Huddersfield Town vs Rochdale

Competition: Carabao Cup Round 1

Date: 05/09/2020

Score: 0-1

Ground: John Smith Stadium

Starting 11

1. Ben Hamer GK

Didn't have much work to do in the game. He was caught flat footed for the goal, although not entirely his fault as Eoghan O'Connell was not picked up by the defence. The goal came from the only shot on target he faced. 4/10

29. Aaron Rowe RB

Filling in at Right Back while Town are still after a Senior Right Back, Aaron pressed well and stopped any threat Rochdale posed in open play down his side. In my opinion he produced his best performance in Blue and White since signing from Leyton Orient. 6/10

26. Christopher Schindler RCB

Schindy like Hamer didn't have much work to do and was the second player at fault for Rochdale's goal. Maybe he could be forgiven as it was his first game since he played against West Brom in July. 4/10

27. Romoney Crichlow LCB

Romoney continued his form from pre season into this game, he looked solid at the back and on the ball although sometimes he could be guilty on misplacing his pass when trying to bring the ball out of defence. For me he was our best player yesterday and someone I look forward to watching in future weeks. 7/10

3. Harry Toffolo LB

He should have scored a header from a corner from Alex Pritchard. Gave away the needless free kick which resulted in the Rochdale goal. Filled in well as a LCB when Schindler went off. 5/10

30. Ben Jackson LCM

After being named on the Town bench twice during December 2019, Jackson got his debut nearly 9 months later. Although normally a Left Back, Ben played in midfield a position he played during pre season. His passing really impressed me and he really should have had an assist if it wasn't for Bacuna thinking he scored before he actually shot. I hope Ben builds on this performance in future games but a good debut. 6/10

10. Alex Pritchard CM

Alex can certainly be guilty of leaving Town fans wanting more from his performances. Playing deeper in a number 8 role rather than the number 10, seems to take the pressure off him. With this being said he needed to offload the ball quicker against Rochdale. A positive for Town is that Pritch completed his first full 90 in over a year since he played against Cardiff Away at the start of last season. 5/10

6. Jonathon Hogg RCM

Not a vintage Hogg performance and he certianly didn't look his usual self before being subbed in the 69'. In my opinion he was at fault for the Rochdale disallowed goal as it was Crichlow who was in the best position to clear it. 4/10

19. Josh Koroma RW

Josh's best contribution of the game was when he brought a diagonal down from Bacuna before fizzing it low towards goal which was well saved by Rochdale's 18 year old keeper. I think he had an ok game, sometimes he needs to think about the ball he is playing or whether to shoot is the right option. 5/10

25. Danny Ward ST

Danny ran around, he was starved of the ball many times and this showed by him only making 19 touches in the 79 minutes he spent on the pitch. I don't think Ward is the player to replace Grant as our main goalscoring threat but I think he has the potential to score us 10-12 goals this season. 5/10

7. Juninho Bacuna LW

A player that is so infuriating but also has the ability to be the best player on the pitch. Juninho made 4 key passes during the game - the most of any player, he teed Koroma up well but he really should have finished Ben Jackson's cross. I think the Left Wing position is best for him as it means if he loses the ball there are at least 7 outfield players left for the opposition to go through whereas if he is playing right back or in midfield this isn't always the case. 6/10

Used Substitutes

11. Adama Diakhaby

I don't know where to start with Adama, he clearly has talent, he is rapid and I think he performs best when he is able to run on to balls and has space to run at the defence. During the game he was receiving the ball too far up the pitch and was not playing to his strengths. 4/10

18. Isaac Mbenza

For someone who played only 185 minutes of football in a Town shirt last season before being loaned out to Amiens, Isaac came on in the 69' replacing Jonathon Hogg. He very nearly equalised for Town in the 90' only for Rochdale's on loan Manchester City 'keeper Gavin Bazunu to deny him. Looked like Town's brightest spark off the bench. 6/10

33. Josh Austerfield

I was surprised he did not start after a brilliant pre season. In his 11 minutes on the pitch he was composed on the ball, completing 12/13 passes. 5/10