Huddersfield Town ratings from 1-0 defeat at home to Birmingham
The league leaders once again emerged with the only goal of the game as Huddersfield were unable to find a response
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Jacob Chapman - 6
Rarely tested except by the brilliant Keshi Anderson strike that found the net. Would need to see it again to see if he could have got to it or not.
Matty Pearson - 6
Slow to react in a couple of moments in the first half, but had a good solid second half.
Tom Lees - 7
Man-marked Jay Stansfield or Lyndon Dykes whenever they pushed back into midfield. Showed good positional awareness before having to go off late on with a bloodied face after being caught in the air by Lyndon Dykes.
Brodie Spencer - 6
Back at centre-back on the left of the back three. Picked up an early booking after losing a winnable one-v-one. A bit up and down from there and was repeatedly targeted by balls over the top, but generally made up for any mistakes by getting back in enough time.
Lasse Sorensen - 5
Back into the starting line-up. Looked a tad rusty and struggled with his duties in and around the box, allowing a free header that should have found the net in the first half and allowing Keshi Anderson plenty of space to tee himself up for his spectacular goal.
Herbie Kane - 4
Continued his little run of anonymous-to-poor performances and no surprise to see his number as the first one up on the subs’ board.
Jonathan Hogg - 7
Superb throughout the first half and kept up his efforts after the break. May have been lucky to stayed on the pitch for a late challenge on Tomoki Iwata late on.
Ruben Roosken - 7
Made his first start for the club after returning from suspension. Looked like he’d played there all season: composed in defence and played an integral part in all Town’s better moves during his time on the pitch.
Antony Evans - 6
Enjoyed some bright exchanges with Roosken up the Town left and tracked back well to win the ball on several occasions. Decent enough outing but like his teammates short on quality in the final third, including with some of his set piece deliveries.
Callum Marshall - 5
Worked really hard both on and off the ball, as we know he will. A few nice little touches here and there but lacked the final pass or shot at the end of it all.
Dion Charles - 5
See: Callum Marshall. Can’t fault the effort and did well to hold off larger opponents to win several balls with his back to goal. Didn’t have any chances to speak of after a difficult early header.
Substitutes
Joe Hodge (for Kane 57) - Brighter than the man he replaced, though did give the ball away to let Birmingham into the box in injury time. Put the ball not far wide with a last-second volley. 5
Ollie Turton (for Sorensen 57) - Helped Town to switch to a back four for the closing stages. 5
Josh Koroma (for Roosken 63) - Came on to play on the left of a front three. 5
Rhys Healey (for Marshall 72) - Caused trouble with some of his long throws. Got into good positions for crosses but Town just couldn’t find him. 5
Bojan Radulovic (for Charles 72) - Didn’t especially notice him one were or another after he came on, but it was that kind of game for the forwards. 5
Radinio Balker (for Lees 87) - A concussion substitute. n/a
Unused substitutes: Lee Nicholls.
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