[Archived] Match Report: Huddersfield Town 1 - 1 Blackburn Rovers

[Kamy100]

Parsonblue's match report:

Saturday 15^th August 2015 – Football League Championship

Huddersfield Town 1 v 1 Blackburn Rovers

Huddersfield Town (1) 1

Wells 9

Joe Murphy; Joel Lynch, Mark Hudson, Tommy Smith; Jason Davidson, Jonathan Hogg, Dean Whitehead, Jacob Butterfield, Sean Scannell; Ishmael Miller (Harry Bunn, 72), Nahki Wells.

Subs not used: Lloyd Allinson (gk), Martin Cranie, Murray Wallace, Jordy Hiwula, Kyle Dempsey, Adam Hammill.

Manager: Chris Powell

Blackburn Rovers (0) 1

Delfouneso 60

David Raya; Adam Henley, Grant Hanley, Shane Duffy, Marcus Olsson; Jason Lowe, Danny Guthrie (Hope Akpan 59); Modou Barrow (Nathan Delfouneso 59), Ben Marshall, Craig Conway; Jordan Rhodes (Fodé Koita 49).

Subs not used: Jason Steele (gk), Tommy Spurr, Matt Kilgallon, Lee Williamson.

Manager: Gary Bowyer

Referee: Mr. P. Bankes

Bookings: Huddersfield Town – Mark Hudson, Dean Whitehead

Blackburn Rovers – None

This game turned on a brave double substitution by Gary Bowyer on the hour mark. Having just used his first substitute, Fodé Koita to replace the injured Jordan Rhodes, the manager threw caution to the wind with the introduction of Nathan Delfouneso and Hope Akpan and a switch to a 4-4-2 system. His bravery was rewarded with an equaliser and a much improved second half performance and, above all, the first point on the board.

After the poor performance on Tuesday night it was no surprise that Bowyer should revert to the team which started against Wolves, the only change being Modou Barrow replacing Delfouneso on the right wing. Delfouneso was on the bench along with other new signings Koite and Akpan.

The Rovers started the game in lively fashion and within the opening minute had forced a corner. After five minutes, Rhodes blasted a free-kick against the Huddersfield wall and the ball flew over the bar for another corner.

However, Huddersfield’s first real attack, on seven minutes, produced a corner after Marcus Olsson appeared to have been fouled in the build-up. From the corner there was complete chaos in the area as the Rovers threw bodies in the way of shots to block the ball but it was desperate stuff. However, as the ball was played out to Sean Scannell, the Huddersfield winger quickly crossed the ball and found the head of Ishmael Miller who produced a bullet like header from point blank range which David Raya did well to keep out with a spectacular piece of goalkeeping. Sadly, Nahki Wells was the first to react and he picked up the rebound and fired home from close range.

The goal seemed to rock the Rovers and within minutes Danny Guthrie had been caught in possession and when the ball was played forward Grant Hanley headed clear as Raya was about to catch the ball.

At this point the Rovers looked extremely vulnerable in defence with Hanley and Shane Duffy seemingly on different wavelengths in terms of where to hold the line – Duffy looking to push up and play a high line whilst Hanley was dropping back to man mark. Whenever a ball was thrown into the Rovers area there seemed utter confusion between the two centre backs.

After their bright start, the Rovers were well and truly on the back foot although Barrow produced a sparkling run after fifteen minutes which resulted in him putting a low ball across the edge of the penalty area for Craig Conway to whip in a shot which curled just inches wide of the post.

Miller, who was being given a fair bit of leeway by a very lenient referee, was played through by Jacob Butterfield after he intercepted a poor pass from Guthrie. However, the former Manchester City striker fired wide when he really ought to have at least got a shot on target.

The Rovers responded with a rare attack which resulted in Conway getting another cross into the box which was punched away by Joe Murphy.

The Rovers produced their best move of the half on thirty-five minutes when Guthrie picked out Rhodes with a peach of a pass that set the former Huddersfield striker free in the penalty area. As he struck his shot, Murphy was quick off his line to block the ball which then rebounded against Rhodes for a goalkick.

Miller had another effort off target before the referee ended with half with the Rovers being fortunate to be just one behind. The defending had, at times, been simply chaotic with the midfield doing little to support a back four that had come under increasing pressure and had shown all the signs of cracking.

