Huddersfield Town backed to make January exit call with "quite erratic" player | OneFootball

FLW's Huddersfield Town fan pundit has given his verdict on whether the Terriers should send on-loan goalkeeper Owen Goodman back to Crystal Palace.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

It is fair to say it has not worked out for goalkeeper Owen Goodman since his summer loan move from Crystal Palace to Huddersfield Town.

Goodman was one of 14 new additions made by Huddersfield during a busy summer transfer window, with the Terriers fighting off competition from fellow League One promotion hopefuls Bolton Wanderers to land his signature.

The 22-year-old had previously had two loan spells in League Two with Colchester United and AFC Wimbledon, and he helped the latter to promotion via the play-offs last season, keeping 25 clean sheets in 54 appearances in all competitions for the Dons in the process.

Goodman began the season as Huddersfield's number one goalkeeper, but he lost his place to Lee Nicholls following his red card in the 3-1 defeat at Barnsley in late August.

After over two months out of the team, Goodman was handed another opportunity between the sticks by manager Lee Grant in early November, but he was dropped again just four games later following a host of costly errors.

With the Terriers losing only one of their eight league games since the latest change in goal, it seems Nicholls has firmly established himself as Grant's first choice in recent weeks, and Goodman's time at the Accu Stadium may soon be coming to an end.

According to journalist Alan Nixon, Town are currently looking into sending Goodman back to Palace during the January transfer window, and should the two clubs come to an agreement, he could make an alternative loan move for the remainder of the season.

Huddersfield Town told to make Owen Goodman, Crystal Palace transfer decision in January

When asked for his reaction to reports that Goodman's loan could be terminated early, FLW's Huddersfield Town fan pundit Graeme Rayner admitted that he believes it would be best for all parties for the goalkeeper to return to his parent club this month, particularly as it would free up an additional loan spot in the Terriers' squad.

"It makes sense, I think," Graeme told FLW.

"He's not getting football, but he's not getting football for a reason because he's proven to be quite erratic.

"He's obviously a really strong young prospect, but whether we're likely to get it or not, we are in the hunt for promotion, and we can't afford to be developing someone else's player and allowing them to learn by making mistakes as we do that.

"I think it's sensible to send him back and use our own reserve goalkeeper Jacob Chapman as our number two.

"Lee Nicholls is doing a perfectly good job as number one.

"That potentially frees up space in the squad for loan signings somewhere that we need it, for example in midfield.

"I know there are no limits on how many loan players you can have, but there are limits on how many you can have in the matchday squad, so using him on the bench every week when he's not getting used is a bit of a waste of a loan space really.

"Good luck to him, I'm sure he might go on and have a really good career, but I don't think he's right for us at this time.

"I don't think developing someone else's player in a critical position like that is the right use, especially when we have a decent young prospect of our own."

Owen Goodman, Huddersfield Town exit seems inevitable in January after Lee Grant call

Having starred for AFC Wimbledon in their League Two promotion-winning campaign last season, Goodman looked to be a strong signing for Huddersfield in the summer, but his time at the Accu Stadium has certainly been disappointing.

While the Terriers are still a little vulnerable defensively, as shown by their 2-2 draw at home to Exeter City on Sunday, there is no doubt that they have tightened up significantly since Nicholls replaced Goodman in late November, and it is difficult to see a way back into the team for the Crystal Palace loanee.

With that in mind, it makes sense for Goodman to return to Selhurst Park this month and join a club where he will be guaranteed more regular game time, and Grant will be hoping he can use the loan spot that will be vacated to find another gem like Leo Castledine.