Huddersfield Town vs Luton Town

Competition: EFL Championship Matchday 11

Date: 07/11/2020

Score: 1-1

Ground: John Smith Stadium

Town's concluded their 6 game run in 21 days with a test against Luton Town. Coming into the game, Luton were on a 7 game unbeaten run in Yorkshire. If Town were to lose to Luton today, they would have lost 3 games in a row at home and 3 in a row against Luton.
It was the Josh Koroma show early on as he burst into the Luton box on multiple occasions and tested the Hatters 'Keeper, Sluga. The JK show continued as he hauled down a Luton player in the attacking half, which he was rightly booked for. Although, only four minutes later it could be argued that Town should have been down to 10. Josh was penalised for a sliding tackle on the edge of the Hatters box and although he won the ball, if the referee is giving a foul, then probably a second yellow should have ensued.
The Josh Koroma show ended abruptly, as in the 21', George Moncur fired home from inside the Town box for Luton after the second phase of a Luton free-kick was not picked up by any of the Huddersfield defenders. It was a good powerful finish, but you have to question the reaction of the defenders.
Josh Koroma thought he had levelled the scoring in the 37' as he had put the ball in the Luton net, but the linesman flagged him offside. It looked close, but I'll give the benefit of the doubt to the officials.
Town went in at half time the as the team with the work to do, only for the third time this season did Town trail at the break, the other times being Rotherham United and Birmingham City. It was a poor first half from a town perspective, only 1 dribble out of 7 completed and 4 key passes played.
Town had a reaction in the second half, Adama Diakhaby clipped a ball into the back post, with Koroma having his header deflected over, before minutes later the latter burst into the box and fired into the keepers arms from close range although having Lewis O'Brien and Carel Eiting on the cutback.
Naby Sarr was then assaulted in the box following a corner, but the referee obviously had a fiver on Luton to win and Town were not awarded a penalty.
Town did not have to wait much longer for a goal as Josh Koroma brilliantly unleashed a bursting Harry Toffolo down the left flank who crossed the ball into the box for Carel Eiting to score his first goal for the Terriers with an inch-perfect header into the far corner in the 60'.
The game would end 1-1 with a couple of good saves from Hamer and a flurry of chances at either end. The result leaves Town 13th in the EFL Championship on 14 points from 11 games.
Town's next game is matchday 12 in the EFL Championship on Saturday (21/11/2020) away to Stoke City.

5 Conclusions from the Game

1. Josh Koroma is selfish.

I think every top striker is selfish to an extent, but Josh Koroma needs to learn when to pass. He did well for the equaliser to lay it off for the charging Harry Toffolo, but there were many times when he could have played in a teammate, rather than shoot. He is one of my favourite players at the moment but he needs to learn when to pass, his finishing is quality, but he needs to improve his chance creation.

2. Chino Saturdays.

Carlos has allowed fans to enjoy watching their football team again and not just because of his trousers! Although we don't always get the result we want, the style of football we are playing is exciting and variable from game to game. Usually when Town go behind, they forget all their tactics and become easy pickings for their opponents. It is good to see this season that this is not the case. Although they lost to Birmingham, Town have now picked up draws against Luton and Rotherham after going behind. Something that we have not seen for a long time. As seen by Town only winning once from behind since March 2017.

3. Did Matty Daly score an own goal against Charlton?

It genuinely astounds me the lack of game time that Matty Daly gets. He scored the winner against Charlton last season, but he has barely featured since. There are reports that he was phased out last season due to the introduction of Emile Smith Rowe, but I would rate him as the best player in the B team and I do not understand why he is not getting any game time.

4. Town have a fear of Sh*thouse teams.

Town are notorious for not being able to break down and dominate teams that allow Town to have high possession. Today was no different. They trailed at half time while having 71% possession while not converting their one clear cut chance in the first half. This issue has been prevalent for many seasons now and does not seem likely to change any time soon.

5. Lewis, please don't dye your hair again!

Ever since he dyed his hair blonde, he has turned into a different player - not in a good way. I think if you are going to criticise Bacuna, Mbenza, Diakhaby etc, then you can't place our player of the season above any criticism. I don't think he has been the same since the end of last season and I think his poor performances are down to one factor...

Town Team:

Starting 11: Ben Hamer, Pipa (90' Demeaco Duhaney), Richard Stearman, Naby Sarr, Harry Toffolo, Jonathon Hogg, Lewis O'Brien, Carel Eiting, Fraizer Campbell, Adama Diakhaby (66' Christopher Schindler), Josh Koroma (82' Danny Ward)
Subs: Joel Pereira, Demeaco Duhaney, Jaden Brown, Isaac Mbenza, Christopher Schindler , Matty Daly, Danny Ward
Formation: 433