Huddersfield Town will play Plymouth in the third round of the FA Cup this evening. While all the “magic of the cup” clichés are trotted out as usual, it’s hard not to feel like this is just lip service when most clubs will be fielding dramatically weakened sides in a bid to rest their first team players.
I strongly suspect Huddersfield Town will be no different to other clubs and will play a second string team of mostly youngsters. Anyone that remembers the friendlies against Bradford and Manchester United U23s friendlies will recall that it was actually quite entertaining to watch our academy lads being given a chance. So I’m hoping Carlos does shuffle the pack a bit for this fixture and gives us a chance to see some of our future stars. It’s possible that players that do well today could push themselves into contention to play in league matches
Goalkeeper: Hamer
Schofield has done remarkably well since coming in to cover Hamer. I’m not sure if this game will be Hamer’s return to being our preferred keeper or just a chance to rest Schofield. Maybe Carlos hasn’t decided either and this game is a chance for Hamer to prove his worth. It’s possible that it may be another chance for Pereira to show what he can do but that would feel harsh on Hamer, who was doing OK until Schofield stepped in.
Defence: Duhaney, Olagungu, Crichlow, Brown
I’ve got my doubts about Duhaney’s quality but he deserves a chance to prove his doubters wrong in this match. It’s possible that an opponent from lower down the leagues might be a good chance as I think that might be his natural level.
Mustapha Olagunju recently returned from his loan spell at Woking Welling [thanks to Ian for pointing out my error in the comments] so may take the right hand slot of central defense. I thought Edmonds-Green would be likely to start given he’s played fewer games than the rest of the first team but Carlos confirmed yesterday he definitely won’t as the medical team rate him a high injury risk. Olagunju looked like a strong, commanding centreback in the preseason friendlies despite his young age. He’s likely to be a bit rough around the edges but he’s not going to get pushed around and has a bit of class on the ball. I remember a few charges upfield when he saw an opportunity and he’s shown an eye for goal in the B Team, so he should be entertaining to watch.
Romoney Crichlow made a man of the match performance in his only Championship game but has seen his chances limited by Naby Sarr’s arrival and the need to play Edmonds-Green, another youngster, on the right side of defence. Like a lot of young central defenders, he might struggle with the physical battles that come with men’s football but he does look to have quality on the ball and has pace that can help him out of any positional errors.
While Harry Toffolo has started every game so far this season, its hard to see that continuing today. Jaden Brown has had to be patient in waiting for his chance since Toffolo arrived so will hope to set down a marker in this game. I was really impressed with how well he did last season so have no concerns about him coming in today.
Midfield: Vallejo, Scott High, Pritchard
I wasn’t particularly excited when Vallejo’s signing was announced as he’s a bit of a journeyman, never really holding a regular place down at any of his previous clubs. His lack of minutes despite Town’s squad having been stretched so thin suggests he’s a good way off the level if the best eleven.
After returning from his season-long loan at Shrewsbury early, I think Scott High may be granted a chance to prove he can compete for a place in our squad. It sounds like his time on loan started well (he scored a screamer on his debut) but he became a peripheral figure towards the end due to the club changing manager and struggling at the bottom end of the league. It’s possible that he may be better suited to playing at a higher level with better players around him though, so I’m keen to see more of him. Ignore all of that, after clicking publish I then read that Scott High is cup-tied for this game, so can’t possibly feature.
Instead I’d like to see Ben Jackson given a run out. He started in midfield against Norwich earlier in the season but struggled to get a foothold in the game. But in the friendlies he had looked very classy, possibly one of the best passers we have at the club. He can ping balls all over the pitch with either his left or right foot and has good vision. The challenge for him will be to get stuck into the action and show for the ball in tight spaces.
