Season Review: Huddersfield beat the odds to avoid the drop

Huddersfield were the bookies favourites to get relegated at the start of the season but David Wagner’s side secured their top-flight status with one game remaining after holding Chelsea to a draw at Stamford Bridge.

Despite facing Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal in their last three games of the season, the Terriers only fell to defeat on one occasion and that was against the Gunners when they had nothing left to play for.

They ended up four points clear of the bottom three and will now try to keep hold of Wagner over the summer and build on this season’s success. No team scored fewer goals in the Premier League than Huddersfield this season (28), which will be a cause for concern.

SUCCESS – AARON MOOY

The big success of Huddersfield’s summer was prising Aaron Mooy away from Manchester City on a permanent deal.

Mooy has been immense for Huddersfield this season, as he was in their promotion-winning campaign last term.

The Australia international played a direct hand in 25% of Huddersfield’s goals in the Premier League this season (four goals, three assists).

Not only that, but the 27-year-old also averaged 2.8 tackles per game, highlighting his importance when Huddersfield didn’t have the ball.

Losing Mooy this summer would be a real blow to Huddersfield’s chances of beating the drop next season, although there has been no indication that will happen.

FLOP – TOM INCE

There has generally been a lot of hype around Tom Ince but he has never come close to cutting it at the top level and I wouldn’t be surprised if Huddersfield sold him in the summer.

The 26-year-old, who has previously been linked with a move to Inter, only managed two goals in 33 league appearances this season and failed to register a single assist.

Ince was not shy in pulling the trigger, but a conversation rate of just 2.9% suggests he would be better served shifting the ball on to another team-mate.

Wagner’s decision to sign Alex Pritchard in January would at least suggests he has reservations about Ince’s long-term suitability in the Premier League, although Pritchard hasn’t set the world alight either.

Grade - B