Exclusive: Why Don Goodman won't be pinning his colours on Huddersfield Town promotion | OneFootball

Don Goodman believes that Huddersfield Town will challenge for promotion under Lee Grant

Huddersfield Town are looking to bounce back from a disappointing first season back in League One with a promotion hunt next year.

Lee Grant is the new man in the home dugout and has already been extremely active in the transfer market.

The Terriers have acquired Ryan Ledson, Sean Roughan, Marcus Harness, Murray Wallace, Joe Low and Josh Feeney, highlighting their ambition to fight at the sharp end of League One next year.

Owner Kevin Nagle will hope that appointing Grant turns out to be a wise decision next term, having already backed his new man handsomely.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Sky Sports pundit and former EFL striker, Don Goodman, believes that promotion from the third-tier will be as hotly contested as ever in the 2025/26 campaign, despite Huddersfield’s promising window.

Don Goodman predicts tight League One promotion fight

“Having appointed Lee Grant as head coach, Huddersfield are moving fast in the transfer market,” stated Goodman.

“I like the business they’ve done very much. It really shows ambition and if I were a Huddersfield Town fan I would be getting slightly excited.

“Automatic promotion, that's going to be a challenge because you look at the calibre of clubs that are in there that you would expect to be at the top end. Blackpool have had a bit of a go, Bolton Wanderers I expect to do better. Cardiff City should be up there, regardless of their off-field problems.

“Luton Town came down obviously and you'd expect Peterborough to do better.

“Plymouth have got Tom Cleverley in charge, and I think Rotherham will have a bit more of a go. Stockport were strong last season, Wigan are being a bit more ambitious, and Wycombe are coming off a great season.

“So, I wouldn't be pinning my colours to the Huddersfield Town mast for a top-two finish at the moment, but I would certainly be expecting them to challenge for a play-off spot.”

Huddersfield will fancy their promotion chances next year

As Goodman alluded to, League One could be much tighter next year following Birmingham City and Wrexham’s promotion.

Huddersfield should feel confident in their current state, having started the window with a bang.

Grant has clearly outlined the profiles he wants in his Terriers squad and has been backed subsequently, which naturally builds excitement about their promotion chances next term.

Michael Duff had the Yorkshire outfit in and around the play-offs during the first half of last season but couldn’t hang on and ultimately suffered a dismal end to the year, losing six straight matches to end the campaign.

A new horizon has dawned upon the John Smith’s Stadium and renewed hope could fuel a real promotion bid for Grant’s Huddersfield Town.