Huddersfield Town return from the international break this lunchtime with a televised game against Brentford at the John Smith’s Stadium. The Bees are the Championship’s top scorers so far this season but a few poor results leaves them needing a good run to keep their automatic promotion ambitions alive.
Town will be hoping they can add points to their tally to reduce our relegation fears. Though it’s likely to be a tough test for Corberán’s men, as the away fixture against Brentford saw us handed a footballing lesson in a game where we barely laid a glove on the Bees.
Trying to be positive, the international break has seen some injured players move closer to fitness. So Carlos has more competition for places and should be able to choose a decent starting eleven today. Here’s who I think he’ll pick:
Goalkeeper: Schofield
I’ve been reluctant to criticise Schofield on this blog but I’m prepared to make one dig at the young stopper. His hair is awful. While lockdown has meant that dodgy haircuts abound, Schofield looks like an experiment to splice the genes of Shaggy from Scooby Doo with the Milkybar Kid with a bit of Worzel Gummidge thrown in for good measure. Miraculously, other footballers seem to have freshly cut hair every week despite the restrictions but Schofield is clearly paying the price for playing by the rules and not having a hairdresser living in his household. Haircuts aside, Schofield seems to have overcome his dodgy patch and despite being weak on crosses, his other attributes make up for it.
Defence: Edmonds-Green, Stearman, Sarr
Switching to three at the back has played a part in Town’s recent improvement and has resulted in fewer soft goals being conceded. Rarmani Edmonds-Green on the right and Sarr on the left seem to be settled choices but I’m not sure who will play in the middle. Keogh and Stearman are similar propositions so either could play. I personally prefer Stearman but wouldn’t particularly mind either way.
Technically Tommy Elphick could be in contention for a starting place but I can’t see him playing again until our Championship status is secured as he’s been out for so long. Sadly Schindler isn’t likely to recover in time for the end of the season, so he may not play for Town again.
Midfield: Pipa, Hogg, O’Brien, Rowe
If we had good depth in the wingback position I would expect Pipa to be rested after his exertions for Spain’s Under 21 team but with Toffolo still out we need him to continue. Duhaney has been preferred to Rowe recently but I feel that is the boring option and would rather Rowe was played on the left where he’s done pretty well lately. He’s obviously a bit weak on the defensive side of things but he provides a lot more of a threat going forward. He’s also more willing to use his weaker left foot than Pipa so I’d play him down that side.
I’ve made this joke before but I would go for a three-man midfield of Hogg and O’Brien. Both get through the work of more than one man, so they shouldn’t be overrun playing together, particularly as the wingbacks can slot in alongside them when we attack.
I’m expecting Bacuna to be rested because he’s had more travelling for his international exploits than Pipa. But Carlos tends to pick him in nearly every match, so he may play anyway.
Attack: Mbenza, Sanogo Campbell
Mbenza wasn’t in the best form before the break but his ability from set pieces makes him worth persevering with, particularly against opposition that is likely to want plenty of possession as he’s a threat on the break.
Carlos said that Sanogo has been given the thumbs up to play the full 90 minutes of games so I see no reason to leave him on the bench. We’re not likely to outplay Brentford today but we could get something from the game if we provide Sanogo with the right service and get players near to him for the knock downs and flick ons.
Not everyone loves Frazier Campbell but he does do a good job of pressurising the back line and that will be valuable today. Danny Ward could be pushing for a starting spot but given how little football he’s played this season I think he’ll have to settle for a place on the bench.
Two points lost with arguing over a throw in, need to get smart Town and stop giving points away.
otherwise would have been a good win against another team who are not as good as they think they are,
UTT.