Huddersfield Town were beaten 2-1 by Reading today in a game that saw Town struggle against a quality opponent. It wasn’t a bad performance by Town but it was more subdued than usual, mostly because we were up against a team with quality players, particularly up front, and we only properly went after them when we were 2-1 down in the second half.
Here are a few of my immediate thoughts from straight after the game. I’ll post more in-depth thoughts on the blog tomorrow.
- Town played the same wonky 4-3-3 formation, with O’Brien a left winger that tends to drop back a bit with Mbenza playing more like a proper winger.
- The opening goal came from an excellent whipped cross from Mbenza and Campbell was in the perfect position to nod it home. Campbell is guily of not attacking the six-yard box enough, so it’s nice to him popping up for a typical striker’s goal.
- Ejaria and Aluko gave our fullbacks a difficult afternoon and showed some real threat down the flanks.
- Bacuna reverted to messing about with the ball in silly areas and trying low-percentage attempted passes too often. Very frustrating to watch after recently being more disciplined.
- Naby Sarr gets sucked towards the ball too often and leaves gaps at the back. Often there’s no need for him to dive in and it means we lose our shape.
- Pipa’s positioning was a bit dodgy on a few occasions but his recovery pace means he rarely gets exposed.
- We are still playing mostly down the left when we attack, which makes it easier to defend against us.
- Schofield’s save just before half time was superb. I don’t think he knew anything about it when it hit him but his positioning and ability to make himself big was great – like Peter Schmichael at his best.
- The start to the second half saw Reading looking really up for it and Town struggled with their increased vigour.
- Rarmani Edmonds-Gree will wince when he watches the replay of Reading’s opener. The ball downfield was quality but Joao swats him away far too easily and applies a decent finish.
- Bacuna and Eiting were both, once again, not nearly good enough. Eiting looks lost at times and Bacuna doesn’t seem to value possession as he gives it away most times he gets the ball.
- There was a potential penalty shout that was enthusiastically appealed for. The replay didn’t look great but the speed the ball was travelling at makes it very hard for the Reading player to get his hand out of the way. Probably the right decision.
- Joao’s second goal was a lovely bit of football. From a Town point of view, Edmonds-Green has given him too much space to be able to get his shot away but the finish was quality.
- Town looked very leggy after half time and until around 75 minutes. Then something switched and we started to push for an equaliser and put more pressure on Reading. Why didn’t we play that way after Campbell’s goal instead of retreating inside ourself and playing for time?
- Pritchard had enough time on the pitch to make a difference but he looked scared of the ball and drifted around the pitch.
- It was nice to see Phillips get his debut but he wasn’t on long enough to really show what he can do.
- We tried to go long in the closing stages but Reading dealt with this tactic easily and saw the game out with ease.
What did you think about the game? Put your comments below!
editor sorry just commented on previous
I agree entirely. Reading were far better than I thought they would be, more quality than us, particularly on the bench. REG was at fault with both goals but we shouldn’t criticise as he has done well so far. Bacuna was Bacuna and Schofield deserves to keep his place in the team.
We need more strength in depth and not rely so much upon the youngsters and I am hoping we will give CC support during January to strengthen the team. However, I feel that the Chairman might feel that the current squad is good enough to achieve that.
Overall I am not too despondent and feel that the future is bright. 3/4 quality signings in January will enable us to finish the season in the top half of the table and give us a sound foundation for a promotion challenge next season.
A mid table finish this season would be more than I expected at the the beginning of the season.
A game of two halves as they say. I was surprised how well we played in the first, the dominant display crowned, if early in the piece, by an unexpected if proper centre forward’s goal. The second was a better representation of my expectations when Reading came out to play, showing their superior skills apart from maybe the last ten minutes or so, when protecting the lead.
Not one Huddersfield player avoided making multiple errors in passing, tracking or simply losing possession in ridiculous situations; Pipa in particular the major culprit. I do admire every player’s adventurous attitude, which gives us an edge of the seat watch, we just need better or more consistent players.
This month promises to be an interesting journey, with respect to recruitment, outgoings and progress/stagnation on the grass.
terry yes they had more strengh in depth but you are right the overall situation is ok and yes im sure at least a couple will be coming in. im certain that will be te case.utt
Over the last 4 weeks our home displays have been excellent. But apart from Watford we were against lineups who were looking down the table. You can see the team has probably overachieved, but without Carlos we would be sitting in the bottom 3, hopefully the coach will get some leeway and get a couple of signings he wants. Looking at Reading , they have Championship strength in depth, we haven’t and that needs addressing if we are to get to where we all want to be, even though the home grown players are not letting us down.
Reading the comments, people seem to have enjoyed the match more than I did. It can never be that good a match if Town end up losing!
First half was reasonable. I thought Town were neat & tidy but lacked either the killer pass or the adventure.
Second half was odd in that Town could have escaped with a point as Mbenza had 2 great chances, one produced a terrific save and the other went just wide; and yet we know that would have been a distortion of what we were watching. What we saw was a lethargic Town and a pacey Reading and really Town were second best in every position. At 1-2, I thought it was more likely to end up 1-4 than 2-2.
Somebody (Beck Lane) has commented on Pipa. I totally agree. He kept running into trouble and we were fortunate that when he lost the ball Reading didn’t score on the break.
There was very little to cheer or get me standing up. Town desperately need a break and a few faces either recovering from injury or fresh faces into the club. Today saw a 5-in-a-row with the same starting XI; Lord knows how as one or two of them I’d have dropped weeks ago (Eiting and Bacuna); but the team is crying out for some fresh faces and fresh legs.
Excellent summation Simon, and I agree we need something fresh in midfield (more for Eitung than Bacuna in my opinion) but that is more likely to come from transfers than from the existing squad. That is not to say I am particularly expecting new signings, just that the current bunch of fringe players do not offer anything different. I think Pritchard will get 90 minutes in the FA Cup next week, but it may not be fair to judge him on that one performance if the players around him make for a disjointed line-up.
I hope you’re right, Ian, that Pritchard gets 90 minutes. We might even see Phillips get a start which would be interesting.
SIMON i doubt if many who started today will be played next week they do need a break and in my view the cup will be the ideal time to play the otheres. i fulloy expect two to three in by the end of the window and one art least soon!
It’s a game of 2 halves. we didn’t go after them in the second, they came after us
Colour msensus about the need for signings. Over to the board no Way! They kn W what they have to do. Carlos can’t keep,performing miracles without a goal-scorer.
At least we have some consistency, five times we have scored first and lost, the difference was the lad Jao he scored two good goals, although he shrugged EG off too easily and our so called striker missed and theirs didn’t
Eiting has lost his way and Bacuna should only come off the bench 2nd half, waste of time bringing Pritchard on, we need at least three new faces in key positions, would like to see the lads next week in the cup. UTT
We’ve done remarkably well with what’s available. As you said we looked leggy, doesn’t that say it all.
Hi I like the wonky system quote because that sums it up for me, O’Brien is no winger we need him running box to box being a menace, Eiting & bacuna are playing the same position with bacuna seeing more of the ball when really he is better coming on as a sub, the thing is with Prichard & now Eiting is they need runners & without them they look poor, there have been lots of occasions over the last 4 games where the team aren’t making them because of our wonky system I don’t want to be too critical as we have not done too bad & it’s far better than the last couple of seasons, a couple of wingers are needed to even the system up again