The Rovers suffered a major blow within minutes of the restart when Rhodes was felled by a hefty and late challenge by Dean Whitehead. After lengthy treatment Rhodes was unable to continue and was replaced by Koita. From the resultant free-kick Duffy headed over.

The Rovers were struggling to find any rhythm to their passing with far too many passes going astray. It was at this point, on fifty-nine minutes, that Bowyer made the move to add more impetus to the Rovers attack with the introduction of Delfouneso and Akpan and a switch to 4-4-2 with Marshall reverting to the right wing. It produced instant results and within a minute the Rovers were level.

Marshall crossed a ball into the box from the right and Koita rose to head the ball down to Delfouneso who, in an instant, hammered the ball into the back of the net.

The goal seemed to rejuvenate the Rovers and suddenly they started to move the ball around at speed as Delfouneso worked the channels and Koita dominated in more central positions. Indeed, the two almost opened up the home defence again with good link up play before the ball was cleared.

However, on sixty-seven minutes Raya was called into action to palm away a terrific effort from Butterfield and was then forced to save a follow up shot from Scannell before the ball was finally cleared by Olsson.

Wells then had a chance to work the goalkeeper but pulled his effort wide.

Despite these chances it was the Rovers who looked the more likely side as they moved the ball about with confidence and in Conway they had a constant threat down the left flank. On seventy-two minutes Koita played a lovely ball out to Conway on the wing who showed a fair turn of speed to race past the full-back but, unfortunately, just as he moved into the area to deliver his pass he slipped and the ball went harmlessly out of play.

A minute later and Conway flashed another ball across the goalmouth but no one could get on the end of it.

During the final ten minutes it had become a really entertaining game with both sides looking for a winner without really overcommitting as neither side wanted to let anything slip at the last minute. Ultimately a draw was a very fair result and probably satisfied both managers after both had suffered a difficult first week of the season.

For the Rovers it was something of a curate’s egg performance. The defending in the first half was poor, not just the back four but from the midfield in front of them. David Raya did everything that could be expected of him in goal and continues to look the part. He was very unfortunate with the goal, having made a brilliant save only to be let down by the sluggish reaction of the defenders to the loose ball. Both Adam Henley and Marcus Olsson had their hands full with Huddersfield’s speedy wide players and neither was able to really get forward and add much to the attack. However, the real worry was the centre-back pairing which continues to live on a knife-edge. There appears little understanding between the two and both seemed at odds with each other at times. In fairness, Hanley performed exceptionally well in the second half and looked the far more dominant figure of the two.

Whilst the Rovers always looked dangerous down the flanks with Modou Barrow and Craig Conway impressing with their speed and ability to get behind the defence, the Rovers didn’t quite fire on all cylinders in the centre of the park. Ben Marshall drifted in and out of the game playing just behind Rhodes whilst neither Jason Lowe nor Danny Guthrie were able to get forward to provide sufficient service to Rhodes. Guthrie looked the more likely to open up the defence, and did so on one occasion, but a number of his passes were short and easily intercepted. Lowe, as usual, was athletic and covered a lot of ground and won a few tackles. However, there were times when the game simply passed him by and too many passes simply didn’t lead anywhere other than back.

Jordan Rhodes was restricted to one chance in the first half and struggled to get into the game because of a lack of service.

The introduction of the three substitutes completely changed the game for the Rovers, together with a change in tactics to suit the new arrivals. Nathan Delfouneso won the approval of the fans with his goal and movement. He works the channels, is quick and looks to make runs behind the defence. Fodé Koita, although admittedly raw, has a real presence about him and puts defenders under physical pressure. Like Rudy Gestede, he is good in the air and can shield the ball and hold it up before laying it off to those around him. As he finds his feet in English football he could become a very shrewd signing on behalf of the manager. Hope Akpan added movement, pace and some welcome power in the centre of park. He appears to have all the attributes required for the holding player but has the ability to get forward and take the play to the opposition rather than simply looking for the easy pass backwards.

Perhaps one of the most surprising aspects of this performance was the fact that Gary Bowyer, a seemingly intrinsically cautious manager at heart, should embrace the gamble he did in a bid to alter the destiny of the game and the points. Bowyer often gets stick for his substitutions, which are often seen as negative and reactive, but today he was positive and proactive and got the reward he and the team deserved.

