News Articles > 5 things to take away from the Harrogate Town test

5 things to take away from the Harrogate Town test

12/07/2021

First half side:

Starting 11: Lee Nicholls, Harry Toffolo, Naby Sarr, Matty Pearson, Ollie Turton, Jonathan Hogg, Reece Brown, Josh Koroma, Lewis O'Brien, Dunae Holmes, Fraizer Campbell
Subs: Alex Valljo, Jordan Rhodes, Josh Ruffels, Scott High, Sorba Thomas, Danny Ward, Levi Colwill, Aaron Rowe, Romoney Crichlow, Matty Daly, Rarmani Edmonds-Green
Formation: 4231

Second half side:

Starting 11: Lee Nicholls, Josh Ruffels, Levi Colwill, Romoney Crichlow, Rarmani Edmonds-Green, Sorba Thomas, Scott High, Alev Vallejo, Matty Daly, Jordan Rhodes, Danny Ward
Subs: Aaron Rowe
Formation: 532

Match Report

Huddersfield Town started their pre-season against League 2 Harrogate Town at PPG Canalside. It was only three years since 4 divisions separated both sides, three years on it is only 1 division. Town named a squad of 22 to face their Yorkshire neighbours, with all six new signings being included.
Town had a mixed first half, having taken the lead early through Josh Koroma, Town then looked to be quite passive in possession. There was a lack of effort to try and break down the low block that Harrogate was imposing. While they were in control, you felt Town were back to their old self, hopefully this will change in the coming games.
Town made wholesale changes bar the keeper in the second half, switching from a four back to a three/ five back. Aaron Rowe was meant to come on, but it seems like he must have got injured in the warm-up as he was replaced last minute by Romoney Crichlow. Worryingly for Town, Rowe has now been seen in a foot brace which comes half way up his right shin, which could point towards an achilles tendon injury.
Town looked a lot more fluid going forward in the second half with clear cut chances for Rhodes and Ruffels, but there looked to be less of a game plan. Colwill impressed in the second half, while Romoney Crichlow looked in control in the centre of the back three. Matty Daly impressed while Sorba Thomas seemed to being used as a right wing back, where he performed well. Although Town didn't score in the second half, they created more chances, but did also concede more chances.
The game ended 1-0 Huddersfield and while it wasn't a standout performance, it was a good fitness test, but they do need to improve and create more chance in the games to come.

Town are still missing a creative midfielder

Town looked confident in possession of the ball today, but it was sterile, Harrogate had Town where they wanted them to be. Town's chances today were them breaking down the flanks with the ball at their feet or being chipped over the top - that's how Koroma scored the only goal of the game. Harrogate set up like a low block side and Town again struggled to break them down. Pritchard was let go in the summer and while it was definitely the right decision, Town should have already targetted that number 10 spot. Since we had Smith-Rowe, Town have not had a player that can unlock a defence, this needs to change. Town are predictable in the way they play as a result. In the second half, Town had Jordan Rhodes up front, he should have scored when the ball was crossed in, but apart from that, he didn't have another chance. Some Town fans have been critical of the signing, but Town won't get the full potential out of Rhodes unless they have that player that can give him the service he needs.
Town have been linked all the way through the summer with signing a certain Brazilian creative midfielder, but the deal now is seemingly off. Town need to get this creative midfield issue sorted because it will be long and difficult season otherwise.

Levi Colwill looks special

For Town to sign an 18 year old centre back on loan, they must be special and it is clear that Town have pulled off an excellent signing in Colwill. He looked confident and composed on the ball. Levi brought the ball out of the defence on multiple occasions, with his range of passing being really impressive. If Colwill keeps up his early showings then it would not be a surprise if Corberan has to answer the difficult question: Does Colwill start ahead of Sarr on the left side of defence?

It seems that Mbenza has been told to train away from the club

Ryan Schofield, Juninho Bacuna, Rolando Aarons, Pipa and Isaac Mbenza were all missing from the squad for the game. It is believed that Town wanted to assess Lee Nicholls over a full 90 minutes, so Schofield wasn't needed. Rolando Aarons was seen watching the game by the side of the pitch, so most likely he was out with injury. Pipa has been seen back in training but it is looking increasingly likely that he could be on his way to another club. Bacuna is on international duty with Curacao, but he has now been sent home due to positive COVID results in the Curacao squad. This leaves Mbenza, who hasn't posted anything about Town on social media since last season (Which for him is strange) and he has not been seen back in pre-season training. This points towards him being instructed to train away from Canalside while he looks for another club.

Town don't seem to have their preferred formation yet

Town played the first half with a flat back four but then moved to a five (or a three - however you view it) with roaming full-backs. It is clear from this that Carlos is still looking at either two formations to use. I thought the three seemed to look a bit more solid and allowed the full-backs to push on more, but I don't think you could accommodate Koroma in that formation.

Nicholls looked assured in goal

Town gave new 'keeper Lee Nicholls a full 90 minutes and while he wasn't extensively tested, he looked competent and composed when in possession. The few times he was pulled into action he did well. He looked good with both a four and a three/ five in front of him, but I would like to see him being used against higher quality opposition before making any comparisons between him and Schofield.