Huddersfield Town ratings as Terriers claim statement win over Stockport
Michael Duff's side had to protect their 1-0 lead for almost the entire game after going ahead in the first minute
You'll find five conclusions on this game here!
Jacob Chapman - 7
Came off his line to deny Louie Barry in the first half and Will Collar in the second, both from narrow angles. Again impressive with some of his distribution.
Tom Lees - 9
Did the bulk of the one-on-one work on the division’s top scorer, Louie Barry, as he tried to get in off the Stockport left wing. Got one sliding tackle in the first half absolutely perfect when it would have otherwise been a penalty. Switched over to the other side to continue to keep an eye on him late on. Never looked rattled and made a crucial intervention to stop a cross in injury time. Excellent performance.
Michal Helik - 7
Fortunate not to replicate Lewis Bate’s earlier own goal as he mishit a cross towards his own goal, only to come back out off the post. “Scored” from inside his own half after the whistle had already gone for a foul in Town’s favour. Had a couple of slightly unconvincing moments but got more right than wrong.
Nigel Lonwijk - 7
Straight back into the side after his suspension. Sent Callum Marshall away up the left with a lovely long ball on the way to Town’s first-minute opener. Played some lovely incisive passes that opened up the Stockport midfield, with David Kasumu his usual recipient. Booked just before the hour. Did at times leave Helik with more to do than he would ideally have liked by pushing forward into midfield to try and win the ball, but overall a really good afternoon.
Brodie Spencer - 8
Re-deployed at ring wing-back in Ollie Turton’s place. Forced Lewis Bate’s early, early own goal with a drilled cross that deflected in off the Stockport skipper’s heel. Kept looking an attacking threat, but responsible about getting back to support Lees against Barry. Moved across to the left side after Ollie Turton came on just after the hour, and had more licence to get forward from there.
Herbie Kane - 6
Got caught out a couple of times trying to pus forward in the press, allowing Stockport masses of space in midfield in behind him. Still offered the quality we expect on the ball, even if his opportunities to use it grew more infrequent as the game went on.
David Kasumu - 7
Everything we expect of him once again, with a great work rate, numerous sharp interceptions, and useful ball-carrying.
Josh Koroma - 7
Should have earned Town a penalty in the early going but was waved away by the officials. Got forward numerous times with his direct running but just lacking the final touch. Had to play further back than we’ve previously seen him in this role with Town playing a flat back five off the ball, but took his duties seriously and did them well. Moved up front after Danny Ward went off.
Ben Wiles - 5
Good movement when Town were on the ball but kept getting the ball stuck in his feet at the crucial moment. Was a bit too easy to get past in midfield at times.
Callum Marshall - 7
Kept chasing everything down right to the final whistle, and looked the most likely Town player to make something happen in the final third. Unlucky not to find Freddie Ladapo with a late cross.
Danny Ward - 6
Made Stockport defenders’ lives difficult with his aerial work and pressing.
Substitutes
Ollie Turton (for Ward 63) - Took over at right wing-back, though it was more and more of an out-and-out right-back role. 6
Matty Pearson (for Lonwijk 79) - Sent on to see the game out after Stockport sent on some of their big men up top for the second half. n/a
Freddie Ladapo (for Koroma 82) - Agonisingly close to scoring as soon as he came on, but couldn’t quite reach Marshall’s difficult ball across the face of goal. n/a
Unused substitutes: Chris Maxwell, Jaheim Headley, Tom Iorpenda, Conor Falls.
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