Huddersfield Town player ratings as new-look strike force superb in victory over Plymouth
Lee Grant's side ended their League One losing streak thanks to goals from Bojan Radulovic, Dion Charles and substitute Cameron Ashia in a convincing 3-1 win
Owen Goodman - 7
A surprise selection for his first league game since his red card against Barnsley in August. Dealt with everything he needed to and had no chance whatsoever with Plymouth’s late consolation goal.
Lasse Sorensen - 7
Went on the attack to good effect. Had most of his crosses blocked but had more joy playing diagonal balls from deep to find one of the strikers or Ben Wiles on the edge of the box.
Josh Feeney - 8
Went in the book early on for a late challenge that needed to be made. Another dependable performance, and twice stopped Owen Oseni from getting clean through on goal on the break in the first 20 minutes. Had a good header tipped over the bar from a corner
Radinio Balker - 8
Every bit as reliable as Feeney, with a sliding tackle just after the hour the highlight. We know how good he is on the ball, too. Went off just after the hour in what seemed to be a planned change having just returned from injury and played 90 minutes in midweek.
Ruben Roosken - 7
Kept his good form going after getting a well-deserved rest in midweek. Played some incisive balls up the line for Miller and provided an attacking threat in the final third himself.
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Ben Wiles- 7
Nominally playing off the right wing, but had a more or less free role to get in among Bojan Radulovic and Dion Charles to essentially make up a front three at times. A bit selfish with a couple of decisions to shoot in the first half, neither of which were anywhere near the target. Won a Lewis O’Brien-esque recovery tackle late in the first half to put Town onto an attack that was inches away from producing a goal, and played his part in the goal that came a couple of minutes later with a slide-rule pass for Charles. Couldn’t finish off Radulovic’s flick-on from a corner, but it worked out alright as Charles did the job instead.
Marcus Harness - 7
Carried on in central midfield after impressing in the role against Mansfield. Had to get his hands dirty with a few cynical fouls in the early going, which we don’t mind one bit. Played some excellent balls over the top or into the box to get Town in on goal.
Ryan Ledson - 8
Read the game well in all areas of the pitch, in particular stepping in to make clean challenges around the edge of the Town box several times in the first half. Absolutely clattered by a three late challenges over the course of the game, indicative of his willingness to put himself in harm’s way for the team. Played some lovely forward balls from halfway. Very much the kind of performance we want to see from the skipper.
Mickel Miller - 7
Struck up a good partnership with Roosken up the left side. Unlucky not to get an assist from a great low ball across the face of goal that Charles slid in to try and meet but just couldn’t quite get there.
Dion Charles - 9
What a week he’s had. Continued playing with the kind of confidence he did on Tuesday night and looked just as good doing it. Held the ball up well, gave Plymouth defenders the willies with his pressing, was a fraction of a second away from reaching Miller’s ball across the face of goal, then set up Radulovic for the opener moments later. Got free at the back post from a corner to finish off the loose ball from Radulovic’s flick-on. Set up Cameron Ashia’s goal after being alert to a loose ball then slipping the winger in.
Bojan Radulovic - 8
Combative, intelligent display that merited his tap-in to give Town the lead on the stroke of half time. Provided the near-post flick-on from Roosken’s corner on the way to Charles’ goal. Had another tap-in disallowed for an offside in the build-up — the whistle had already gone by the time he put it away. Got back at the right times to stop a couple of Plymouth attacks, too.
Substitutes
Cameron Ashia (for Miller 66) - Came on at a time when Town needed a fresh injection of attacking impetus and delivered it, forcing a stop out of Conor Hazard within minutes of his introduction after getting in off Ledson’s pass. Wonderful finish from outside the box to make it 3-0. 8
Sean Roughan (for Balker 67) - Took over at centre-back for the final stages. 6
Leo Castledine (for Wiles 76) - An unexpected but welcome addition to the squad after Lee Grant had told us he wouldn’t be available. 6
Lynden Gooch (for Roosken 76) - Saw out the game at left-back. 6
Joe Taylor (for Radulovic 90) - n/a
Unused substitutes: Lee Nicholls, Dan Vost.
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