Huddersfield Town player verdicts from 4-2 defeat to Aris Limassol
The Terriers fought back to equalise from 2-0 down before the Cypriot side restored their two-goal advantage
Minutes 1-63 (unless noted)
Chris Maxwell (full 90 mins): Tested early on with a shot towards his top corner that he got away well. Frustrated to have been beaten despite getting down well to get a hand to Griorgi Kvilitai’s shot, only for the ball to slowly spin across the line, then similar again late on as his save sat up nicely to give Milan Kovacev a second bite of the cherry. Good low stop to prevent it from becoming five, and came out the better in a one-v-one in the dying seconds.
Matty Pearson: Effectively Town’s right-back for much of the game as they switched into a 4-4-2 out of possession. Not hugely involved with Lasse Sorensen bearing the bulk of the attacking responsibility on that side and a lot of Aris’ attacks going up the other flank. Typically no-nonsense when called into action.
Tom Lees (off for Helik, 45): Played 45 minutes as planned — his first minutes since suffering his MCL injury late last season — before being replaced by Michal Helik at the break. Looked like he’d not been away, making a couple of good tackles and blocks to stop some dangerous-looking Aris attacks.
Josh Ruffels: Left a bit exposed on the counter-attack against a couple of extremely speedy opponents, which is not really his fault. Did what he could in the face of it and won as many of those duels as he narrowly lost. Tried to get forward to join the midfield when opportunities presented themselves.
Lasse Sorensen: We’re reasonably sure he’s just good at this stage. Played a big part in a few of Town’s more promising openings and played the ball at good times.
Antony Evans: Unlucky to hit the inside of the post with a direct free kick — just as he had against Harrogate last week. An all-round threat from set pieces, always forward-looking on the ball and keen to get things moving towards goal, and made some useful forward runs on the counter.
Jonathan Hogg: Tended to stay back to help build the play from deeper positions and offer additional cover to what was effectively a back four most of the time. Rose superbly to put a firm header past the keeper for 2-2.
Herbie Kane: Handed out an early receipt for a knee to the back of the leg, with the two opponents calling it quits after that. Has a really nice turn on the ball and uses his body well to hold off defenders who try to stop him doing it. Played a couple of smart little flicked-on passes with his back to goal.
Mickel Miller: Good determination to get to a couple of seemingly lost causes off the ball, and constantly making himself available up the left flank. Won a penalty late in the first half with a jinking run.
Rhys Healey: Physical right from the very off and looks like a nightmare to mark. Took a bit of a battering in return as well. Stepped up to convert a penalty to claw a goal back shortly before the break, but no other real chances to speak of.
Josh Koroma: Won some loose balls off heavy touches from Aris players. Got into the box a couple of times in the first half but unable to turn it into anything. Provided a good cross for Hogg to score on the second phase from a corner, though.
Minutes 63-90 (unless noted)
Chris Maxwell (full 90): Per above.
Ollie Turton: More assured showing than last weekend, asserting himself more firmly with his defending. Played some really good passes.
Michal Helik (for Lees, 45): The only change made at the break with Lees still building up his minutes after injury. Solid enough at the back and took the captain’s armband from Hogg after the skipper departed.
Brodie Spencer: Another appearance at centre-back, which we can’t help but think adds up to him being pegged for that role in the new season. Don’t mind it to be fair. Aris’ fourth goal came after he voyaged forward, with the opposition hitting Town in the space left vacant — not a personal criticism but something Town may need to look at ahead of the new season if those centre-backs are going to go on the attack from time to time.
Pat Jones: Came on to play at wing-back. A largely quiet game as Aris dominated the second half, but did pose a threat from a dinked Turton ball that allowed Jones to get forward and cross, but there was nobody on the end of it.
Tom Iorpenda: Posed a challenge to the Aris player with his work in the press. Not much chance to show what he can do on the ball.
David Kasumu: Took over Hogg’s sitting role in front of the Town defence. Offred a bit more variety on the ball with his ability to carry the ball on top of some tidy passing. Very useful to have in tight spaces.
Ben Wiles: Forced to play deeper than he would ideally like with Town struggling for possession in the second half. Really good defensive shift though, getting back well to break some dangerous-looking counters — something Town struggled with in the first half but did better in the second.
Jaheim Headley: As with Jones, barely able to get on the ball to make an impression.
Danny Ward: Almost entirely defensive exercise for the striker as Aris controlled the game.
Kian Harratt: Likewise.
Unused substitutes: Lee Nicholls, Jacob Chapman, Sorba Thomas, Neo Eccleston, Ben Jackson
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