Huddersfield Town player ratings as Wigan deliver blow to top six hopes
The Terriers struck the woodwork twice in the first half before putting in a sub-par second half performance and losing 1-0 to Jensen Weir's deflected strike off a set peice
Lee Nicholls - 7
Out quickly to smother an early strike after Wigan got in on goal. Claimed what needed to be claimed. Was left wrong-footed by a slight deflection off Marcus Harness as Wigan took the lead just after the hour, having made a good stop to deny another chance from a corner moments before.
Radinio Balker - 7
Strong showing throughout the game. Battled well and did what he could to help the struggling Lasse Sorensen out without putting himself out of position. Unable to get a full connection on his headed clearance from a well-delivered set piece from which Wigan ultimately scored.
Murray Wallace - 6
Had to be bailed out by Nicholls after his poor touch let Dara Costelloe into the box early on, and took another poor touch late in the first half and needed Balker to help him out of trouble. Otherwise generally solid, though, and particularly brave to go in and win a header to stop a dangerous low Wigan cross
Sean Roughan - 5
Read the game really well on several occasions to cut out Wigan’s attempts to find a bit of joy on his side of the box. Lovely ball over the top for Ryan Hardie midway through the first half that forced the Wigan keeper to come out of his box to get there first. Had a strong first hour but looked a bit laboured on the ball after Town went 1-0 down, particularly with his set piece deliveries. Received the ire of the away end for curling a corner straight onto the top of the net then later curling one straight to the keeper. Picked up a late booking for a clumsy foul.
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Lasse Sorensen - 3
Had plenty of defending to do in the opening half hour as Wigan kept targeting his side of the pitch. Picked up a yellow card late in the first half, prompting Gary Caldwell to stick Joseph Hungbo on at the break to run at Sorensen. Taken off in a bid to stem the tide midway through the second half with Bali Mumba taking over at right-back.
Ryan Ledson - 6
Usually in the right spot to pick up a loose pass or make an interception around the halfway line in the first half, but quieter after the break.
Cameron Humphreys - 6
Great run and ball across the box for Ryan Hardie to hit the post on 18 minutes. Looked sharp on the ball in the first half and played some nice exchanges with Mumba in particular. Like Ledson, though, he got lost in the shuffle a bit for much of the second half.
Bali Mumba - 7
Had easily his best 45 minutes of football for Town as he was the best player on the pitch in the first half. Strong with his defending, linked up well with his teammates in attack, and had a decent effort deflected onto the woodwork on 36 minutes. Moved over to the right wing in a 4-4-2 soon after the break to help deal with Wigan’s threat down that flank, then to right-back ten minutes later to accommodate Cameron Ashia.
Marcus Harness - 5
Played a part in most of Town’s better moves in the first half. Had a looping headed turned around the post from on the line. Looked like he would have to give Sorensen more help in defence after the break given his yellow card, but picked up a booking of his own just six minutes after the restart, prompting Manning to move him across to the opposite wing. Unable to get more than a glancing touch on Jensen Weir’s strike as he tried to block it with his knee. Much more of a mixed bag playing off the left wing in the second half. Had a decent late strike well saved, with the Wigan keeper recovering in time to stop it bouncing over the line.
Alfie May - 4
Started at number 10 alongside Harness. Brighter showing from him early doors, and had a shot cleared off the line on the rebound from Hardie hitting the post that he maybe should have hit better. Had an overhead kick blocked off the rebound from Mumba’s effort, too. Unable to sustain his promising start however and was too sloppy with the ball at times. Briefly joined Hardie as an out-and-out centre-forward after the change to 4-4-2.
Ryan Hardie - 5
Made his first start for the club. Made useful runs throughout his time on the pitch. Hit the post with a low strike in Town’s first real effort of the game having done well to get the shot off under heavy pressure. Visibly very tired just before the hour and understandably subbed off.
Substitutes
Dion Charles (for May 58) - Received a rather unkind welcome onto the pitch from the away end. Looked to have done well to get across to stop Callum Wright’s cutback off a set piece, but failed to make a proper connection with the ball, which rolled on to Weir to smash home. Unable to offer anything up top on his own, which we already knew really. 4
Will Alves (for May 58) - Played just behind Charles in a 4-2-3-1. Have to give credit for his defensive work rate. Started a few attacks by winnign the ball, driving forward and finding a teammate. 6
Cameron Ashia (for Sorensen 68) - Came on to play on the right wing Picked up a knock moments after coming onto the pitch but was able to run it off. Again caused issues with his running, but his deliveries were consistently blocked. 5
Unused substitutes: Jak Alnwick, Josh Feeney, Antony Evans, David Kasumu.
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