Huddersfield Town player ratings as Birmingham inflict fourth straight loss

Michael Duff's side started well at St Andrew's but showed signs of flagging late in the first half and were under constant siege after the break in a 1-0 loss

Jacob Chapman - 7

Kept his place ahead of returning substitute Chris Maxwell with Lee Nicholls set to be sidelined for a good while. Tipped Jay Stansfield’s free kick over the bar midway through the first half, with Birmingham wasting all their better efforts without testing the keeper before finally scoring. Solid on set pieces and made a couple of good saves late on to keep Town in with a hope.

Matty Pearson - 7

Targeted by Birmingham long balls repeatedly, and struggled with one or two in the early going before getting his eye in. Finished the game well as Town came under more and more pressure.

Tom Lees - 6

Wore the captain’s armband in the heart of the defence. Made a couple of important interception late in the first half as the rest of the Town side tired towards the interval and strong on aerial crosses. Unable to stop Stansfield getting past him to set up Alfie May’s goal without risking committing a foul. Sacrificed late on in a tactical switch

Brodie Spencer - 8

Started at centre-back having been at wing-back on Saturday. Made a really bright start to the game at both ends of the pitch and kept that going with a brilliantly composed and controlled performance for most of the game before looking a bit leggy later on, allowing Birmingham to find more joy up his side. Had set himself up to be dribbled by Alfons Sampsted as he instead passed around Spencer to find Stansfield in the box on the way to Birmingham’s goal. Brilliant late block at the back post in the last minute of normal time that he was somehow able to turn over the crossbar.

Lasse Sorensen - 6

Restored to the side and like the rest of the side, showed plenty of running and willing. Not quite able to get back to May as he tapped home just after the hour, but made a great block to stop an Emil Hansson shot in a similar scenario.

Antony Evans - 5

Tested Ryan Allsop with a direct free kick in the first half. Put in a shift but had fewer and fewer opportunities to get on the ball as the game went on. Can’t fault the effort off the ball but needed more on it.

David Kasumu - 8

Retained in the starting line-up but moved to the defensive midfield role — at least nominally, as he was often as high in the press as anyone else, yet still usually the fastest man back to help out as required. May well have stopped two Birmingham goals in the first half with his efforts on that front. Absolutely tireless in his ball-winning efforts. Could scarcely have done more before his late substitution.

Ben Wiles - 5

Another back into the starting line-up after playing from the bench against Reading. More like it with his work rate and provided a useful fulcrum just outside the Birmingham box on some early attacks during Town’s positive start to the game. Scarcely noticeable for a large period of the game before playing a few balls around the sides and over the top late on that the front two didn’t do enough with.

Mickel Miller - 5

Bit of a game of two halves. Made his first start since the hamstring injury that kept him out for most of last month. Shot wide from a decent unmarked position about 30 seconds into the game. Caught upfield as Birmingham took the lead, and finished the game unconvincingly after a good first half.

Bojan Radulovic - 5

In for his first start of the season in any competition. Put in plenty of hard yards in the press, making numerous tackles, and worked hard to try and get on the end of crosses, but to no avail.

Callum Marshall - 6

Phenomenal defensive effort, as ever, playing a key role in helping keep Birmingham in their own half for sustained periods. Departed, as is customary, on the hour having run his blood to water.

Substitutes

Freddie Ladapo (for Marshall 60) - Came on at centre-forward but was pretty anonymous. 4

Josh Koroma (for Radulovic 60) - Immediately into the fray to chase a ball over the top but was blocked off before he could shoot. Didn’t get much more in front of goal after that. 4

Joe Hodge (for Lees 77) - Played on the left side of a 4-4-2 diamond in a roll of the dice from Michael Duff. 6

Jonathan Hogg (for Kasumu 77) - Took over Kasumu’s holding role. 6

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