Millwall vs Huddersfield Town

Competition: EFL Championship Matchday 9

Date: 31/10/2020

Score: 0-3

Ground: The Den

Town had lost 12 out their previous 16 trips to London and was playing against an in-form Millwall side, Huddersfield had a troubling start with Millwall asserting pressure from the outset. Jake Cooper could have potentially won a penalty, when Chris Schindler hauled him down after a corner. Town's first chance came when Town worked a nice chance for Koroma who shot from just outside the 18-yard box, forcing a save from Millwall's Polish 'keeper.
The first goal came in the 18' minute when Josh Koroma excellently played a ball to Pritchard who then floated it over to Diakhaby on the right wing who did well to head it across to the arriving Josh Koroma who fired in for his second goal of the season. The goal was a culmination of a 25 pass move which started with Town 'keeper Ben Hamer.
Pritchard was having a big impact on the first half and was really dictating the play. Adama Diakhaby made a good run in the 33' and looked to be fouled outside the box although the referee waved play on.
Towards the end of the first half, Millwall was starting to have a flurry of chances although Town stood firm to deny them equalising. More worryingly though for Town, Alex Pritchard who was one of the most influential players in the first half, hobbled off at half time after a heavy tackle on his ankle and was replaced by Juninho Bacuna at the interval.
Town started the second half the more comfortable out the two sides, Mbenza and Diakhaby both had good shots around the 60'. Pipa who usually is a right-back made a sub appearance on the left-wing in place of a brilliant Diakhaby.
Millwall had a good chance in the 85' from a free-kick, ex Terrier Murray Wallace nearly equalised. Campbell's introduction provided a good injection of pace into the attack as he came on for Mbenza
Pipa netted his first goal for the club in the 89' after a powerful shot made its way through the hands of Millwall's keeper, following an excellent pass from Juninho Bacuna.
Town put the game to bed when Bacuna again fed through a ball to Lewis O'Brien who brilliantly finished into the top left corner. A sweet Halloween for Town who bounced back from back to back defeats.
Town's next game is matchday 10 in the EFL Championship on Tuesday (03/11/2020) at home to Bristol City.

5 Conclusions from the Game

1. Rotation really helped.

5 changes were made from the defeat against Birmingham. In my opinion, this really helped the team and added much-needed energy that we lacked against a combative Birmingham side. Demeaco Duhaney coped well at right-back in his first start of the season, while Naby Sarr's return brought a big ariel presence defending corners.
Ultimately it showed that the Corberan system is not dependent on who is playing in each position, player fitness and knowledge of the system is more important than any individual skill.

2. Diakhaby and Hamer played really well!

Having had a poor game against Birmingham, it was great to see that Corberan still had faith in Adama, who excellently set up the first goal. Between the sticks, Manuel Neuer, I mean Ben Hamer had a superb game; another clean sheet, 4 saves and 2 claims while also having an 89% pass accuracy summed up his best performance of the season. Keep it up.

3. Pipa Versatility

While usually deployed as a right-back, Pipa's introduction did raise a few eyebrows in where he was going to slot in, but playing on the left-wing is certainly not unfamiliar territory having played here for Espanyol in the Europa League last season. His goal topped off an impressive cameo, and one which excellently showed off his attacking skills.

4. 100 not out for Harry Toffolo.

A firm fan favourite at Huddersfield and during his time at Lincoln, another consistent display from Town's left back. 100 straight starts in the EFL, completing the full 90 in 96 of those games. A brilliant achievement given at how many games fall in quick succession while also not being suspended or injured in that time.

5. A goal over-shadowed an indifferent performance from O'Brien.

A very well taken goal by Town's number 8, but I thought O'Brien had quite a poor game for his standards, some of his passes were sloppy while also putting Sarr in hospital after being tackled on the edge of his own box. This can be put down to match sharpness though, as he had only started one prior game this season.

Town Team:

Starting 11: Ben Hamer, Demeaco Duhaney, Christopher Schindler, Naby Sarr, Harry Toffolo, Jonathon Hogg, Alex Pritchard (Juninho Bacuna), Lewis O'Brien, Josh Koroma, Adama Diakhaby (66' Pipa), Isaac Mbenza (84' Fraizer Campbell)
Subs: Joel Pereira, Pipa, Juninho Bacuna, Carel Eiting, Jaden Brown, Richard Stearman, Fraizer Campbell
Formation: 433