Predicted Huddersfield Town XI to take on Burton Albion

Huddersfield Town host Burton Albion this afternoon, with Town looking to bounce back from their 3-1 defeat to Bradford last weekend and Burton hoping to win their first game since the opening day of the season. 

When it comes to selection, Lee Grant will hopefully be looking to make a few changes to address the problems we had last weekend. Too many players who were out of form continued to be selected and it caught up with us. I’m expecting a fair few chances for this game. 

Here’s how I think we’ll line up. 

Goalkeeper: Nicholls 

This is the final game before Owen Goodman’s suspension is up, so it’s also Nicholls chance to impress Lee Grant enough to prove he should become first choice. I think Owen Goodman’s comfort with passing out for the back makes him likely to come straight back in but I suppose Nicholls hasn’t done a lot wrong to deserve that. This game could be important in deciding who is the first choice goalie in the longer term. While it’s nice to have two capable options, I’d prefer we pick one and stick with them in the league, to create consistency.

Defence: Sorensen, Feeney, Low, Roughan

Lynden Gooch is still recovering from injury, so likely won’t feature in this game. This means Lasse Sorensen is the only sensible option for right back. Plus he did the media before this game, which I think always nods towards a player’s likely inclusion.

Murray Wallace has replaced Jack Whatmough since his injury but he’s been less than convincing. On that basis, I think we’ll see Josh Feeney take his place in this game, particularly as we’re likely to need a player comfortable on the ball in central defence in this game. 

Joe Low’s been part of the more widespread dip in form that the whole team has suffered. Luckily for him, his standards of performance have been good enough that a minor dip isn’t enough to put his starting position in doubt. I would like to see him play with a bit more confidence and authority, like we saw earlier this season rather than the nervier and uncertain version we’ve seen lately. 

All three potential left-backs have been poor lately. Murray Wallace has struggled, Ruben Roosken has been off the boil and Sean Roughan has developed a tendency to back away from wingers without offering much resistance. Of this misfiring trio, I think it will be Roughan that gets the nod but only because there aren’t any better options until Mickel Miller returns to fitness. 

Midfield: Ledson, Kasumu 

The Kane and Ledson midfield partnership started well this season but has looked tired and sloppy in recent weeks. Herbie Kane limped off the pitch against Bradford and didn’t feature on the club’s training video, so I guess he’s unavailable. I don’t think that’s official though, as Lee Grant is pretty tight lipped when it comes to injury updates. 

I’d have been in favour of dropping at least one of Kane or Ledson for their game anyway, so Kane’s seeming injury makes that decision easier for Lee Grant. David Kasumu seems the obvious choice to come in as he’s looked pretty decent in his recent appearances, even if his passing still lets him down too often. I did see Marcus McGuane was back in training, so he could be an option but I’d guess he’ll start on the bench and be eased back into matches. 

Attack: Harness, Wiles, Alves

I’m quite uncertain about how we’ll line up in this area of the field. Harness, Wiles and Roosken have been the regular starters in these roles but all three have struggled to one degree or another lately. Castledine, Alves and Redmond are all potentially available to start and would add some spark to our attacking play but are all a bit young to risk throwing them all on together. 

I think Lee Grant is a manager who has preferred players and he’s likely to pick Marcus Harness whenever he’s available even if he’s not in top form. Similarly, Ben Wiles is a more seasoned and experienced campaigner than Castledine, so I think that will be valued more at least at the start of this game. 

The one change I think needs to happen is on the left wing, where Ruben Roosken has stunk the place out with his recent showings. Will Alves seems like a much more creative and tricky winger, even if his decision making in the final third could be improved. If Burton set their stall out to be hard to break down we will need a bit of magic and it seems like Alves could be that type of player. 

Striker: May

I love that we’ve got two decent options for striker at the moment after years and years of having none. Joe Taylor has been getting the nod lately but I think this might be a game better suited to Alfie May’s game. Taylor has electric pace and is a bit of a bully with defenders but May is more able to operate in tight spaces and can create something when there’s almost no space to do so. If this game is going to be tight, then May is the man you want on the end of any chances we create. Then Taylor can be among the potential options on the bench in case we need more fire power late on.