We all know that Huddersfield Town’s current squad is likely to be very different to the one we have when the transfer window closes in October. However, I thought it might be interesting to look at the best starting eleven that could be put together based on the current squad.
I’ve used the 4-3-3 system, as the club has been very vocal about playing attacking football using this system. It does make it hard to fit players like Alex Pritchard into the system but he’s going to have to adjust if he wants to get game time at the club.
Goalkeeper: Schofield
This is an area that we are likely to strengthen but, as it stands, I’d like to see Ryan Schofield given a shot at the number one spot. We don’t know much about him but he’s always highly spoken of by coaches that he’s worked with. Hamer, while more experienced, carries more baggage with him and I’m not sure he’ll be able to overcome his past problems he’s had at Town.
Defence: Duhaney, Schindler,
Kongolo, Toffolo
Hadergjonaj is Duhaney’s competition at right back but I’d prefer to see us favour youth over players that have already failed at Town. Duhaney’s raw and may be better suited as an understudy to a more experienced right back, but for now I believe he is the best we have in this position.
Schindler, despite being right footed, has played the majority of his Town career on the left side of central defence. Moving to the right to accommodate Kongolo may unsettle the balance of the backline but it may be required.
We’ve seen the good and the bad parts of Kongolo in his time at the club. If Corberán can rekindle his desire to play for Town and get him playing like he did in the Premier League then he could be immense. He’s far more comfortable on the ball than any of our other defenders and could help with the transition to playing more attacking football by stepping out of defence with the ball.
Toffolo should thrive under the more attack-focused tactics we’re intended to move towards. He’s naturally inclined to overlap and provide width in attack. He’s also fit enough to cope with a more intense pressing approach too, so I’m expecting to see him really shine in the next season.
Midfield: Hogg, O’Brien, Bacuna
The three central midfielders are likely to lineup as an upside down triangle with a defensive midfielder at the base and two attack minded players ahead.
Jonathan Hogg is the obvious choice for the deeper lying role as he’s excelled in that position before. He had his ups and downs last season but I hope he’s one of our players that will benefit from a fresh start under a new coach.
Player of the Year and darling of Huddersfield Town’s social media team, Lewis O’Brien is well suited to playing in the more advanced midfield position. He’s got the energy to be a box to box midfielder and the lack of a number ten will mean he’s got more licence to burst into the box or drop into the channels.
You could argue that Juninho Bacuna is better as a right back or winger but I think his preferred position would be in central midfield. I’m not sure he’s got the football brain to thrive in a central role but he does have natural footballing ability. He needs to improve his discipline, consistency and decision making but if these things click into place then he’s got everything else he needs to be a top player.
Forwards: Grant, Mounié, Pritchard
Until Town’s valuation is met, Grant is our player and the unusual new world we live in could mean that clubs are less willing to splash the cash on Championship-level players (although Grant did play well for Town in the Premier League too). While there are areas in Grant’s all round game that need improvement, he’s a natural finisher and that’s always going to be valued.
It may be that Danny Ward is signed soon and will play as a central striker but until them I think Mounié is our best striker. Whether he can adjust to the new coach’s system remains to be seen but he was our top scorer after Grant last season and deserves a chance.
There’s no natural position for Alex Pritchard in the 4-3-3 shape but out wide is the most likely place for him. He’s played a few games wide left but if Grant takes that slot then I’d play him over on the right.
Some Town fans might like to see Diakhaby and Mbenza start for Town but I’m not so sure. Both have failed under the previous three Town managers, so I’ve no reason to think they’re suddenly going to blossom into brilliant players (but I’d be delighted to be wrong about them).
Is this team good enough to compete in the Championship?
I’m not sure this team would do well in the Championship. There are some major question marks:
- If we kept Grant then we’d have goal threat but he never really thrived when played alongside Mounié.
- Pritchard and Bacuna would be the players we’d look to for creative spark but both can go missing in games.
- Hogg and Schindler looked jaded for long spells of last season but also showed signs of their former glories too.
- Schofield and Duhaney are inexperienced and may not be ready for the Championship.
So this team could do well but there are a lot of potential problems. It’s clear that we need to add to the squad to be competitive. Even more so if Grant leaves.
I don’t like painting a negative picture as there’s a chance things could work out very well next season. But I must admit that I’m concerned the big talk from the hierarchy at the club won’t be matched on the pitch without some investment.