Huddersfield Town will play against Cardiff tonight in south Wales. The Terriers will be hoping to build upon their decent win against Middlesbrough at the weekend but face stiff opposition after Cardiff beat Luton 4-0 last Saturday.
I can imagine it will be a tough, physical battle against the Bluebirds and Town will most likely have to mix it up a bit before they can play the free-flowing, passing game they aspire to.
There are a few tricky choices for Carlos Corberán tonight, mostly around whether to favour youth or experience. I think we’ll see broadly the same starting players as at the weekend but Stearman’s twanged hamstring guarantees at least one change.
Goalkeeper – Ben Hamer
Ryan Schofield has done pretty well in his last two starts but I think Hamer should return to the starting eleven. While Schofield feels like the long-term first choice, Hamer is our number one for this season and should play if he’s fit.
Goalkeeper – Ryan Schofield
When I started writing that Hamer should come back in I thought that was the right decision but thinking about it more made me second-guess myself. Schofield hasn’t done anything wrong in the past two games (apart from that daft header against Wycombe which he got away with) and should retain his place. Hamer’s done a decent job this season but the bad luck of having to self-isolate has been compounded by Schofield coming in and playing pretty well. Schofield is the future of the club and deserves to extend his run for at least a few more games.
Defence: Bacuna, Schindler, Sarr, Toffolo
Bacuna made some diabolical mistakes on Saturday but also added something to midfield when we were in possession. I’m not his biggest fan but prefer him to Duhaney in Pipa’s absence because of his attacking abilities.
I loved watching Rarmani Edmonds-Green play on Saturday but would prefer to see Schindler come back in for this particular game because of the physicality of Cardiff, particularly Moore. I’m convinced Edmonds-Green will be a big player for Town fairly soon but better to save him for games which are better suited to a ball-playing centreback.
Sarr and Toffolo should be fairly obvious choices for the left side of defence. Sarr’s ability in the air and confidence with the ball at his feet make us much stronger and Toffolo continues to be one of our biggest attacking threats despite opposition teams looking to mark him out of games.
This back four is the one I think Corberán is most likely to pick but if I was wearing the chinos tonight I’d drop Bacuna and play Edmonds-Green at right back. That way we benefit from Schindler’s composure and leadership, Edmonds-Green gets more minutes and adds a bit more defensive solidity out wide and a physical presence at set pieces. For all his obvious failings, Carlos persists with Bacuna most games, so I think he’ll keep his place in the team.
Midfield: Hogg, O’Brien, Eiting
This trio are starting to build an understanding after playing a few games together as a unit and I would like to see that continue. All three have had good games and bad games recently but the more time they have on the pitch together the better they will play.
Eiting in particular seems to be getting involved more in games and is finding spaces to exploit as the most advanced of the three. He’s learned the hard way that Championship midfielders don’t allow Huddersfield the kind of respect Ajax get in the Dutch league and has learned to move and think that little bit quicker.
O’Brien’s assist for Frazier Campbell summed up why he’s so good, combining an excellent tackle with a driving run before feeding Campbell. His constant running is perfect for the type of football Town now play and I’m looking forward to seeing him get better and better.
Hogg has had some shaky moments on the ball recently and has been targeted by our opponents but he’s still the obvious choice for the deep-lying midfield role because of everything else he gives to the team. Particularly as his only direct competition, Alex Vallejo, can’t get onto the bench despite us naming nine subs. This will change once the Spaniard’s fitness gets up to speed but for now Hogg is the only option in this role.
Forwards: Koroma, Campbell, Mbenza
Like Hogg, Koroma and Mbenza lack any genuine competition for their starting spots. Diakhaby’s recent showings have been poor by even the low bar he has set himself previously. That just leaves Danny Ward or Jaden Brown out of their preferred positions among the first team as wide options and maybe Rowe from the B team.
Thankfully Mbenza and Koroma are on pretty decent form and will hopefully continue against Cardiff. While Koroma got the winning goal against Boro, Mbenza’s running off the ball really stood out at the weekend and even when he didn’t get the ball he was able to draw defenders away and create space for his teammates.
There may be a temptation to play Danny Ward against his former employer but I’d prefer to see Campbell keep his place in the team. If a striker scores in one game then he shouldn’t be dropped in the next one unless something is wrong. Ward, in my eyes, will have to come off the bench and prove he’s worth a starting spot. So far his brief cameos haven’t been good enough to make this case.
Hamer back for Schofield for me. This isn’t the time for sentiment. Schofield didn’t fill himself with glory for Middlesbrough’s first goal – through his legs, beaten at his near post.
Otherwise the team is starting to pick itself. Obviously when Pipa’s fit, he’ll come straight back in at full back. This then does at least open up one or two options in midfield with Bacuna and Pritchard (when fit). I’ve not seen enough of Daly to know if he’s up to the job.
I’d be happy with either Schofield or Hamer. It’s nice to have options in that position. I’m less convinced about Pereira but he’s now third choice so might not play again for Town.
I would like to see Schindler return for the reasons you suggest but would also like to see REG keep his place, either at right back or in a back three. I do not like Bacuna at relight back. He makes too many mistakes and can do less damage further up the field.
You’re right about Bacuna but he seems to keep getting picked despite regularly being poor in matches. Plenty of ability but his mentality let’s him down.
Last ditch team changes for me. I’m now going for 3 at the back with Edmonds-Green, Schindler & Sarr. Wingbacks in Bacuna & Toffolo. Hogg & O’Brien in the centre of midfield (Eiting an impact sub). Then I’m dropping Campbell for Ward. Against his old club, maybe he’ll raise his game. Mbenza & Koroma on the flanks.
I don’t suppose Carlos will do this but it’s worth floating. We’ll know in 15 minutes.
Well, tonight’s selection has caught us all out.
Yep. I was way off once again. Looking forward to seeing how tonight’s team perform, should be interesting if nothing else.
Let’s hope there’s more of the ‘interesting’ and less of the ‘nothing else’!
In part, yes. I did say bring back Hamer and bring Ward in for Campbell. I didn’t foresee Duhaney’s return nor Daly starting. I can’t quite see how the team he’s picked lines up. We’ll know soon enough.
I’d guess Daly is on the wing and it’s the usual system. Most likely on the left so he can cut in on his right foot.
I don’t see that. Daly is not a winger plus that means repositioning Koroma.
Well it’s all over. Looking forward to your match report and to see if any Town player scores more than 5.
Steven Chicken generously gave 4 players a 6 in the Examiner last night. That means 7 of the starting XI scored 5 or less. Will you tell it like it was? I.e. utterly pathetic. I’m still feeling angry this morning!
Morning Simon, I’ve just uploaded my player ratings article here:
https://terrierspirit.com/im-struggling-to-think-of-the-thing-hes-good-at-player-ratings-for-huddersfield-towns-3-0-defeat-to-cardiff/
I’ve not totted it up but I think i gave at least a couple 6s and the rest lower. I thought Eiting had some good moments and it’s hard to blame Hamer for much of last night. The rest were pretty shambolic.
Defending like that would embarrass any amateur team, shameful for a professional team.