Huddersfield Town player ratings as fightback comes too late vs Coventry
Marks out of ten as the Terriers slip to a fifth straight game without a win
Lee Nicholls - 6
Slightly wrong-footed on Ellis Simms’ opener and Coventry’s late effort, but both were well-struck efforts. Left exposed by his defence as the visitors doubled their lead.
Matty Pearson - 6
Started in a hybrid centre-back/right-back role that then became a straightforward full-back berth midway through the first half, then back to centre-back after Brodie Spencer went on. Had a decent outing overall but let his frustrations show on a couple of occasions.
Michal Helik - 5
Outdone by a bit of Simms trickery on the outside edge of the box as Coventry opened the scoring.
Radinio Balker - 3
Failed to win a 50/50 ball on the way to Coventry’s second goal, then compounded that by failing to adequately track Simms into the box despite initially having him covered — simply seemed to give up running. Inexcusably poor, especially after Town conceded such similar goals against Cardiff and West Brom. Went off injured early in the second half.
David Kasumu - 5
Started at wing-back with Brodie Spencer rested following the Northern Irishman’s busy international break, and had a poor start to the game but then moved into central midfield as Andre Breitenreiter switched to a 4-2-3-1 on the half hour. Naturally looked more at home in that role, and went close with a long-range strike shortly before the break that hit the outside of the post. At times was the only Town player to show any real mobility and determination to find space.
Alex Matos - 7
Caused Coventry some issues with his direct work on the ball, particularly early on, and put himself about well as we have come to expect. Up and down with some really impressive moments mixed in with some where his inexperience showed, but overall positive.
Jonathan Hogg - 7
Frustrated to have been left to cover two men in the build-up to the opener and unable to get enough on his challenge to bail Balker out on halfway as Coventry got their second. Won pretty well every other marginal ball that was put his way by the opposition, and distributed it well.
Jack Rudoni - 7
Started in midfield before moving out to the right wing. Got into good positions in both roles and played a part in most of Town’s better moves (and there were a few). End product was lacking once again, not helped by a general lack of runners ahead of him who weren’t in offside positions. Hit the bar with Town’s best chance to that point early in the second half.
Jaheim Headley - 4
Pretty anonymous throughout the first half. Lost the ball unnecessarily in his own half on more than one occasion through inattention and was lucky to get away with it.
Josh Koroma - 4
With Sorba Thomas suspended, made his first start since Breitenreiter’s managerial bow away to Watford. Didn’t make the most of his audition despite a decent work rate.
Delano Burgzorg - 2
Has ascended into a higher state of perpetual offside once thought impossible by physicists and football coaches alike. Still not fond of passing the ball unless he has the chance to chip it directly onto the hip of a teammate or back-heel it to absolutely nobody in particular.
Substitutes
Brodie Spencer (for Balker 54) - Replaced the injured Balker and and got straight into the action, finally offering Town an out-and-out wide player up the right and covering well at the back. Needed to be sharper to get to Haji Wright before he finished in stoppage time. 5
Pat Jones (for Hogg 64) - Wasn’t put on the ball enough, but caused Coventry a few moments of panic with his pace and trickery and forced a good save late on. Could be a really important addition to Breitenreiter’s squad for the final run-in. 7
Ben Wiles (for Kasumu 64) - In the right place at the right time to provide the assist for Rhys Healey’s strike. 6
Giosue Bellagambi Rhys Healey (for Burgzorg 64) - Made his return from nearly two months out injured to bag his first goal for the club after forcing an error out of the goalkeeper. Promising outing. 7
Bojan Radulovic (for Koroma 76) - Partnered Healey for the closing stages. n/a
Unused substitutes: Chris Maxwell, Tom Edwards, Ben Jackson, Tom Iorpenda.
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