Huddersfield Town player ratings from comfortable win over Bristol Rovers
Goals from Matty Pearson, Callum Marshall and Bojan Radulovic meant the game was already killed off by the time the visitors responded in a 3-1 win for the Terriers
Jacob Chapman - 6
Lovely pass to set Nigel Lonwijk on his way to setting up Callum Marshall’s goal. Didn’t have a single shot to deal with for over an hour, but did spill a crossed free kick and then had to get it right has he responded to re-gather it before an opponent got there — but did so. Got a hand to Isaac Hutchinson’s looping shot but was unable to keep it out.
Matty Pearson - 8
Looked really at it from minute one and put in an incredible shift at both ends of the field, winning multiple tackles all over the pitch. Finished well to give Town the lead after Rovers were unable to deal with an in-swinging corner.
Tom Lees - 7
Back in the side for a league game in the absence of the suspended Brodie Spencer. Had a looping header cleared off the line by Scott Sinclair in the first half after getting away from his man on a corner. Helped Town dig in line on and made a few important interceptions and aerial challenges.
Nigel Lonwijk - 8
Tried to play forward as much as possible with his passing, but didn’t always have the accuracy he wanted in the early going. Fabulous drive forward and nutmegged through ball to find Marshall to double Town’s lead, however, and continued to be an important part of Town’s build-up play thereafter. Wound up the opposition a bit, which we don’t mind.
Lasse Sorensen - n/a
Suffered an injury in the first few minutes and had to go off.
David Kasumu - 7
A typically busy performance from the midfielder. Took over at wing-back for the final ten minutes.
Herbie Kane - 7
Offered what we know he’s capable of on the ball, especially in the first half, looking after it well even under pressure in limited space.
Mickel Miller - 7
Looked sharp and gave his man constant issues up the Town left. Picked his spots for balls into the box more than usual and it paid off as he teed up Bojan Radulovic for his goal with a well-placed ball across the face of goal. A bit of a demerit to his score for losing possession so cheaply on the edge of the Town third let Lino Sousa race through on goal before shooting wide — would have been a nervy finish if that had gone in.
Ben Wiles - 8
Continues to look more at home in his lone number 10 role. Kept the play moving well, created danger from set pieces — including the one Lees had headed off the line and the one Pearson scored from — and put good balls into the box from open play, too. Lovely work.
Bojan Radulovic - 7
Connected the play well again by dropping deep, and often the man Town worked through to get from the flanks to find Wiles in space. Had a couple of poor touches in front of goal before getting his first of the season with a tap-in off Miller’s ball across the face of goal. Enjoyed that one, didn’t he? And he deserved it.
Callum Marshall - 8
Had a deflected effort saved on the half hour with Radulovic unable to do anything with the rebound. Rovers tried to push him around but he was having none of it and stood his ground well. Took his goal brilliantly, and continued to test the Rovers defence and the goalkeeper for the rest of his time on the pitch.
Substitutes
Ollie Turton (for Sorensen 7) - Got his longest league outing of the season and just slotted straight into the side. Made good runs up the right and made himself available well. 7
Danny Ward (for Marshall 78) - Continued his comeback with more minutes. Pressed well to stop Rovers building towards a second goal, and tried to send Ladapo away to well and truly kill the game off with a smart pass. Just what Town needed in a scrappy final few minutes. n/a
Freddie Ladapo (for Radulovic 79) - Helped see out the game. Unable to turn on the afterburners to make the most of a promising late opening, but put himself about well to help try and keep the ball upfield. n/a
Antony Evans (for Kane 79) - Appeared against his former club. n/a
Jonathan Hogg (for Turton 85) - Took over in defensive midfield with Kasumu going to wing-back. Made an important intervention in injury time to stop Rovers getting into the box after Lonwijk and Pearson were beaten. 6
Unused substitutes: Chris Maxwell, Jaheim Headley
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