Huddersfield Town ratings as Terriers come back from two down to draw with Blackpool
Calamitous defending allowed the visitors to take a two-goal lead into the break, but late goals from Marcus Harness and Cameron Ashia rescued a point
Lee Nicholls - 5
Should have kept out Ashley Fletcher’s set piece goal as Blackpool took the lead midway through the first half, but it squeezed under his body and over the line off his hand. Saved well to deny Fletcher’s volley early in the second half.
Radinio Balker - 3
Has been superb recently but had a nightmare here. Didn’t get out to Fletcher quickly enough to stop him from getting his shot off to make it 1-0 to the visitors. Was caught jogging back towards the box as Blackpool went on the attack for their second goal, only breaking into a sprint to try and catch the unmarked Michael Obafemi when it was too late — really unacceptable. Moved over to right-back as Town went 4-2-3-1 in the second half, then returned to centre-back just after the hour.
Josh Feeney - 5
Into the middle of the back three for the injured Joe Low. Lacked Low’s presence in the box at times but did get across to make an important tackle to stop Blackpool getting clean in on goal late in the first half. Partnered Wallace in a back four after the break for a spell before going off to get Lasse Sorensen on at right-back.
Murray Wallace - 5
Struggled against some of the pace in the Blackpool attack. Didn’t engage quickly enough on the edge of the box en route to the second goal. Steady away after the break.
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Lynden Gooch - 3
In for Lasse Sorensen, but picked up where he left off from the bench against Peterborough with a thoroughly unconvincing showing at both ends of the pitch. Crossing was dreadful and struggled to beat his man. Pushed forward into an out-and-out right winger role after the break.
Ryan Ledson - 5
Alongside Marcus McGuane, was given a huge amount of space to cover if and when Blackpool broke to initial press with Town setting up in a 5-2-3 when defending in the opposition half..
Marcus McGuane - 5
Too timid with some of his defending, including failing to make a challenge in the build-up to Blackpool’s second goal and pulling out of a header soon after the break to allow Fletcher a shot on goal that Nicholls did well to save.
Bali Mumba - 6
Unable to get his ball around the ball to turn it into an open net off Charles’ ball across the face of goal on 15 minutes. Kept losing the ball to poor touches after doing all the hard work to get into decent positions up the left in the first half. Dropped in at left-back in the second half, and overlapped Miller to put in a great cross that Cameron Ashia finished off at the back post to make it 2-2.
Cameron Humphreys - 5
In for David Kasumu at number 10. Played some nice disguised passes in behind the Blackpool defence in the opening minutes and worked hard to try and win the ball, but ultimately unable to make a telling impact on the game.
Marcus Harness - 8
Shifted over to the left-sided number 10 role so he and Humphreys could both invert and look for shooting opportunities. One of the only bright sparks of an awful first half with his determined pressing and tidy work on the ball to keep play moving forward. A shame nobody else matched his level. Put an unstoppable header home from Sorensen’s cross to give Town hope of a comeback.
Dion Charles - 6
Skinned his man several times in the early going to get into dangerous positions. Had one cross headed away from Harness, a shot off the post from a narrow angle, and a low ball across the face of goal for Mumba all in the space of the first 15 minutes. Kept working his socks off but looked a bit desperate and rushed with the ball at times, to his detriment.
Substitutes
David Kasumu (for Humphreys 56) - Took over the number 10 role before moving back into central midfield late on. Had a shot turned over the bar with his first touch. 6
Bobby Wales (for Charles 57) - On for his debut after arriving on loan on deadline day. Gave Town the option of going long. Booked for a clumsy challenge late on. Kept two men occupied inside the box to allow Ashia to score the late equaliser. 6
Mickel Miller (for Feeney 64) - Surprisingly, a straight swap onto the right wing. Played his part in Harness’ goal by winning a duel in the corner to get it away to Sorensen. Put a great low ball across the six yard box that just needed a touch but nobody was there to finish it. 6
Lasse Sorensen (for Gooch 64) - Went on at right-back. Perfect cross for Harness to pull a goal back for Town. 7
Cameron Ashia (for McGuane 85) - Took over from Miller on the right wing with Miller going to the left, Harness into number 10, and Kasumu dropping in alongside Ledson. 7
Unused substitutes: Jak Alnwick, Will Alves.
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