Huddersfield Town ratings as Ruben Roosken dismissed in 0-0 with Rotherham
The Terriers dominated the first half before a more end-to-end second period, with new signing Roosken dismissed for a high tackle
Five conclusions on this game are available here.
Jacob Chapman - 6
Looked unusually nervy in the early going after getting clattered in the opening minutes. Continued to look a bit unsure with his distribution, but came off his line to save bravely twice after the break.
Brodie Spencer - 7
Started at right-back but took over from Lonwijk at left-back after his first-minute injury. Generally dependable other than a couple of wayward touches around his own box shortly after the break.
Tom Lees - 6
Cut out a couple of early Rotherham balls into the box on some rare occasions of Town being made to scramble back. Booked early in the second half for a cynical foul and struggled a bit with Sam Nombe and Mallik Wilks after the break. Presumably substituted to save the risk of a second yellow.
Michal Helik - 8
Had a header cleared off the line late in the first half then got back to make an important tackle on Wilks at the other end after Rotherham went on the counter-attack. Was posed some problems by Wilks’ physicality but usually came out on top. Made sure a Wilks effort didn’t cross the line after Chapman came out to save. Unable to finish off a late chance.
Nigel Lonwijk - n/a
Pulled up with an injury on his first forward run and had to go off.
Ben Wiles - 5
Took a few poor touches to cheaply cede possession to his former club in the first half. Rightly booked for a dive just after the hour and had to play on a tightrope from there.
Joe Hodge - 6
Made his first start in three months with David Kasumu out injured. The deepest player in the Town midfield three and thus usually the first recipient of passes out of defence to get moves started, or to go back to when a move needed resetting. Did that job capably enough. Lucky not to be booked for a naughty sliding tackle in the first few minutes.
Herbie Kane - 6
Kept trying to find balls through gaps in the Rotherham defence, with a lot of promising passes ultimately coming to nothing.
Callum Marshall - 6
Played on the right wing in the new-look 4-3-3. Had some nice combinations with Wiles up that side but did need a bit more of that kind of support at times. Came into his own after the red card. Brilliant sliding tackle and cross late on, but neither Radulovic nor Helik were able to finish it.
Bojan Radulovic - 7
Into the starting line-up in place of Danny Ward, and looked a bit happier playing ina front three than he has done in a two. Let an early chance run between his legs, though he was adamant it had taken a nick off a defender and kicked air again off an Ollie Turton cross later in the first half — but offered really impressive link play and tackling in midfield areas, so still probably his best outing for the club. Set up Koroma for a golden opportunity he should have taken.
Josh Koroma - 4
Started on the left of the front three. Worked hard to make himself available as an option but did slow down the play a bit too much at times hoping to find his trademark shot from the edge of the box. Plenty of willing but just couldn’t get anything to come off. Completely wasted a one-on-one with the keeper trying to be too clever.
Substitutes
Ollie Turton (for Lonwijk 4) - Went on at right-back and looked good. Played in some promising balls and moved the ball nicely. Solid and dependable at the back. 7
Antony Evans (for Hodge 65) - Another welcome sight back from injury. Looked good with his dynamism and ball-playing. 6
Matty Pearson (for Lees 65) - Saw out the game at centre-back. 6
Ruben Roosken (for Koroma 73) - Sent off on his debut for a high challenge on Cameron Humphreys’ shin. No malice in it and a genuine attempt to win the ball, but difficult to argue with after seeing it back — it was a bad challenge. 2
Unused substitutes: Chris Maxwell, Jonathan Hogg, Freddie Ladapo.
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