Huddersfield Town player ratings from 3-2 defeat away to Cardiff
Goals from Leo Castledine and Joe Taylor ultimately counted for nothing as the league leaders scored three times to take the victory
Lee Nicholls - 5
Had mostly routine work to do again and helpless to stop the goals as he was given too much of his line to cover by crosses to the back post and doundly beten by the late third. . Distribution poor throughout the game.
Lasse Sorensen - 6
Poor lad. Given two men to try and handle all on his own at right-back too many times, including as Cardiff opened the scoring. Did everything he could in the circumstances and showed good persistence to help create Town’s late second goal.
Joe Low - 6
Gave the ball away in his own half on one occasion in an otherwise solid first half. Lost track of Salech’s run as Cardiff restored their lead - a shame as he did a lot of useful defending over the rest of the game, reading the game well to make numerous calm interceptions.
Radinio Balker - 3
All over the shop again: gave the ball away in his own half (but then immediately won it back), was soft in the air against Salech as Cardiff nearly doubled their lead late in the first half, and over-committed to a tackle on the way to the hosts firing themselves back in front. Looked knackered by the time he went off with 12 minutes to go.
Ruben Roosken - 4
Made a really poor start and gave Yousef Salech too much time and space to put away the opener. Grew into the game after the first 15 minutes and became decent on the ball, a mixed bag off it.
We’ll have five conclusions on this game this evening plus our thoughts on the game on our weekly podcast on Monday. If you’re not a paying backer, you can sign up for a 7-day free trial to get our full reaction — or you can give a gift subscription for Christmas if you’re after a stocking filler
Ben Wiles - 3
Was caught wandering in no-man’s land while Cardiff were on the attack way too often, which proved costly on the early goal and led to a near-identical situation in first-half injury time that Town were lucky Salech put over the bar. Started to play more of a part in Town’s build-up in the second half, but a poor performance overall.
Ryan Ledson - 4
Part of a midfield four that never really go going in a very flat first half, much to Town’s detriment. Had a decent effort deflected off target. Booked for a rash challenge in the second half and will now be suspended for the trip to Northampton. Good ball out to Sorensen late on on the way to Joe Taylor’s goal.
Marcus Harness - 6
The best performer in an underwhelming midfield. Helped build from the back and worked hard to try and win the ball in the press — fruitfully so, on a couple of occasions. Put it on the place for Leo Castledine to score from his corner.
Leo Castledine - 5
The goal helps him out a lot here. At least he was trying, but defending in wide positions just is not his game — he struggled with it again like he did against Luton. But just like against Luton, he pulled one of of the locker to get Town level, smashing Harness’ corner home from inside the D with a little help from a small deflection that helped it beat the keeper. Taken off just after the hour after continuing to struggle at the back.
Dion Charles - 6
Absolutely tireless as usual in the press and when chasing down balls in behind the Cardiff defence, and did really well to keep a couple of moves alive. Would have liked to have been busier an didn’t have a shot to speak of.
Bojan Radulovic - 6
Did a lot of good stuff with not a lot in the first half, but perhaps should have put away Town’s best chance of the opening 45 minutes as he put a side-footed volley narrowly wide from a corner.
Substitutes
Cameron Ashia (for Castledine 65) - Plenty of running but unable to change Town’s fortunes. 6
Joe Taylor (for Charles 65) - Had a deflected shot cleared off the line from a corner. Made sure the ball made it over the line as Robertson slid in and turned Sorensen’s ball towards his own goal. 6
Alfie May (for Radulovic 78) - Barely got a touch. n/a
Murray Wallace (for Balker 78) - n/a
David Kasumu (for Harness 87) - n/a
Unused substitutes: Owen Goodman, Sean Roughan.
We want your ratings too! Head here to cast your votes.