Huddersfield Town registered a comfortable 2-0 victory over a misfiring Bristol in the final game of the regular season despite fielding a weakened team. The game had the feel of a dead rubber at times but Town managed to raise their levels enough during certain spells to become dominant and create good chances.
Forest conceding a late equaliser against Hull meant that Town finished above them and now face Luton Town in the playoff semi finals. Those games will provide a much stiffer challenge than a relatively poor Bristol City but it’s to Town’s credit that they managed to competently beat their opponent without expending more energy than they had to.
Here are my individual player ratings.
Jamal Blackman – 7 out of 10
Made a couple of smart saves from close range. Probably the kind of save you’d expect him to make but his positioning was good and it meant the danger was quickly snuffed out. His distribution wasn’t quite as good as Nicholls and he took a bit too long to release it at times but there weren’t any significant issues. I’d be perfectly happy for him to be kept on as backup for next season, particularly as it would free Schofield up to be loaned elsewhere where he can rehabilitate himself away from a fanbase that has lost faith in him
Pipa – 6 out of 10
Played very far forward, even by his own usual standard. Sometimes he provided a useful outlet to move the ball up the field but his final action (to borrow a phrase Danny Cowley often used) was often not good enough. The cross, shot or dribble would frequently not be up to standard and play would break down. I thought he looked a bit better when he switched to left wing back in the second half because he could turn inside onto his stronger foot and dribble in field.
Oliver Turton – 7 out of 10
Solid at the back but also helped out going forward. Chris Martin towered over him at times but Turton battled manfully and generally contained his man when it mattered. Made several vital interventions to stop Bristol when they started to look dangerous.
Jonathan Hogg – 6 out of 10
I think his lack of height means that he’s not naturally suited to the conventional central defensive role he’s played lately. He’s not dropping in central defence, he IS central defence these days. This is fine most of the time but not so much when he’s trying to win balls in the air against giant strikers. In fairness, Naby Sarr should be going up for these duels but he can’t be everywhere at once. Hogg was fine in his 45 minutes in this game, not exceptional but solid and he earned the rest he was given by being subbed at half time.
Naby Sarr – 8 out of 10
Another great performance to add to the others he’s produced lately. He pinged some lovely cross field balls out to Pipa on the right wing several times to switch play and start off attacks. He was dominant in the air and clever with his passing too. All round it was a great defensive performance. I’d expected that he would be let go in the summer when his contract expires but this recent renaissance may have done enough to earn him another contract at Town.
Harry Toffolo – 8 out of 10
What a goal! Again! He’s absolutely red hot at the moment and looks like scoring in every game he plays. I hope he can carry this momentum into the playoffs as his confidence is sky high and it looks like he can do whatever he wants on a football field now. I was so happy to see just how much his goal meant to him and the look of delight on his face when he took his children around the ground for the lap of honour. He seems so dedicated to the club that it seems unthinkable that he won’t sign a new contract. I’m sure such things will be on hold until after the playoffs conclude but his contract renewal should be the top priority this summer.
Jon Russell – 8 out of 10
The sponsor’s man of the match choice and it’s hard to disagree. He played the deep lying midfield role very well and helped Town to control the game from the middle of the park. He has a funny habit of wafting his feet around near the ball when in possession that confuses the opposition and gives him more time on the ball. He showed some lovely touches at times and spread the ball around nicely.
Carel Eiting – 6 out of 10
Too hot and cold for me, there were times when he played some lovely balls but other parts of the game where he went missing. He also made too many simple errors for a player that we’ve come to know for his dependable passing. I think the issues were more likely down to rustines rather than anything else. It seems unlikely he’ll play much in the playoffs so this may have been the last we’ll see of him in a Town shirt, though I hope we offer him a contract extension in the summer.
Duane Holmes – 7 out of 10
Had some nice moments and linked up play well at times. It was a bit frustrating to watch him at times though, as he wasn’t quite able to make the most of situations despite doing most things right. He curled a shot over the bar, was saved when connecting with a cross from close range and miscued several decent chances to put balls into the box. But, it’s to his credit that he was getting into these promising positions even if he didn’t make the most of them.
Danel Sinani – 7 out of 10
One of his better recent performances, his touch looked much improved and he was neat and tidy when linking up, particularly with Holmes and Pipa down the right. There were a couple of opportunities he had to break forward where his lack of pace let him down but otherwise he looked a threat and put in some decent set pieces.
Danny Ward – 7 out of 10
His goal was a bit scruffy but he won’t care because he was in the right place and did enough to get the ball over the line. It was a fair reward for an afternoon of hard work which often didn’t receive the rewards it deserved. He did a lot of the selfless running that has become a trademark of his play this season and helped Town to hold the ball in the final third. It looks like he should be ready to lead the line in the upcoming playoff campaign.
Substitutes
Tom Lees – 7 out of 10
Played as both the centre and right side of the back three and looked solid in both roles. Playing 45 minutes rather than being completely rested makes sense, as he should be both rested and sharp for next week.
Tino Anjorin – 7 out of 10
Not quite as effective as last week but still looked like a threat whenever he got on the ball. I don’t know if it’s confidence or fitness but something seems to have changed in him and he now looks ready for Championship football. I doubt he’ll start against Luton but it’s possible that he could make an impact off the bench.
Levi Colwill – 7 out of 10
Did a decent job and looked solid in the final half hour. His appearance was most significant because it confirms there isn’t anything wrong with him and he should be fit to start next week.
You obviously don’t think Town are going to cross that final threshold through the play-offs if you’d offer Eiting a contract extension. He’d be completely at sea in the Premier League just as he seems most of the time in the Championship.
I’ve been one of the ‘Doubting Thomas’ throughout the season but whatever happens in the play-offs, I take my hat off to Carlos and the entire team; you have been quite extraordinary this season. Now the big prize is so close, I confess I want it. I’m knocking on a bit; a few years ago I thought I might never see Town in the top flight again; and then Wagner made it happen seemingly out of nowhere. If anything, what Carlos has achieved with no money is even more remarkable. So make this senior citizen very happy and take that final giant step.
It doesn’t seem to matter what team CC puts out but the sorcerer and his apprentices find a way to win. Yesterday without our two best players we won, as you say TS, quite comfortably against a side admittedly in lower mid-table but on a good run of form.
I have been hypercritical of Hogg for many moons but yesterday, reprising the now common centre-back role from earlier times including under Wagner, he was outstanding, well over a 6/10 in my opinion, he always seemed to have time and I don’t recall a misplaced pass, but strangely, as you say, he was never threatened especially aerially. In fact the comfortable, strategic way in which the ball was manipulated from the back by the whole team was reassuring, a far cry from past times – practice obviously makes perfect.
The two goals were scruffy in creation but thoroughly deserved and there could have been more.
I agree with you totally about Holmes at his creative best, generally in the attacking third, he’s a 9/10; but elsewhere he can loss possession easily and is not aware of danger when the opponent has possession, he’s a 3/10.
I thought Pipa was infuriating when on the left, attacking he can be dangerous when cutting inside, but there were several occasions when there was space to be utilized on the outside and sadly he didn’t use it. A favourite moment occurred with Lees appearing momentarily on the right wing – we have a lot to thank CC for!
Finally I agree with Simon as a fellow senior citizen it would be great and yet again unlikely to see Town in the top flight again, even though it could be quite painful, but with CC you never know.