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Conclusions From The Win At West Brom

02/09/2023

After an underwhelming summer transfer window and a tough start, Huddersfield Town were faced with the mammoth task of beating a West Brom side who were 2/2 at home so far this season. Neil Warnock made 4 changes to the side that lost 4-0 at home to Norwich last week. With only one point on the board so far this season, it was already a must not lose game. It would be fair to say that having only scored one goal themselves in their opening 4 games, it was always going to be an uphill task. Town coped brilliantly and came away with a deserved 2-1 win over Carlos Corbrean's West Brom, heading into the international break clear of the relegation zone.

Ben Wiles.

I think it is very easy to be reactionary after watching a player's debut, but Ben Wiles was excellent today. Energetic, ball-carrying, and a pressing monster, Wiles left it all out on the pitch today and considering that he hadn't played in three weeks, he looked sharp. Not to be too cliche, but if that is the level of performance he can put in on his debut, then I am excited to see how he performs for the rest of the season.

I didn't get a chance to write a piece on what to expect from Wiles as I did for fellow new signing Delano Burgzorg, but I am excited by what he has to offer. He adds versatility having played anywhere in the middle of the park along with on the flanks. His arrival also takes some pressure off Jack Rudoni in the midfield to be the runner, and it showed today with Jack being able to peel off and score the winner, along with one early in the game that was ruled out.

Town did pay a 'substantial' fee for Wiles, but like with Helik last year it was money well spent and shows Nagle now first hand that in the English game you do have to spend money on transfer fees. Now that isn't a cry to say go crazy on every signing, but just be smart in the transfer market. Yes sometimes you will be able to pick up gems like Lee Nicholls or Matty Pearson for free, but other times it is Florian Kamberi or Connor Mahoney.

Yuta Nakayama Looked Sharp.

Josh Ruffels has been excellent under Warnock and it is hard to see Warnock selecting Nakayama ahead of him, but in his 15 minute cameo today, I thought Yuta was brilliant. My biggest criticism of the Town backline (and the squad in general) is how poor the passing is. In a style where a long ball is used frequently, I don't think there is anyone better than Nakayama. There was a moment where Nakayama picked the ball up deep in Town's half on the right-hand side and pinged a ball on down the line for Harratt to latch on. It was inch perfect, as Kian just stopped it from going out for a goal kick. So many times, a Town player kicks it forward, the direction is there but the accuracy isn't!

I thought Town were threatening playing it over the top today and it was an effective way of transitioning the ball from defence into attacking areas, so I think it really raises the question of Yuta's involvement. I think when you look at Hogg, he is best suited to mopping up the ball in the midfield, but when he is being asked to pass and be a playmaker, his skillset is being spread thinly across each. If Yuta can be incorporated, it takes the pressure of Hogg being that conductor in the middle, and makes use of Yuta's technical ability.

Where Yuta is utilised is going to be interesting and is a selection headache for Warnock, however, I am not holding my breath too much, as I am not sure Warnock fully 'trusts' him yet...

A Lot To Work On During The International Break.

For as good as Town were today, I thought West Brom's 'keeper had a shocker for both goals. Town's players had to make a few vital clearances in the 6 yard box, and a huge Lee Nicholls stop which set Town off on the counter to score the winner. It was a very much a: Town were good, but also West Brom were bad.

It is a much-needed first win of the season and ends Town's tricky start. 4 points from their opening 5 games is not bad at all considering it had a promoted team at home as an opening game, a relegated Leicester, a promotion favourite in Middlesborough and then Norwich and West Brom who are never afraid of spending money. It now gives Warnock and Town a chance to settle in and calm down. The two weeks on the training ground are going to be invaluable now, but it must be maximised.

Town have looked shaky as a defensive unit and in my view, are letting up too many chances, they have been undone by a number of goals on the break along with defensive errors.

The Omissions of Sorba Thomas and Tom Edwards.

When I got the lineup at 2pm and was looking through it, immediately I was drawn to the players brought into the lineup, but it was only once I went through it again, I noticed Thomas and Edwards were not listed anywhere. This would usually be quite normal, but it was strange given that Neil Warnock is the manager and had picked exactly the same starting lineup 3 games in a row. It is strange to go from them both starting to both being omitted with neither being listed by Town to have an injury. It left Town without a natural right back/ wing back in the squad and seems strange given that Sorba and Tom have attempted the most crosses and took 91% of Town's corners before today.

You would be right to think: Town won, why would you question it? but given that Edwards has played every minute so far along with Thomas starting every game and the international break is here next week, it seemed strange.

Deadline Day Was A Farce.

You would have thought by now that the faulty fax machine would have been fixed, but it seems that it has been turned off completely in a bid to save energy. Jokes aside, having made 4 signings in a summer window, one of which being a backup 'keeper is terrible. Neil Warnock made it clear that he wanted to sign a striker, so to not have signed one is poor.

It was quite clear that Town were struggling throughout the window to sign players with Warnock stating in the build up to today's game that 4 players he missed out on scored/ set-up a goal last weekend. It is beyond frustrating to hear comments like this given the frailties that are within the squad.

Town have lost 20 or so players from last season's roster, and while that is the equivalent of a matchday squad this season, it was needed since Town used 40 players last season. Only Watford used more (41) players than Town last season. The squad is thin now, with 27 players and that includes the senior B team players like Josh Austerfield and Loick Ayina. I do think Town are short in midfield and are only an injury away from being a serious crisis, but Town are going to need to make do there until January at the earliest.