Each match is tough, and expectations can be misleading. We approach this like any other game, aiming to perform our best and secure a win.”
Lonwijk hopes to establish control against their upcoming opponents, stating, “I want us to dominate the game, maintain possession, create numerous chances, and ideally score early to take charge.”
With their strong start, Town currently sits fourth in the league, just one point shy of the top. Following their relegation from the Championship, the Terriers are determined to achieve an immediate return, and Lonwijk is keen to add another League One promotion to his resume after being part of Plymouth Argyle’s title-winning squad in 2022/23.
“Everyone recognized early on that we mean business this season. We had a good start, and although we lost a game, it didn’t shake our confidence. We went into the match against Bolton determined to win, and we succeeded,” Lonwijk said. “This is a significant club that deserves to be in the Championship. I came here to help us return to that level.”
He stresses the importance of consistency, noting that each game is distinct and the goal is to accumulate points. “If you start strong and maintain consistency, you should do well. Once the team finds a good rhythm and everyone is feeling positive, winning games becomes easier.”
Since joining on loan at the end of the transfer window, Lonwijk has started all three matches for the Terriers against Rotherham, Doncaster Rovers, and Bolton. He is pleased with how he has integrated into the defense. “I think things are going very well. We’re becoming more familiar with each other through training and teamwork,” he shared.
Effective communication is key to building defensive partnerships, according to Lonwijk. “It’s essential to talk about our strategies and identify areas for improvement. Everyone must communicate and support one another whenever possible.”
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