One of the most contentious topics in this blog’s comments section is Alex Pritchard. Few Town fans think he’s done well this season but there’s a divide about whether he’s likely to be able to turn his poor form around. While it’s a long time since we saw him at his best, he’s capable of doing great things and Carlos has shown an ability to get the best out of players. But he’s had so many opportunities and has a mountain to climb to prove he’s worth keeping on beyond this summer when his contract expires. Today is a big chance for him to show what he’s made of (his injury record suggests he’s made of wet cardboard and cornflakes but not exactly what I meant).
Forwards: Rowe, Phillips, Grant
I’m a bit puzzled by Aaron Rowe. He played for us in the Premier League against West Ham and has made very little outward progress since then. The recent winger crisis should have been a chance for him to get some game time but clearly he’s not doing enough in training to force his way into the starting eleven. Whenever he plays he looks lightning quick but doesn’t always use it effectively (sound familiar?). Carlos prefers him as a rightback but with Duhaney being an option in that role and the lack of other wingers it makes me think he’ll play in his old position today.
There wasn’t enough time to get an idea of what Keiran Phillips is about in the brief cameo he had against Reading but his scoring record in the B Team speaks for itself. Having an instinct to score, whatever the level, is a rare skill, so I hope he can bring his tendency to finish chances to the first team today.
Danny Grant won’t start today as he’s currently in the process of being broken into our training regimen and isn’t ready yet. His body will be adjusting from training twice a week to twice a day and no doubt he’ll be a way off being in the kind of shape Carlos expects. Instead we’ll see Pat Jones start on the wing, which will be interesting to see as he’s an exciting prospect. He’s raw but has incredible speed and an eye for goal. Professional adult players aren’t as generous in defence as youth team players, so it will be intriguing to see if he has the tricks and skill to get past experienced players.
There are some other options for the wings that I don’t think will start today. Diakhaby may be trusted though he’s recently had a foot injury and it’s possible that he’s exhausted his most recent chance from the new coaching set up and we’ve seen the last of him already. Matty Daly, though not really a winger, could be tried out wide again as there’s tougher opposition for his preferred position in the midfield. Rolando Aarons will not start because he’s just arrived but I think he’ll be on the bench and could be given a few minutes to help bed him in.
you wont be far out in your selection because town have to see further than today and give inin some of the youngsters game time is correct whatever the result. the fa cup is being under valued with covid and for me we should not be playing football when the country is at this moment high risk. that’s my view but so many confusing messages are not improving the situation
Your team selection today should raise more comments than normal as the team certainly doesnt pick itself. One thing that I hope we don’t do is judge Pritchard (and I am one of his biggest critics) on the basis of his performance today – for sure, if he plays well give him the plaudits, but if he fails again then it mist be borne in mind that the players around him are not the same quality as we would normally see. so it would be unfair to hang him out to dry again. Eiting and Bacuna would probably benefit from another game to get back into their rhythm, as would Edmonds-Green after a poor showing against Reading but realistically none of them are going to be risked. It would be great to see Rolando Aarons and Danny Grant but this game will probably come too soon for them but hopefully Kieran Phillips gets the opportunity to show what he can do. I beleive Diakhaby is injured but this is a game that he would have been worthy of starting in. Why does Kian Harratt not get a mention these days? Is he injred? So for me, the only differences to your selection would be a 4-4-2 with Vallejo in the back four instead of Olagunju (who has returned from 7th tier Worthing and not 5th tier Woking). Pritchard, Daly, Jackson as you said but with Diarra with added to the midfield. Phillips and Rowe upfront. If Plymouth field their strongest side then I fear a 3rd round exit, but defeat against Plymouth will not anger me like the defeat to Bournemouth did.
Welling not Worthing. Far too many W***ing to choose from here.
The match has just finished. What a load of complete rubbish!! I’m so glad I didn’t pay to watch it. If any of those Town players think they’re anywhere near close to ‘doing a job’ in the first team, well they need to think again.
simon for gods sake they are young lads coming through and im afraid its you that talks rubbish after your comments. lots to commend but im not surprised with your views. dont get as bad as some on datm etc.
