Huddersfield v Ipswich: THEY had some good times together – but today it’s dog-eat-dog as old allies become foes.

David McGoldrick scored 17 goals in 25 appearances under the management of Mark Robins during a loan spell at promotion-chasing League One side Coventry in the first half of the season.

Both have used that success as a springboard back into the Championship – Nottingham Forest front man McGoldrick completing a move to Ipswich Town in the January transfer window and ex-Barnsley Robins having recently been installed in the Huddersfield hot seat.

And the duo know that this afternoon’s game between their employers, at the John Smith’s Stadium, could well have a big bearing on whether one of them swiftly returns to the third tier of English football.

With Town and the Terriers just three and two points above the drop zone respectively as the campaign enters its final straight, McGoldrick said: “I don’t know if you can call it a six-pointer yet, but it’s a big game.

“Mark is a good guy and a good manager and I think he’ll do a good job there – but obviously I hope that only starts after we get the points.

“He’s an intelligent man who knows the game. He studies teams and will be looking for the weaknesses in our side. He’ll think he’ll know how to keep me quiet, but I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve for him!

“He doesn’t shout a lot, but he gets respect off the players by talking to them and explaining his decisions.”

It’s been a nightmare start for Robins in his new job. After producing a limp first-half display in their 4-1 FA Cup fifth round defeat against Premier League side Wigan last Sunday, the Yorkshire club were thumped 6-1 at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night.

“He will have been hurt,” said McGoldrick.

“He doesn’t overeact to bad results and we’ve got to be wary because they’ll come out of the blocks fast.

“If I’d just got beat 6-1 then I’d certainly be angry about it. From the first minute they’re going to be right up in our faces.

“We’ve got to be up for it.”

– See today’s EADT for full match preview. Follow @Stuart_Watson and @ChrisBramms for live match updates.