Huddersfield Town ratings as injury time QPR equaliser denies vital win
Marks out of ten from yet another 1-1 draw in a relegation six-pointer
Lee Nicholls - 7
Had little in the way of shots to deal with but did a good job on all the crosses that came his way, bar one inswinging corner that thankfully curled wide of his far post after he was caught unsighted and wrong-footed. Would have expected better from his defence on the QPR goal.
Brodie Spencer - 6
Started at right-back as Darren Moore changed his formation to a back four. Had a tough battle against Ilias Chair that he got the better of, but limited in his effect on the ball. Will have been mightily relieved to see Elijah Dixon-Bonner shoot narrowly wide after his stray pass gave the QPR sub the opportunity.
Tom Lees - 9
Made numerous important interventions in the first half and even played a couple of useful forward balls that put Town into the final third. Played a key role in the free kick from which Jack Rudoni scored — though replays suggested Lees was offside — and came up with a massive block to deny QPR an equaliser…only for them to go and score one anyway.
Michal Helik - 6
Had to play with great caution after earning an early yellow card. Put a presentable header over the bar early int he second half, albeit under heavy pressure from his marker. Was hurt in a collision with Sam Field midway through the second half that forced him to depart soon after.
Ben Jackson - 4
Solid but unspectacular. Generally did well in his individual battle with Chris Willock, but like Spencer was unable to offer much of an attacking threat with a particular unwillingness to take his crossing opportunities. Could have done more to close down the cross for the late equaliser.
Alex Matos - 6
Playing in a local derby of sorts, given his loan status from Chelsea. Sat alongside Jonathan Hogg as the midfield pair in the new-look 4-2-3-1, with a bit of license to step out and make it more of a 4-3-3. Is learning to use his defensive robustness in the right places but still making some wrong decisions on the ball in the final third.
Jonathan Hogg - 7
Looked more at home in the new system and a constant winner of loose balls in a stretched central midfield, and played some useful early crossfield balls.
Sorba Thomas - 7
Lively as ever, and enjoyed more success getting up the flanks after switching to the left having found himself drifting inside from the right. Supplied from promising set piece deliveries in amongst some less useful balls, but his crossed free kick towards the end of the game was the source of the winner.
Jack Rudoni - 6
Operated as a number ten and was the first player Town looked to through the middle whenever they got forward with the ball, but proved unable to put that to sufficiently good use with a particular tendency towards heavy touches. Dropped back in alongside Hogg after Josh Koroma’s introduction. Was in the right place at the right time to apply the finish for a vital match-winning goal, earning him credit in an otherwise middling performance.
Rhys Healey - 4
Started on the left wing to enable Moore’s change of shape, before switching across to the right midway through the first half. Had a mixture of positive and poor touches, producing a couple of dodgy backwards passes in his own half but also looking the most likely to do something in the opposition box in the first half. Went up top alongside Radulovic for the closing stages but was functionally anonymous.
Bojan Radulovic - 6
Made his first start for the club playing as a lone striker. Struggled to get into the game at first with so much of the action taking place on the flanks and Town unable to carve out clear crossing opportunities beyond their many set pieces. More effective at stretching the QPR defence after the break and had a looping header turned over the bar.
Substitutes
Radinio Balker (for Helik 70) - Came on for his debut in place of the injured Helik. Played his part in Town’s goal but much too soft in the air for the QPR equaliser, then put his side under pressure again with another poor header as the hosts pushed for a winner. 4
Josh Koroma (for Matos 76) - Took over from Healey on the right wing as Town went 4-4-2. Brought something different to the Town attack. 6
Matty Pearson (for Spencer 90+9) - Made his return from injury in a brief cameo. n/a
Unused subs: Giosue Bellagambi, Brahima Diarra, Tom Iorpenda, David Kasumu, Ben Wiles, Kyle Hudlin.
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