Huddersfield Town player ratings from narrow victory over Shrewsbury

Callum Marshall's first half strike was enough to earn the Terriers a third straight league win out of three

Lee Nicholls - 8

Stopped John Marquis in the first two minutes by coming off his line, though the Shrewsbury striker was offside as it turned out. Got a crucial touch onto Tommi O’Reilly’s shot as Shrewsbury went close to an immediate equaliser in the first half, tipping his curler onto the crossbar. Another good stop just before the half hour to deny another Marquis effort.

Tom Lees - 6

Looked unusually off his game through much of the first half hour or so, allowing more to get past him than we are used to and showing some sloppiness with the ball on some of his early touches. Got better from there, though, and no issue at all second half.

Michal Helik - 7

Had one or two hairy moments against Marquis but overall reliable, helping Town keep their clean sheet.

Brodie Spencer - 5

Put in the cross from which Town took the lead, albeit with a slight deflection then a header from a defender on its way through to Callum Marshall. A bit fortunate to get away with dithering on the ball a bit at times, allowing Shrewsbury to block his attempts to play forward. Had to go off with what looked to be a shoulder injury after the blameless Tom Bloxham landed full force on top of Spencer after being tackled.

Lasse Sorensen - 6

Got forward well, as we know he will. A little soft with his defending at times, looking a little bit unwilling to commit at times when it might have been appropriate.

Antony Evans - 5

Got his header wrong from Mickel Miller’s cross, looping a very presentable cross onto the top of the net. Worked hard but not at his best on the ball.

Jonathan Hogg - 5

Poked a shot over the bar from close range off a set piece. A bit overloaded at times when Shrewsbury looked to counter but dealt with it as best he could. Took some oddly poor touches when receiving the ball head-on.

Ben Wiles - 6

Put in some really solid work off the ball, particularly when coming back to make recovery challenges, and subtly influential on it at times with his positioning and some crafty little touches — mixed in with some heavier attempts to control it that got away from him.

Mickel Miller - 8

Best player on the pitch. Constantly found space for a big switch of play and used it well. Provided a dangerous low cross in the opening few minutes that should have been finished off but neither Danny Ward nor Marshall were able to connect, then put another on Marshall’s head with his right foot. Won the ball well and protected it well when in possession.

Danny Ward - 7

Good runs and played some nice little smart touches to help link back to the midfield as Town worked it forward. More and more of a threat as the game went on, with one excellent run leading to a great cross for Marshall that the goalkeeper saved.

Callum Marshall - 7

Into the side in Josh Koroma’s place. Unable to capitalise on two early Miller crosses, not quite getting to the first at the back post then seeing his header saved by Toby Savin’s feet ten minutes later. Third time was the charm as he read the game superbly to get into position for a touch off the top of Aaron Pierre’s head to fire Town into the lead. Denied from point blank range on the hour by good goalkeeping.

Substitutes

Matty Pearson (for Spencer 51) - Went on for the injured Spencer but took up Lees’ place on the right of the back three, with Lees going left. Generally solid performance. 7

Josh Koroma (for Marshall 67) - Twice played a part in creating moves that Healey couldn’t finish off, with one through ball for Rhys Healey particularly incisive. Put an absolute sitter against the crossbar but was offside anyway, which technically means it never happened. 7

Rhys Healey (for Ward 67) - Back from the knock that kept him out against Steveage last weekend. Shot wide moments after coming on and wasted a one-on-one with the keeper after going clean through. Continued in a frustrating vein thereafter. 4

David Kasumu (for Evans 68) - Brought a fresh injection of energy into the Town midfield, working well with Koroma. Great cross for Koroma as he hit the woodwork only to be spared blushes by the post. 7

Tom Iorpenda (for Wiles 90+4) - n/a

Unused substitutes: Chris Maxwell, Jaheim Headley

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