In part 2 of our back to back midweek trips to top 4 opponents, we ventured north to West Yorkshire to face fellow relegated side Huddersfield Town.
Before their 1-0 defeat to managerless Bolton last time out, the Terrier’s hadn’t lost a league game since visiting St Andrews early on in October. Bolton might’ve ended their run, but Huddersfield still posed a significant challenge at home.
Blues welcomed Keshi Anderson and, briefly, Tomoki Iwata back to the starting lineup following their injuries, and lined up as follows: Allsop, Laird, Klarer, Davies, Cochrane, Leonard, Iwata, Gardner-Hickman, Dykes, Anderson and Stansfield. New loan signing from Rangers Kieran Dowell took his place on the bench.
The first 30 minutes were end to end, with both sides looking to press aggressively out of possession, yet neither having the quality to retain the ball under said pressure. Huddersfield had a chance in the first couple of minutes when they whipped a ball in from the left hand side to Dion Charles in the box, but it was headed over the bar.
Laird was given the freedom of the right flank, as Gardner-Hickman played a very narrow role and created a 3 man midfield with Iwata and Leonard. Laird’s athleticism showed as he broke in behind a couple of times, first getting scythed down by Brodie Spencer, and second cutting a ball back across which evaded Stansfield and gave Dykes a tricky chance that he didn’t take.
Despite playing most of the half very narrow, Gardner-Hickman was set free down the right and cut a dangerous ball across the Huddersfield box which evaded Dykes. Neither Anderson nor Leonard could convert after meeting the delivery on the far hand side of the box.
Anderson also looked bright on the left hand side, driving the ball forwards and causing Huddersfield problems, but Blues ultimately lacked a quality final ball to take the lead before half time, despite gaining control of the ball for the final 15 minutes of the half. Alex Cochrane looked to amend that lack of quality by delivering a whipped free kick in towards Klarer, who rose above his man but couldn’t direct his shot on target.
The home side looked dangerous on the counter, especially down the Blues right hand side as Laird took liberties going forwards and Gardner-Hickman played more centrally. They were given space to deliver a few balls into the box, but all were overhit or well dealt with by the robust Blues back line. Herbie Kane hit a shot which came to him deflected from a corner, but dragged wide past Ryan Allsop’s post.
Half time: Huddersfield 0-0 Blues
And yet, despite the lack of it in the first half, early into the second half we witnessed the quality that this side possesses. Gardner-Hickman met a deflected Leonard cross and nodded it across the edge of the box to Keshi Anderson. Keshi composed himself, took a touch with his chest and unleashed a venomous volley which scorched past the Huddersfield keeper into the back of the net. A top, top strike from the man who has been fantastic throughout this season. The goal was widely spread and appreciated across social media, beyond the scope of Blues fans.
In the 20 minutes that followed, both Blues and Huddersfield made several changes that broke the play up and disrupted any kind of rhythm. Huddersfield also approached the game in a rather aggressive manner, and were fortunate to only have one yellow card going into the last 15 of the 90. Jonathan Hogg could count himself amongst those lucky players already, before he lunged into Iwata and caught Tomoki high on his ankle, right in front of the referee. Adam Herczeg stood a yard away and apparently couldn’t justify a red card for a challenge that even Huddersfield fans online are surprised wasn’t punished. Hogg picked up a yellow card, which had he been booked earlier on in the game (notably for a late challenge on Marc Leonard) should’ve seen him see red regardless. I don’t often mention refereeing decisions, but that was a shocker.
Tomoki was forced off, unable to put any weight on his right foot, and was replaced by Krystian Bielik.
The Terriers were desperate to get an equaliser and Blues couldn’t regain control of the game. It wasn’t quite the onslaught delivered by Wrexham just a few days ago, but we were under pressure for the remainder of the 90 and the 10 minutes of additional time. That being said, as has become a staple of our game since the defeat at Shrewsbury, the Blues defence stood strong and survived. We threatened to counter on several occasions but just lacked the decision making or quality on the ball to make it count.
Kieran Dowell made his first appearance in Royal Blue off the bench, and had a decent chance to put the game to bed deep into stoppage time. Fellow substitute Krystian Bielik found himself in behind the right hand side of the Town defence and cut it back to Dowell, who perhaps didn’t realise he had as much space as he did. His first time shot sailed over the bar.
Still, the wonderstrike from Keshi keeps Blues at the top of the table by 2 points despite Wycombe coming back from behind to beat Barnsley, in a game where Marc Roberts was sent off after giving away a penalty. 4 points from back to back away trips to promotion rivals is a fantastic return, and sets Blues up really nicely for the remainder of the season. We’ve played all of the current top 6 away, and only have Wycombe and Leyton Orient at home remaining. We could really pull away from the pack in February, where we play 4 home league games (including a game in hand against Cambridge) before welcoming Wycombe to St Andrews on the 1st March.
Chris Davies’ blue army keeps marching on, and are consistently showing the quality, fight and desire required to win a title. It’s our title to lose – and our relentlessness gives me confidence that’s not going to happen.
Keep Right On!
