When Chris Powell was sacked in November after a pedestrian start to the season, there were some concerns that the West Yorkshire club could be relegation fodder, but that couldn't be any further from the truth as they put together back to back wins last weekend.

Dean Hoyle wasn't the most popular chairman in the country after a particularly damaging end to the summer transfer window with Butterfield, Smithies and Coady leaving the club.

From the outside looking in, Huddersfield's spine had seemingly been dismantled and was going to lead to a season-long struggle to stay in the division.

However with 14 games left in the season relegation fears are all but extinguished.

With little interest left in this season, the focus of the fans and the club is to next season.

The club has been attempting to consolidate and sustain their position in the division since coming up, after a spectacular penalty shoot-out victory over Sheffield United.

However, there is a sense of optimism swirling around the John Smith Stadium as the club has departed from the rhetoric that they can't compete as they are one of the smaller clubs in the Championship, in terms of size and financial clout, but there is genuine enthusiasm that next season will be different.

This article will look at FIVE reasons why Huddersfield can be a surprise package next season……

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE REASONS!

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Season Ticket prices

One of the reasons why Huddersfield could be a surprise package next season is the season ticket prices.

The decision by Dean Hoyle to use some of the TV money the club will receive to lower season ticket prices will draw a larger core crowd to the John Smith Stadium, with a minimum expected of 10,000.

With the lowering of matchday ticket prices and away ticket pricing possibly also lowering, the John Smith Stadium's attendance may rise by thousands which will be enjoyed by everyone involved with the club.

Rather than the financial benefit, it will provide the John Smith stadium with a better atmosphere and makes the John Smith Stadium a more daunting prospect for away sides.

Improvements have already been made this season by the club, with home fans given the opportunity to share the south stand with away fans.

It provides an away feel and the hardcore Huddersfield fans have improved the atmosphere tenfold, as there is also now a continental feel since the arrival of David Wagner.

The use of flags and drums is similar to the German game as are the ticket prices and both are now commendable features of the club that other clubs may look to replicate next season.

 

David Wagner

One of Huddersfield's prized possessions is David Wagner.

The charismatic German manager has transformed the club from a relegation candidate to potentially a top half finish.

He has impressively done this whilst sticking to a clear footballing philosophy and has done so with a squad that is still predominantly Chris Powell's.

The German manager has brought the same 'full throttle' football that Jurgen Klopp has attempted to bring to Liverpool and it has seen Huddersfield become one of the most open expansive footballing sides in the division, which is an exciting prospect for next season.

The fact that Wagner's also won 44% of his games since taking over at the club, he's instilled a winning mentality that could see Huddersfield looking to challenge at the right end of the table.

The manager alone looks to be one of the most promising young managers in English football and Huddersfield will look to keep him at the club in the long term as he has always claimed that he wants to lead Huddersfield to the Premier League.

Young squad

Although Huddersfield has one of the most talented young managers in English football, they also have one of the most talented young squads that with the experience of this season will be a different prospect.

With David Wagner's reputation of not only managing but developing young players, Huddersfield's fans will have the pleasure of watching their young talents such as Joe Lolley, Harry Bunn, Philip Billing, Duane Holmes continue to improve and be instrumental to Huddersfield being a surprise package.

Also with an excellent academy at his disposal, it's exciting times for the West Yorkshire side.

Already the average age of Huddersfield's squad is one of the lowest in the Championship and that has its advantages and disadvantages.

Wagner will need to work on the composure and game management of the young squad.

However despite the lack of experience, the young players will learn to play together naturally and instinctively and with Wagner at the helm, they will also grow and improve together with next season most likely being a number of breakthrough seasons if they aren't already involved in the first team like some of them are.

Nahki Wells

Another obvious reason for Huddersfield being a surprise package next season is Nahki Wells.

The striker has been a consistent standout performer for Huddersfield this season and with 13 league goals already, he is priceless for the West Yorkshire side.

With only Andre Gray, Ross McCormack and Abel Hernandez having more goals than him, he is sharing good company.

The Bermudan international has shown his ability particularly since the arrival of David Wagner and his footballing philosophy and the style of play that Huddersfield now play, it suits Wells perfectly. The vast amount of chances created have got to the form that he had at Bradford but his goalscoring exploits are only one reason why Huddersfield could be a surprise package.

The vast amount of chances created have got to the form that he had at Bradford but his goalscoring exploits are only a small part of his game.

Nahki Wells has improved drastically since Wagner's arrival with his work-rate and movement being a lot sharper and also his link up play with the bank of three attackers that are deployed behind him has also made him a crucial part of this Huddersfield side.

His performances will almost certainly attract attention in the summer and Huddersfield and David Wagner needs to persuade the striker to stay and keeping him may be a determining factor for how Huddersfield will perform next season.

Money to Spend

The final reason why Huddersfield could be a surprise package links to the turbulent summer transfer window with the money received from departures and the windfall from Rhodes' sale, the club has money to spend and this summer could see the West Yorkshire side made a statement of intent.

With a relatively small squad, signings are needed and David Wagner may look to bring in some players from the continent as well as some signings that are well versed in English football to help Huddersfield.

With Ryan Gauld and Joao Texiera being linked the club, the calibre of player that the West Yorkshire side is well beyond that of a club that will be satisfied with a mid-table finish.

Huddersfield has shown their goal-scoring capabilities with only Hull, Burnley, Sheffield Wednesday and Fulham scoring more than them, but it is the defence that needs to be addressed and if David Wagner can re-address that balance then the side could be well on their way to being the surprise package of next season.