Huddersfield Town ratings as Ben Wiles and David Kasumu see off Barnsley
The midfield duo both struck late on to give Michael Duff's side a deserved 2-0 victory and end their losing run
Jacob Chapman - 6
Looked confident with his distribution. Had little to do in the way of saves but controlled his box well.
Brodie Spencer - 8
Shifted across to his favoured right side in the back three. Did well to get in the way of a dangerous Sam Cosgrove chance off a deflected cross to the back post just before the break. Overlapped well to support Sorensen up the flank when Town were in attack, and put in some really good last-ditch challenges when Barnsley had a more threatening spell in the second half.
Matty Pearson - 7
Wore the captain’s armband as he took the central role in the rearguard. Looked happier there with fewer foot races to deal with, leaving them to the spryer Spencer and Lonwijk instead.
Nigel Lonwijk - 6
Back in the side in place of Tom Lees, but on the left of the back three. A bit faltering in the early stages, as is his tendency. Looked for dinked balls over the top for Miller and Marshall, to mixed results
Lasse Sorensen - 6
Picked his moments well to get forward, played a part in some really good exchanges, and got the better of Georgie Gent with his dribbling — just a shame about his final balls, many of which hit the first defender to create corners rather than shots.
Joe Hodge - 7
We wondered whether Hodge or Kasumu would play as the deeper-lying midfielder, and it turns out both with Town going to more of a 3-2-3-2. Picked up an early booked for a clumsy slide tackle from behind. Played some really incisive balls in behind the Barnsley defence.
David Kasumu - 8
Sat alongside Hodge and put in another impressive defensive effort. Had a volleyed lob turned over the bar midway through the first half as he tried to catch Gabriel Slonina out of position, but succeeded from 25 yards with virtually the last kick of the game to make it 2-0. Really made the most of his chance in the side this week.
Mickel Miller - 6
Put some set piece deliveries down Slonina’s throat that the keeper didn’t look entirely comfortable with. Same as so often: hard-working at the back, drove the ball forward well, but delivery lacking with three crosses hitting the roof of the net.
Ben Wiles - 8
Now that’s more like it. Played at number ten in that inverted midfield triangle. Was involved in a few bright moves in the first half, particularly when drifting right to link up with Sorensen. Constantly got in between the Barnsley lines and played in some dangerous crosses that caused Barnsley some trouble. Deserved his goal and took it really well, firing unstoppably into the top corner.
Bojan Radulovic - 6
Really determined play with his running and work off the ball, especially tackling back — unfortunately took a few heavy touches and overhit one or two passes at the end of some promising moves. Dinked a bouncing ball onto the roof of the net early in the second half that he clearly felt he should have put away. Looks to be something to work with there as he gets more minutes — just needs that bit of extra sharpness.
Callum Marshall - 7
Sharp as ever with his interceptions and vital in the press. Had an excellent header well saved by Slonina in the first half, and another effort blocked on its way to goal. Made multiple runs that would have put him through on goal if only the pass in his direction had been better
Substitutes
Herbie Kane (for Hodge 71) - Got some stick from the away end and nearly immediately went in the book for a challenge on Mael De Gevigney that did not appear to actually make contact. Made the vital run up the right that produced the goal that finally broke the deadlock, squaring across the edge off the box for Wiles to finish. 7
Freddie Ladapo (for Radulovic 71) - Great reverse pass to send Kane up the right on his way to setting up Wiles’ goal. 6
Tom Lees (for Marshall 90+2)- Saw out the last few minutes as a defensive midfielder. Did you ever think you’d see the day? n/a
Unused substitutes: Chris Maxwell, Jaheim Headley, Jonathan Hogg, Antony Evans.
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