What Huddersfield Town did wrong at Bradford and how Lee Grant can fix it

It was a miserable trip to Valley Parade for the Terriers in virtually every department

Huddersfield Town fell well short of the standards expected in their local derby against Bradford City on Saturday lunchtime, and deservedly found themselves on the wrong end of a 3-1 defeat.

We’ve taken on the painful task of rewatching the full 90 minutes to figure out the key issues that led to that defeat (in short: virtually everything) and what Lee Grant can do to fix things.

Failing to win duels at crucial moments

The most obvious point to make from all three Bradford goals is that Town were simply not competitive enough in their individual battles. Sean Roughan, in particular, had an awful time of it against Josh Neufville. That said, it was happening all over the park.

On the first Bradford goal, there are at least three opportunities to stop the move, which comes off a basic long ball out to the wings.

It was a similar story for Bradford’s third goal. Just 19 seconds passed between Town kicking off again after going 2-0 down and Bradford scoring. Once again, along the way there were no fewer than three individual duels that went Bradford’s way.

You can make that four if you include Joe Low and Murray Wallace both letting Pointon get between them and run free. Whether he got a touch or not, his presence left Lee Nicholls unable to deal with the situation.

This inability to compete with Bradford was a constant pattern throughout the game. While it cost them a goal here, it was much worse in the middle third of the pitch.

Town had issues playing out from the back. However, there were plenty of occasions when they were able to get through the Bradford press only to lose their individual battles and concede possession, allowing the hosts to go back on the attack.

The solution here is obvious: Town have to be far more alert, far more robust and far tighter in their battles for the ball. The lack of attention and commitment at Valley Parade was shocking at times.

Dreadful marking

On the second goal, Town have eight outfielders back in the box to defend a Bradford throw-in. There are just five opposition players for them to pick up. You would think that would be more than enough to keep the ball out of the net.