Football Daily 72+ EFL Pod: Manning in at Huddersfield & Struggling West Brom
Jan 21, 2026
Tommy Smith, former captain of Huddersfield Town and a seasoned footballer, joins the discussion about the huge changes at his old club following the sacking of Lee Grant. He provides sharp insights into Liam Manning's new role and whether he can turn things around. The conversation shifts to West Brom's struggles under Eric Ramsay, raising questions about their survival. Also on the table is the future of Josh Sargent at Norwich and a lively debate over the tight League Two promotion race involving teams like Swindon and Salford.
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Spending Raises Promotion Expectations
- Huddersfield's high spending created big expectations that results haven't met.
- Tommy Smith warns mid-table after games in hand would be unacceptable for the club.
Style Mattered As Much As Results
- Jobi McAnuff felt Lee Grant's cautious style and selection choices frustrated fans.
- He argued Huddersfield should play front foot given the squad's quality.
Use A Sporting Director As The Bridge
- Appointing a sporting director can bridge owner and manager responsibilities.
- Tommy Smith believes Chris Markham's role should support new manager stability.