Huddersfield Town have their first competitive game of the new season today against League One’s Rochdale.
Town’s preseason has been blighted by injury and has only seen them play two friendly games, with many first teamers missing from these games for various reasons.
It’s very hard to make accurate team predictions but Carlos Corberán dropped a few hints about his plans in his press conference yesterday. Schindler, Hogg, Diakhaby and Mbenza are all going to feature after recovering from injury. Corberán also confirmed the team will be a mix of academy and first team players.
Here’s how I think Town will lineup:
Goalkeeper: Joel Pereria
I can’t remember the last Town manager that took the league Cup seriously and I don’t think Corberán is going to break that streak. This game will be treated as a slightly more competitive friendly and I think he’ll take it as a chance to look at his new keeper.
Most fans are aware that Pereira had a tough time on loan at Hearts last season but Jose Mourinho once described him as the future of Portuguese goalkeeping. While many fans have already written him off, I’m willing to give him a chance.
If he plays then keep an eye on his work with the ball at his feet. I’m curious to see how quickly he moves the ball forward, does he kick long under pressure and whether he can play accurate medium range passes out to midfield. Even Hearts fans have said his distribution is good, so hopefully we’ll get to see how this strength helps Town’s new system.
Defence: Rowe, Crichlow, Schindler, Toffolo
Both Aaron Rowe and Romoney Crichlow impressed enough in preseason to justify their selection in this game. Rowe is still learning the right back position in the new system but has looked great so far. Crichlow looks very composed but I’ll be curious to see how he manages in a competitive game, where he won’t be allowed as much time on the ball.
While Schindler is returning from an unspecified injury, I’d expect he will be fit enough to at least play some part in the game to build up match fitness.
Harry Toffolo is miles ahead of Jaden Brown in the fight for the left back slot, so I’d say this is the one area of the pitch I feel like I know who Carlos will pick.
Midfield: Austerfield, Hogg, Pritchard
Austerfield is the only player to play every minute of both preseason friendlies, so he’s looking like a Corberán favourite already. He’s a skinny looking lad, so I’ll be watching carefully to see how he manages the physical side of the game. If he can cope with this then he looks ready to make the step up into men’s football because he’s been excellent in most other aspects of his game.
Hogg is back in training and needs minutes in his legs to get him fully match fit. He most obviously fits in the deep-lying midfielder role but I’m not sure he’s the type of player Carlos wants in that part of the pitch. I’d like to see Hoggy pushed further up the field and encouraged to press high. While he isn’t a huge attacking threat, he is able to force opposition defences into mistakes with tireless running.
I’ve really enjoyed seeing Pritchard playing in a deeper position in preseason. He seems more comfortable on the ball and attacking from deep suits him. His work rate without the ball has been admirable too, showing a real appetite to chase down the ball and tackle back. He’s a bit lightweight for a central midfielder but he looks like he’s bulked up a bit since lockdown.
Forwards: Diakhaby, Ward, Mbenza
I wasn’t expecting to see Diakhaby or Mbenza in a Town shirt again but the arrival of the new coaching team has given them a new chance. Regardless of whether this is deserved, the pressure is now on these two to produce.
I have a feeling that Mbenza will be better suited to the winger role in Carlos’ 4-3-3 than Diakhaby. I don’t think the latter has the ball control to play in the narrower way Carlos has instructed his wingers to play in the friendlies.
Karlan Grant and Steve Mounié are both not going to feature because there are ongoing negotiations about their futures. Frazier Campbell is still injured (I think) so that leaves just Ward from the first team.
I’ve been pleased with Ward’s performances so far. He gives us something slightly different up front and looks sharp. He’s still learning the new system and how his teammates play but until new arrivals come in, he looks like the first choice striker.
Looks a pretty decent team selection, I’d be happy with that.
I don’t want to see Stearman play alongside Schindler I think it’s too slow a pairing.
I don’t see the loss of Mounie being a major issue this season if indeed he goes on to pastures new. He’s never shirked a shift and has given plenty for me to wish him all the best. Grant is a talented lad and I don’t blame him for wanting to further his career, if that times now then so be it.
I’d like to see a bit of money spent on another centre forward if he goes, but when you look at it we have £20 million of talent coming back into the squad in Mbenza and Diakhaby.
I’ve seen enough in parts to know there’s something in there, it just hasn’t happened.
Maybe they think they’re better than what they are and deserve bigger clubs now out of the Premiership, I’m hoping if that’s the case last season out on loan has given them a reality check. Maybe it’s because they’re 20-30 min players and can’t do what’s required for a full 90. We’ve had players like it before, they have skill but can’t produce it for long periods if they could they’d be elsewhere and worth loads more.
If the new manager can get it out of them for prolonged periods with the pace they possess it could be frightening for defences especially on quick counters.
If what we’ve seen is the best they have, then god help us 😂
Anyway I’m happy to give everyone a clean slate and get behind the lads.
I’ll be sad to see Mounié leave but he doesn’t fit the current system and it’s right to let him go if he won’t play. I’d already accepted Grant going, clubs can’t keep players that want to leave without it leading to problems. I just hope some of the the money we receive is reinvested in the squad.
Is this Diakhaby and Mbenza’s fourth chance now? I’m hoping they’ll finally come good but I’m dubious we’ll ever see them live up to their potential.
Hard to argue with that line up. Edmonds-Green may play when fit, and obviously O’brien when fit and if still here. I liked Mounie, but I don’t see him fitting in to a high octane system. Better that we get some money now. I hope we dont hear of an “undisclosed” fee for Grant. We must realise that Charlton will probably have had a sell on clause inserted. Hopefully we have lined up a replacement striker as we were aware of interest in Grant back in January. However, us being interested in them doesnt mean they will be interested in us. Hopefully Corberan can bring something extra out of Mbenza and Diakhaby. If they feel happy, they should surely play better and with more heart.
I look forward to seeing something from our youngsters this season. There does seem to be an effort to use them. I just hope they are played because they are good enough, and not because we “think” they should be.
When Grant and Mounié it should mean we’ll start shopping around for players that cost a few million rather than rummaging in the bargain bin for free transfers and loans.
I’m not confident our transfer committee can deliver high quality replacements but they might pull off a surprise.
My expectations are so low for the speedy twins that they only have to not be awful to impress me. Hopefully another clean slate will bring out the best in them.
Huddersfield always a selling club no changes there surprise surprise i watched town for over 70 seen players come and go some player around are greedy like nessi. Money ruining football JIMMY HILL his to blame by open paying high wages at Coventry.TOO MANY PLAYER COMING IN FROM ABROAD DEMANG HIGH WAgee TRANSFERE FEE ARE BLOWN shoild be a wage transfere freeze no ones worth a million quid a week
what chance has a small club got in prem league no chance at all lets face the promotion to pre m league can ruin a club Every punter cried when Man u went down NO CLUB SHOULD HAVE RIGHTS TO STAY UP MAN CITY WENT DOWN BY A MAN WHO WAS THE GREATIST SCORER FOR TOW MAN U MANCITY INTER MILAN DENIS LAW
Thanks for your comment Tony. I think I agree with you about the money in football getting silly now.
League One and Two both have salary caps now. It’ll be interesting to see how the clubs manage that. I’d welcome something similar in the Championship to level the playing field. I’m not sure it will happen though because some clubs want to try to throw money at getting promoted to the Premier League.