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Huddersfield Town's transfer needs are re-assessed with just over two weeks until the season starts

26/07/24

It is just over two weeks from Town's opening fixture away at Peterborough, and when a huge re-build was needed to prepare Town for League 1, and only 4 new signings are through the door, are Town prepared?

Goalkeepers

Town are currently in a great position with the their keepers. Lee Nicholls is lower mid-table Championship standard, Chris Maxwell is an experienced 'keeper at this level, while Jacob Chapman is not a bad option as a third choice. Birmingham have spent a combined 7 figure fee to bring in Ryan Allsop and Bailey Peacock Farrell which is arguably as good a lineup as Nicholls and Maxwell. The only concern for Town is that Nicholls could be on the shortlist of a few Championship sides and if does go, then I do think we could potentially have to dip into the transfer market for another 'keeper. The fact that Nicholls, Maxwell and Chapman all suffered injuries last with Nicholls and Maxwell both sustaining injuries at once which led to Chapman making his debut, Town need to make sure they have three strong keepers. I do think Chris Maxwell is a good keeper, but I am not sure how much I trust him to be Town's first choice keeper, so in my opinion Town would need to sign another 'keeper if Nicholls is to leave.

Defenders

Last season Town conceded 4 goals or more in a game 10 times, in the last two seasons they conceded 154 goals in all competitions, regardless of the drop to League 1 it was an area where Town needed to improve. Lasse Sorensen and Mickel Miller are two solid pickups, who are arguably better options at wing back than Town had last season! Radinio Balker being ruled out until 2025 is a huge blow for Town as he was easily Town's best defensive ball player. Last season's most used defensive trio: Michal Helik, Tom Lees and Matty Pearson all remain at the club, although I'm not sure whether Helik will remain in blue and white come September 1st. Loick Ayina is another option and although he has had two loan spells in Scotland, he is still very raw. Ollie Turton, Brodie Spencer and Josh Ruffels, are all options as a wide centre-back or wing-back. Will any of them play 46 games for Town next season? I think it's highly unlikely for multiple reasons. That leaves academy graduates Ben Jackson, Jaheim Headley and Neo Eccleston. It is make or break at Town for Jacko, I think for his own development, he needs to play consistently this season, if that isn't a guarantee then I think Town need to move him on this summer. Headley is the same, however I have been impressed by what I have seen so far. Eccleston could be a surprise breakthrough, but I don't think we can rely on him.

Currently, I would only put money on Sorenson and Pearson to play 40+ games this year (Helik or Spencer aren't guaranteed to be here), which given Duff is wanting to play a back 5, Town still have work to do here. I know a lot of fans have been disappointed with Balker and his fitness record at Town, but he is exactly the profile of defender Town needs. `

` Even without a potential exit for Michal Helik, and the additions of Mickel Miller and Lasse Sorensen, I still think Town need another starting centre-back. If Brodie Spencer and Michal Helik leave, that number would be 3!

All 6 of the goals that Town have conceded so far in pre-season (this was written before the game vs Hertha Berlin) have been from pace. Although Harrogate's first goal came from an initial slip from Ayina, Town were still carved open with pace, whether it was a mistake that lost possession or not. If Town wants to play with a high line, then I don't see how this problem can be solved without signing more athletic players.

Midfielders

Town's attention so far has been on midfield, Herbie Kane and Anthony Evans are both important deals and although Tom Iorpenda is not a new signing, he has now thrown his name into contention. Alex Matos and Jack Rudoni are the only midfielders from last season not at the club, the business Town has done so far has put them in a much more balanced position. Jonathan Hogg isn't someone who can be counted on to play 30 if not 25 games this season, but will be a useful squad option. Ben Wiles struggled last year and so far this season he has looked sharp and a lot more like the player Town thought they were signing, and if David Kasumu can remain fit, he will thrive too.

Neither Scott High nor Josh Austerfield were included in Town's tour squad to Austria and while it is not out of the possibility they could feature this year, I think both their Town careers are over and are likely to depart this summer.

When you consider the 6 senior midfielders Town have: Iorpenda, Wiles, Kasumu, Hogg, Kane and Evans, it is a lot more balanced than last year, but like in defence, Town need another midfielder with pace and athleticism. Kasumu does bring that, but as mentioned previously, I don't think you can count on Kasumu to remain injury free and as soon as he is injured, all the energy goes from midfield. I think Town are a midfielder short currently and I feel like I have been saying this for 5 years, it needs to be a replacement for Hogg.

Attackers

Town spent a lot of money in January on strikers, Rhys Healey and Bojan Radulovic signed for significant fees, yet it still doesn't feel like Town have a strike force that they are happy with.

Danny Ward, Josh Koroma, Tyreece Simpson (although he is set to leave the club) and Kian Harratt have all been used up front so far under Duff, then there is Kyle Hudlin and Keiran Phillips who are both employed by Town - It is very much quantity over quality. This is without considering Sorba Thomas (albeit it looks like Thomas is off to sign for Nantes in France) and Pat Jones who don't fully fit Duff's primary style.

Rhys Healey is going to start every game he is fit for, the problem is, will he be fit. I wasn't fully sure on Bojan Radulovic when he first signed, I think he is technically a good player, but if you can play in sub zero temperatures in Finland, but go down under the least amount of pressure from an opposition player, then I am mythed. The fact he missed the tour due to a slight knock, I am not sure he is up to playing for Town. With the Alfie May pursuit, it was encouraging to see Town go after that profile of striker, but Town now need to follow through and sign a replacement target. Joe Taylor at Luton would be a great option, albeit I am not sure how viable it would be to get done.

Conclusion

I think Town are three first team starters short: A defender, midfielder and striker, but it depends what they can do with getting players out. The overall squad size is 22 excluding under 21 players and goalkeepers, and Town are right on that limit, so they need to get out the likes of High, Austerfield, Jackson and Hudlin who are on the periphery to improve the squad. 4 in and 1 out so far is a bit slower than I thought Town would have acted, but I think it is going to move further towards the end of the window for Town to finish their business. When you look at Birmingham City's business so far, it is easy to get frustrated at the lack of business by Town, but equally, Town need to be sensible as blowing 8 figures on new players in League 1 isn't sustainable. It is a marathon, not a sprint after all!