[Tom]

Thanks Parson that gives those of us that didn't go a good view of the game tinted with your usual brand of cheery optimism.

Appreciated as always.

[DE.]

If you read the last paragraph out of context you'd have assumed we won the game rather than drew

Really concerning to keep reading that Hanley and Duffy are failing to communicate with each other. Bowyer needs to either replace one of them with Kilgallon or work out why the pair of them can't get their act together and sort it out. I can't see the latter happening, so hopefully the former will.

[Feniscowles Blue]

You might as well lose 10-0,than 1-0. It's no gamble to change things when you are losing. It paid off this time when he finally realised BM is a winger.

Last season we needed a gamble when drawing at home. That's the problem with bowyer

[SamTheShrew]

The failing partnership of hanley and Duffy once again highlighted in stark terms. Why is this not addressed from the management?

[arbitro]

Pretty much my feelings from the game. The centre back pairing is a real worry. Both were clearly uncomfortable with each other in the first half but in fairness they were both better in the second half, particularly with Akpan in front of them. Early days I know but he at least looked like he knows how to play the defensive midfield role which our other so called defensive midfielders clearly don't.

[Coatbridge rover]

Well we use killgallon or bring in a centre half on loan simples.Great read parsons and ten times better than the telewag,are you and Alf Thornton related?

[Al]

Yes we can use Killgallon to sort out the CH problem but I see no answer in the squad for both full backs within the squad who are our biggest defensive problem as I see it.

[Neil Weaver]

I'm no great Olsson fan but he did OK yesterday. Scannell (the Hudds right winger) almost always has a field day against us but Olsson did a really good job on him (with a bit of help from Conway) - there weren't too many crosses from that side.

[Commondore]

Thanks for the report Parson, much appreciated.

It's disheartening to hear that we played better when Bowyer reverted to a 4-4-2, as I feel that clinging to that formation was a big part of our troubles last season. It might be worth a punt if we're chasing a game, but in the long run we simply have to find a working formation with a 5-man midfield.

[Blue blood]

Great read Parson and that more than answers my questions from the match day thread, cheers.

[Al]

I'm no great Olsson fan but he did OK yesterday. Scannell (the Hudds right winger) almost always has a field day against us but Olsson did a really good job on him (with a bit of help from Conway) - there weren't too many crosses from that side.

That's where the Huddersfield goal from though!

[Neil Weaver]

Yep, true enough, it came from a right wing cross, but if Scannell had been able to get as many crosses in as he generally does against us Hudds would have scored another three or four. The central defence was far worse (for the first half at least) and I thought Olsson did OK defensively - at the expense going forward, which is usually his stronger suit.

[philipl]

"shambles at the back" = Manager badly at fault

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

"shambles at the back" = Manager badly at fault

Don't think it is just manager - coaches have to take some of the blame.

[Al]

Don't think it is just manager - coaches have to take some of the blame.

Coaches coach in the way the manager instructs them. The buck stops.

[DE.]

Don't think it is just manager - coaches have to take some of the blame.

Perhaps, but the manager always carries the can for this type of thing. I'm sure coaches weren't mentioned when we were a defensive mess under Ince or Kean.

[rovers11]

I thought Akpan looked very impressive when he came on. Looked very strong and a good passer too. An improvement in there I'd say on what we already have. Never want to see Evans or Williamson play for us again. Can just about bear to see Lowe play as at least he runs about a bit! Shunt him to rb though.

[briansol]

Liked Akpan too. Finally a powerful unit in the middle who also was better on the ball then expected. Also thought Koita and Delfy worked well as a pairing. If you take a close look at the goal you'll see Delfy being outside the box when the cross is floated in. He makes a very good run and Koita shows great awareness to set him up with a cushioned header. There was also a couple of other incidents where they combine in a fashion that Gestede and Rhodes rarely did. Mostly by Delfy keeping close enough to his striker partner. Was also impressed by Delfy putting in a defensive shift, he tracked back quite a bit to help out.

Koita is far more powerful and better in the air than I expected. I thought he would be more a quick winger who also could play as a striker, but the guy seems like a decent Gestede replacement. He might not score as many, but is better at bringing people into play and run with the ball. I also think he is a good fit for Jordan. Delfy has both pace and is decent in the air so definetly an improvement on Varney/Brown.