Ibane Bowat has become a key figure at Huddersfield Town after his summer departure from Portsmouth. The 24-year-old defender has started all seven of the Terriers' League One fixtures this season, solidifying a defence that struggled badly last term.
Steven Chicken, a writer covering Huddersfield, said the player's ambition was clear from the start. "Ibane wanted the minutes when he came here, he's been quite up front about that - and he's going to get them," Chicken noted. Bowat's consistent selection comes after he managed just 16 appearances across two seasons at Fratton Park, a period that included missing the entire 2024-25 campaign with a serious knee injury.
A defensive transformation
Huddersfield conceded more goals than two relegated teams last season, making defensive reinforcement a priority. Bowat, capable of playing left-back or left-sided centre-back in a back three, has helped deliver the division's second-best defensive record so far. His technical quality has stood out. "He looks comfortable and is too good for League One," Chicken observed. "For a player to have that kind of passing range is fairly unusual at this level."
Bowat arrived at the John Smith's Stadium in August as he entered the final year of his Portsmouth contract. His former Fulham academy background is now paying dividends for a Huddersfield side looking to climb the table. Meanwhile, Portsmouth are handling their own challenges in the Championship, currently sitting 19th with eight points from seven games. Their recent form shows one win, two draws and two losses from the last five outings, a sequence that includes a 2-2 draw with Blackburn last Friday.
Former Pompey connections
Bowat is not the only ex-Portsmouth player on Huddersfield's books. Defender Jack Whatmough joined the club in July 2025 but was restricted to just six appearances last season before falling out of contention after September. He returned to action with two outings this term but has recently been sidelined with a minor injury, named as an unused substitute for Saturday's defeat at Bromley. Head coach Martin Drury will be hoping for more consistent availability from his squad as the season progresses.
For Portsmouth, attention turns to the next Championship fixture, a south coast derby away at Southampton on October 11. The Saints currently occupy 13th place. John Mousinho's side will be without the injured Josh Murphy and Luke Brooke-Smith for that trip. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming schedule, including the key Southampton clash, on the official fixtures list. The quest for points continues after a mixed start to the campaign.
The original report is at portsmouth.co.uk
