Huddersfield Town take on Coventry this afternoon in a rare Saturday three o’clock kickoff. Depending on your outlook, the game is a chance for Town to keep the possibility of a top-two finish alive, a chance to keep their form going and achieve the highest possible league position or it’s of little more consequence than a preseason friendly.
As you’d expect, Carlos spoke in his press conference about how he is only focusing on this game, wants to respect the integrity of the competition and isn’t worrying about the playoffs yet. But we’ve heard him say something similar before cup games and then made wholesale changes anyway. I have a suspicion that he won’t rest the entire best eleven because he’ll want to maintain momentum and injuries means he’s already forced into a few unwelcome changes.
Here’s how I think we’ll line up.
Goalkeeper: Nicholls
Obviously.
Defence: Pipa, Turton, Lees, Colwill, Toffolo
Coventry like to pass the ball about, so I think Town will set up to allow them to keep possession and to soak up pressure. Not only has this tactic worked well recently against Middlesbrough but it could be a style we want to play against teams in the playoffs too, so a back five gives us a solid defensive base to start from and Pipa and Toffolo can push forward when the opportunity is there.
Naby Sarr can feel genuinely aggrieved to be dropped in favour of Colwill after putting in some superb recent performances but the Chelsea loanee is fit again and needs game time to get back up to speed. While I love Naby Sarr, Colwill is a classier option and should play if available.
The benefit of a back five is that Carlos doesn’t have to choose between his two right backs and can instead play both, with Turton converting to a right sided central defender. Then Pipa has more licence to get forward as Turton can drop in to cover when Pipa makes those dribbles infield that he is fond of.
Midfield: Hogg, Russell, O’Brien
All three of our central midfield options have played quite a lot lately and Scott High or Carel Eiting could come in to replace one of them. But I can’t see it happening. Rest is good but there’s something to be said for staying sharp too, so I think we’ll field the strongest possible midfield to start with but maybe give at least one of this trio half a rest by subbing them off part way through the second half.
If this is to be one of those games where Town have to defend for long periods then Jon Russell’s positioning and defensive work rate will be put under pressure. He tends to drop too deep and stands off attackers rather than gets up in their faces. Some small tweaks to his approach can fix these issues but it needs to happen soon to stop these bad habits becoming ingrained into his style of play.
Attack: Rhodes, Holmes
Sinani, Koroma and Thomas are all injured so Holmes seems to be a certain pick. Danny Ward is back in training but I think he’ll be on the bench given Rhodes’ fine form and the fact there’s no need to take risks with his fitness.
I’d worry that Holmes and Rhodes don’t have explosive pace or bags of tricks up their sleeve so we could do with some flair at the top end of the field. Tino Anjorin, fit-again (for now) Rolando Aarons or Danny Grant could be wildcard options to freshen up the attack but I’d expect their best chance of getting minutes will come from the bench.
We need to continue the momentum of the last few games.I would be happy with a dull 0-0 draw.Also similar with Bristol City next week just grind out a draw.Then go into the playoffs with Sorba Thomas fit and the whole team with all guns blazing
There’s a very slim chance of getting second place, bu I’d wait until Forest or Bournemouth are easily winning before introducing perhaps Arrons, Rowe or Grant so that any butterflies they may have would be over and done with before the playoffs, just incase they were to be needed. Hopefully they won’t be needed but I imagine the playoffs are going to be physically and emotionally draining for all involved.
There are so many different ways CC could approach this game not having a recognised corner or free kick taker is likely to be a problem for me , he has to play what he thinks is his best eleven .Its going to be a tough game Coventry are no push over and frankly I would be more than happy with a draw