I apologise, well partly. It’s the initial disappointment talking. But really, what would have been a fairer reflection of the scoreline? I don’t think 2-5 would have been unfair. So this team of wannabes was well beaten by a team in the lower part of League 1 and who haven’t won a league game away from home this season. So young lads or not, let’s agree what level they are currently playing at.
We lost the physical battle but that was to be expected but have no doubt we gave a good account of ourselves. .we really need to look at the wider situation and I repeat they can hold there heads up and xcarry on developing
The game gave us an opportunity to watch the young prospects, but that is all they are at the moment – prospects. Hamer, Crichlow, Brown and Vallejo were our better performers, and show why they are worthy of being squad/fringe players – Vallejo in fact looked very assured after a shaky start and I liked the look of Camara in his cameo. What was clear was that the Plymouth players won their physical battles, and emphasised that the game started off as men against boys and ended up as men against mere babes. The biggest disappointment was Duhaney – at 22 years of age he really needs to be pushing for a starting place but he is not even worthy of a place on the bench based on that performance. But the biggest talking point is Pritchard – I can only assume that Carlos either has him pencilled in for a start against Watford, or that maybe he is on his way out of the club (and not played in the same way Karlan Grant was no played at the start of the season).
Just as an aside – all fans like a cup run, but lets assume there was no pandemic, we had gone progressed to the 4th round and we drew a big club at home in the next round. Lets not forget we were privileged to see these big clubs with full strength line ups not so long ago, so realistially how big an attraction would it be to see these big clubs with a line up of “who knows who’s” now? Unfortunately the reality of the matter is that the FA Cup is just not valued anymore.
Yes, Ian, that’s right – the TV tries to hype up the FA Cup but the reality is that it’s a tournament that is not cherished by the managers or players unless you’re a non-league club. It makes me very sad to see, to the point where I’d rather just have a blank weekend and just give all the first teams a break.
It has transpired that Pritchard had another sick note off his mum. He must have had another nosebleed!!!!
I agree, Ian. Duhaney was very poor; and yes Vallejo had a good second half. Brown looked like he was on some sort of mission to show he was better than his teammates but overplayed his hand I’m afraid.
And yes it was odd that there was no sign of Pritchard. My guess is that he’s on the move but we’ll know soon enough.
I had high hopes of seeing something from Phillips but saw nothing. The brightest youngster for me was the 17yr old Jones on the left wing; he showed some good control and was quick on the turn.
Sorry if these coments upset anyone, I thought Town were Awful, we were back to BC (before Carlos) they looked like a set of lads that had only met that evening, passing was poor, we gave the ball away far too many times, and when we received the ball the first movement was backwards, and compared to Plymouth we were playing walking football, they came with a plan and did it well, we scored two good goals the second being a cracker, but thought the score flattered us they could have had five, slightly better second half but never really created much, they should all be at canalside this morning for a dose of murderball, just glad I was at home in front of the fire watching it instead of on the Kilner Bank freezing,
lets hope the rumours about Pritchard are true and he is on his way, the FA Cup today only counts from the quarter finals on, shame.UTT
dear me with respect if you thought we were awfull you need tgo watchtiddleywinks because you certainly lack football knowledge but despite the misplaced passes we played some good football and anyone with half a football brain would see that. sorry to be so critical but please when giving a opinion which you and us all are entitled too think and learn
Dear Mr Tinker I would have been better watching Town play anything
but football last night, as a lifelong Town fan it might have been ok for you, but I honestly thought it was awful, if they had played like Brazil I would have said so and obviously you watched a different game to me.
UTT.
Hear hear, David. I’m afraid you can sugarcoat things and make excuses for youth, but I think if you’re a professional footballer you need to learn to take constructive criticism. One of the buzz words these days is ‘resilience’. You can pay lots of money to be trained in being more ‘resilient’. There may occasionally be a place for it (the Town second string apparently need it) but if you keep telling a player he’s doing great and he isn’t, then it’s heading for a sad ending.