Full time: Huddersfield 0-1 Blues (Anderson)
Ratings
Starting XI
Ryan Allsop: 8
Once again, his shot-stopping skills were rarely called upon, but what goes generally unnoticed is Allsop is great at claiming crosses and long balls which he did plenty of times today.
He's also the best passing goalkeeper I've ever seen at Blues, and found Laird with quality consistently, especially in the first half. Superb display from the boyhood bluenose.
Ethan Laird: 8
Laird's really come into form since returning to the starting 11, and he put on another strong display today. His pace and athleticism got him in behind the defence plenty in the first half, and he should feel unfortunate to not have one of his crosses converted by Dykes or Stansfield. Solid defensively too, playing smart to win free kicks throughout the game, relieving pressure on his teammates at the back.
Christoph Klarer: 8
Yet another strong defensive display from Christoph, who again wore the armband prior to Bielik's introduction in the second half. He deals with pressure and balls into the box exceptionally well, as well as having good ball playing abilities in his locker. One of our best signings from the summer rebuild put in another great shift.
Ben Davies: 7
Ben Davies also stood up strong to the challenge, dealing with danger when called into action. The Rangers loanee knows when to play and when to clear it and not take the risk, providing a great balance to the back 4.
Alex Cochrane: 7
Alex's delivery from set pieces stood out today as he caused Huddersfield problems at almost every opportunity. Another really consistent player, Cochrane balanced his role getting forwards and staying defensively solid to great effect once more.
Tomoki Iwata: 7
It was fantastic to see Tomoki back from injury, and we all hope that Hogg's dangerous challenge doesn't leave a lasting mark and keep him out for longer. Although not his absolute best display, as you'd expect following an injury, he exudes composure and calmness. He played slightly deeper than his midfield counterparts for most of the match, before swapping with Leonard more later on. He clearly adds top quality to this side, and will be missed if he's kept out for longer.
Marc Leonard: 7
Leonard put on one of his better displays from his run of games in the first team, playing a slightly more advanced role for most of the game compared to usual and offering creativity with some neat flicks and first time passes. Not all of them came off, but I thought he was our best midfielder on the day.
Taylor Gardner-Hickman: 6
TGH was characteristically "industrious", as the BluesTV commentators like to say, but lacked his usually sound technical ability tonight. Too many first touches were loose, and his drives forward were easily shepherded away from danger and frequently lead to losing possession. That being said, he did deliver one great ball across the box which Dykes was close to getting on the end of.
Lyndon Dykes: 7
I'm still not wholly convinced by Dykes in the 10, but his fluid play with Stansfield meant they often rotated and Lyndon found himself up against the back line and in the box frequently. His link-up play wasn't quite there today, often lacking a quality first touch similar to TGH, but looked dangerous in the box and was close to latching onto a couple of crosses that could've seen his name on the scoresheet.
Keshi Anderson: 8 - Man of the Match
It's great to see Keshi back in the side, and he showed what we've been lacking out wide in recent weeks. Quality, a bit of pace and determination to drive forwards as well as discipline regarding his defensive duties.
That being said, his winning goal will steal the limelight and rightly so. A fantastic volley sent the travelling supporters into raptures and he will rightly count himself amongst the contenders for goal of the season come May. My man of the match.
Jay Stansfield: 6
I'm not sure what it is with Jay at the moment, but he doesn't look quite on it. Maybe he's carrying a knock, but despite working hard he's lacking that bit of extra "oomph" to get himself on the scoresheet again, even though he played up front today and found himself in better goalscoring positions as a result. Laird's ball across in the first half might've been hit with pace, but I think if he threw himself at it he could've made a connection. Still, he's got bags of quality, a superb mindset, and I'm sure it won't be too long before he's back at his best.
Subs
Scott Wright: 6
Scott replaced Keshi on the 67th minute, and despite finding a lot of space to counter in during the second half, couldn't utilise his pace to cause Huddersfield too many problems. There was one moment in particular in the last 15 minutes where he picked up the ball on the half way line but allowed the Huddersfield defender time to get back and dispossess him, when I expected him to capitalise and hit the Terriers on the counter.
Krystian Bielik: 6
Captain Krys replaced Iwata following his injury, and put in a good shift to see the game out. I don't think any of us expected to see him in behind on the left in the last few minutes, but his movement to find the space was good and his ball to pick out Dowell was excellent.
Kieran Dowell: 6
New man Dowell replaced Stansfield in the final 10 minutes and showed glimpses of what he can do, always looking to play the ball forwards with quality and found himself in good space not long before the final whistle, but just lacked composure to take a touch before shooting. He could become a big player for us this season with Willumsson somewhat regularly out injured or lacking form.
Grant Hanley: N/A
Hanley also made his first appearance for the club and replaced TGH, using his experience to good effect to help us see the result out.
Alfie May: N/A
Alfie replaced Dykes up front in the final few minutes and was greeted by plenty of boos by the home crowd after he opted to sign for us instead of them in the summer window. He had a half chance on the counter, but Huddersfield defended well and made his shot difficult. Fantastic bit of shit-housing from him towards the home fans too.
