News Articles > 5 things to take away from the Norwich test

5 things to take away from the Norwich test

23/07/2021

First half side:

Starting 11: Lee Nicholls (46' Ryan Schofield), Harry Toffolo, Levi Colwill, Matty Pearson, Ollie Turton, Jonathan Hogg, Scott High (63' Josh Ruffels), Lewis O'Brien Josh Koroma (72' Brahima Diarra), Duane Holmes (63' Sorba Thomas), (63' Jordan Rhodes)
Subs: Ryan Schofield, Jordan Rhodes, Josh Ruffels, Sorba Thomas, Romoney Crichlow, Ben Jackson, Matty Daly, Josh Austerfield, Micah Obiero, Brahima Diarra, Jaheim Headley
Formation: 433

Match Report

8 goals conceded and 0 goals scored against Norwich last season, including Huddersfield's heaviest loss in nearly 35 years, so you can imagine my shock when Huddersfield actively chose to play Norwich in a friendly match.
Town and Norwich exchanged attacks early on, before Duane Holmes was pounced on while on the ball in the Norwich half, with Teemu Pukki finishing off a clinical counter-attacking move, that all Championship fans were all too accustomed to. It was Town who dominated the majority of the play, having quite a number of spells on the ball, but it would be Norwich who would win the game 2-0. A calamity of errors in the back line allowed Adam Idah to fire the ball home late on in the second half.
It was certainly Town's first proper test of pre-season after the fitness builders against Harrogate and Southport, the result was probably an unfair reflection of the game. Town should have at least drawn, if not won, but it was the same old story in progressing the ball from Town's territory to the opposition's. A creative-minded midfielder is now desperately needed.

Is Lee Nicholls the number 1?

I am a fan of Ryan Schofield, I think there is definitely a player there, but it was clear that he was struggling at certain points last season. That partly was the club's fault that there was not a competent 'keeper for them to use when he was going through a tough period. I feel though it is too soon for him to be playing at this level, having watched Nicholls play in pre-season, I would not be against him starting at Derby. He is calm in possession and looks in command in his area. He still is yet to be tested from close range in the 18 yard box, but so far he has been impressive.

Why have some players not featured so far?

It has now been confirmed why certain players have not featured so far. Pipa, Rolando Aarons and Aaron Rowe are at Canalside, doing strength and conditing work as they recover from injury, which extends to Danny Grant, but he is in the B team squad at the moment. Rarmani Edmonds-Green and Fraizer Campbell are currently isolating after testing positive for COVID-19, while Reece Brown is in isolation after coming into contact with someone who had COVID-19. Juninho Bacuna is still on international duty or self-isolating after finishing it. Isaac Mbenza is still in Belgium, something clearly is going on between him and the club for him not to be back training. Naby Sarr and Alex Vallejo are in the training camp squad, but suffered knocks in the build up to the game.

Town seemed so much calmer in possession.

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's hard work so far in the window is coming undone.

Town have signed 6 players so far, which has certainly improved the squad depth, but they are still in need of those players that 'get you off your seat'. Town have the foundations in place, but unless they get in players that increase the quality of the squad, then I feel like all that has been done so far doesn't matter. The squad as a whole may have improved, but the actual first team has not.

Scott High has caused Corberan a huge selection headache

Scott has been one of the standout performers of pre-season. He has a brilliant engine on him, a solid ability to win the ball, break the lines and a decent final ball. He seems to have the perfect blend of attributes needed for a box to box midfielder and while he is still a raw talent, it is clear that there is potential for him to slot into Town's midfield.
Town like to play a three man midfield, regardless of the number of defenders. Hogg as captain is going to play unless he is injured, and most likely another spot filled by a creative-minded midfielder, the last spot will most likely be Lewis if he stays, but even if he does I suspect Scott will be putting pressure on that position.