Ben Wiles predicts how Huddersfield Town fans will react on MK Dons return | OneFootball

Ben Wiles feels he won't get a brilliant reception from Huddersfield Town fans when he faces off against them with his new club, MK Dons

Ben Wiles faces Huddersfield Town for the first time since departing the club in January for MK Dons on Saturday, but the midfielder doesn't think he'll receive a warm reception from the travelling Terriers fans.

It's been a disappointing three seasons since Kevin Nagle took 100% ownership of Huddersfield.

The West Yorkshire-based side were relegated from the Championship in the first season and have followed that up with underwhelming 10th and 9th-placed finishes in their two years back in League One, despite a budget that would suggest they should be right at the top of the division.

Wiles joined Huddersfield in the summer of 2023 and has been on a bumpy ride down the EFL with them, before departing in January for MK Dons and reuniting with Paul Warne, who oversaw his emergence into the Rotherham United side from the academy in 2018.

Ben Wiles doesn't think he'll receive a warm reception from Huddersfield Town fans this weekend

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There's been clear frustration aimed at Huddersfield players from the stands these past couple of seasons, while the club massively underperformed expectations in League One.

Wiles was one of the promotion specialists in the side, having been promoted out of the level twice with the Millers in 2020 and 2022 — the latter saw him start all but three games and register 15 goal contributions.

But the 27-year-old couldn't make it three promotions from the third tier at Huddersfield, and due to the discontent from the fanbase with the Terriers squad over the past couple of seasons, he doesn't feel that the response from those in the away end at Stadium MK will be too positive.

"I'm really excited," Wiles told MK's media team when asked about the prospect of playing his former side. "It's always nice playing against teams you've played for before.

"I don't think I'll get an amazing reception, but we'll find out. It's football, it is what it is, and I just need to make sure I have a good game myself."

Wiles then went on to praise the Huddersfield fans, believing that they'll contribute massively to what should be a good atmosphere in MK's first home game back in League One.

"Huddersfield will bring a good attendance; their fans are always good away from home, so it should be a good atmosphere," he continued. "It's exciting. Playing at home against a good squad can really lay a marker down."

Huddersfield Town fans react to Ben Wiles' admission

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Contrary to what Wiles believes, the majority of the Huddersfield fans online don't hold much against the 27-year-old.

The MK midfielder was one of the better performers in their first season back in League One, scoring eight, assisting five and missing just one league game all season. His gametime decreased under Lee Grant, especially with Leo Castledine's excellence in the number 10 role.

"Will get a clap from me on Sat, don’t think he deserves a boo in all honesty #htafc," one Huddersfield fan said in response to the MK clip on X.

"I mean I don't tbh; I have nothing against him. I was surprised he even said it," one Terriers fan page said in response to a Milton Keynes fan asking why he was disliked amongst Huddersfield supporters.

"I liked him, me, thought he got absolute pelters at times just for the sake of it," another said.

There were opinions against Wiles, though, backing up what the midfielder said in the press conference. "Never seen a more invisible player," one Huddersfield fan responded.

"Now you see him, now you don’t. You didn’t know he was on the pitch until his number came up on the subs board to go off…," was also amongst the Huddersfield replies.

Ben Wiles may have a point to prove against his former side in a battle between early promotion favourites

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Huddersfield looked very strong on opening day, albeit against a side many tipped to struggle in AFC Wimbledon. Despite being down to 10 men for an hour, they still came out with a convincing 3-0 win, and actually won the period where they were at a man disadvantage, 1-0.

Meanwhile, MK showed their intent to not be sticking around in League One for too long by coming close to beating recently relegated Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium. A late equaliser from Ciaron Brown snatched two points away from Paul Warne's side.

It may only be the second gameweek, but this particular matchup could have ramifications at the top of the table come May. Both sides have the financial backing and the ambition to finish in the automatic promotion places this season.

It'll be interesting to see what kind of reaction Wiles gets from those in the away end, and equally, what his reaction will be if he has a starring role in a positive result for MK against his former side.