Huddersfield Town midfielder Lewis O’Brien has outlined that the club are not fearful of relegation this season, as they linger just over the bottom three heading into their clash with QPR at the weekend.

The Terriers arrived back in the Championship after two seasons in the Premier League, both of which they were fighting for their lives to stave off the drop, and their first season back in the second tier has been the same.

They started the season under Jan Siewert and couldn’t halt their downward spiral as they waited ten league games for a win, eventually coming under Danny Cowley away to Stoke City. 

The Cowley brothers came in and boosted the mood around the John Smith’s Stadium, helping lift the club from the relegation zone and comfortably out around the festive period. However, injuries and poor performances have seen them dip to just three points above 22nd-placed Wigan Athletic.

While it hasn’t been an ideal start to life back in the EFL for the Terriers, Lewis O’Brien has been in impressive form following his return from a loan at Bradford City last season. O’Brien is no stranger to this end of the table, after he was part of the Bantams squad that was relegated to League Two last term.

Speaking to the Examiner before the QPR game on Saturday, O’Brien was eager to allay any fears of relegation in the Huddersfield camp. He stated: “We all know how the table looks but we try not to worry about that. If we’re doing the right things in training that should translate on the pitch.

“It was a different scenario at Bradford last year. We know we’re in a relegation battle but we’re in high spirits and know we’re on the right path to go upwards.”

Do you know where these former Terriers are playing now?

The verdict

Huddersfield undoubtedly have the credentials to stave off the drop and injuries have played a massive part in their struggles.

The mentality that Danny Cowley has instilled into the side is clearly translating into how they both play and conduct themselves, which is evident in O’Brien’s assessment.

The Terriers have a good chance to extend the gap between themselves and the dropzone this month, with QPR struggling for consistency in the league.

If Huddersfield are to get away from relegation this season and build for next year, they have O’Brien to thank for some tremendous work in the middle of midfield.