The Managers.
A lot has been said about this season and no doubt a lot will continue to be said. The season started with some feeling of hope for the future. Neil Warnock had managed to work wonders with Ronnie Jepson in tow by keeping us in the Championship. He had responded to the ‘one more year Warnock’ pleas and agreed to stay on. The relationship from the outside between owner Kevin Nagle and Warnock appeared strong and it appeared that the understanding was that Warnock was to remain in charge until a long term replacement was sourced. He lasted just until 20th September with 2 wins, 2 draws and 4 losses in his 7 games in charge (including a home loss in the League Cup). The lowest point being a 4-0 home loss to Norwich, but in contrast he registered a 2-1 win at West Brom. Perhaps not all was well between owner and manager before this as there was talk that Warnock thought there were more funds for wages at the time of agreeing Danny Ward, Josh Ruffels and Josh Koroma staying on when there wasn’t. This meant that the team started the season a little short with personel upfront and in the middle of the park.
Darren Moore was identified to be the key man to take the side forward with a clear direction of Premier League football in 3 seasons. There had been a lot of talk that the new man was going to be a big name and the long-term solution for the club. Unfortunately, like many I was left somewhat underwhelmed with the appointment but was hoping that the club having done their due diligence he would come good. Moore remained in charge until 29th January recording 3 wins, 11 draws and 9 losses (including a Cup loss). The high point being the 3-0 home win against Blackburn on Boxing Day with the low point a 4-0 home loss to Cardiff City in October. Moore never got to build his own team, new signings arrived in January but he had no time to be able to work with them. A record of 3 wins in 23 games though is not good enough for any manager to remain in their post.
Jon Worthington stepped in as interim manager whilst Moores’ replacement was sourced. In Worthingtons’ 4 games in charge he recorded 2 wins and 2 losses. This included a 4-0 home win against Sheffield Wednesday and a 5-3 loss at Southampton. During these 4 games we saw a belief in the team which had barely been apparent at any other time of the season. Worthington had made it clear that he was not looking for the position long term and a replacement arrived on 15th February.
Andre Breitenreiter was drafted in, he recorded 2 wins,5 draws and 6 losses before the end of the season. The positivity which had arrived during Worthingtons’ reign had soon dissipated and Town finished 23rd in the league. A 4-0 home loss to Swansea being the low point, however it did start positively with a 2-1 win at Watford. In the closing weeks of the season Breitenreiter had made it clear that there were problems at the club. Too many of the players were lacking in fight, commitment and quality, he said he had not experienced so many problems at a club before.
The Owner.
A first full season as owner has not been anything that I’m sure the American owner would have expected. Having arrived late last season Kevin Nagle endeared himself to the fanbase with his visibility in the Town and willingness to engage with anyone. He appeared to establish a good relationship with Neil Warnock and was making all the right noises. Having existing experience of football management with his existing club in USA, Sacremento the hopes were high. Nagle did have his hands tied with regards budgets in the summer as he could not invest heavily due to restrictions from the previous regime. His local staff in charge of running things, Jake Edwards (CEO) and Mark Cartwright (Sporting Director) have not had a good season. A lot of the failed responsibility should lay on the shoulders of both. The decision making appears very questionable with the timing of the More appointment and the timing of the sacking, let alone the calibre of individual. It remains to be seen if they have it right this time although early signs have not been positive. Andre Breitenreiters’ record in Germany is better then what Darren Moores’ record in England was so hopefully given time he will turn things around in League One, that is provided he is up for the challenge. It now remains to be seen if Nagle will back the manager in League One.
The Players.
Having shipped 77 goals in the league this season it has not been one to remember for our goalkeepers. Having said that I’m not sure how much they are to blame for the situation. Nicholls played 37 times, Maxwell 9, and Chapman 2. The experienced Maxwell looked good as did Nicholls for the most part. Nicholls perhaps did not pull out as many outstanding performances as past years but still has plenty to offer. The young Jacob Chapman came in and did very well as well. If being critical the one part of Nicholls game which could be better is his distribution.
Michal Helik played 42 games during the season and finished top scorer with 9 goals. The big Polish central defender has been very impressive and a big threat at the top end of the pitch. Will Town be able to hold onto him next year, quite possibly not, but we have to hope that we can.
Matty Pearson played 39 times with 3 goals. He is best suited as a centre back but was often used as a right back. Pearson (the Keighley Cannovaro) gives his all for the team, yes he has short comings but plays with his heart on the sleeve. We are definitely weaker when Pearson operates at right back but the need for him to play there perhaps shows the lack of strength in depth we have had this season. He should do well as a centre back in the side next season in League One.
Tom Lees played 32 times during the season without registering a goal. Lees season was hampered by injuries meaning he wa sin and out of the side a lot. Lees might not be the quickest but he reads the game well as a central defender.
Edmonds-Green (14 games) played a bit part until being sold in January to Charlton. He always looked comfortable on the ball but lacked leadership qualities and his path to the first team was constantly blocked with Helik, Pearson and Lees ahead of him. Radinio Balker (6 games) arrived in January from Groningen but he struggled to complete 90 minutes in his games. Balker looks comfortable on the ball but would he command a starting position over the experienced 3 centre backs?
Yuta Nakayama (24 games) returned from his injuries of last season but again had injury problems. Yuta is best used as an attacking left back but was rarely used in that position, he did play as a holding midfielder, left winger, centre back more than in his best position. With his contract now at an end I feel he will move on. Ollie Turton (3 games) another with injury problems finally got back into the side. Ollie provides consistency, you know what you are going to get with Ollie but his injuries are an ongoing concern. Ben Jackson (27 games) clocked up a good number of appearances during the season but again he was used across various positions and never allowed to build any consistency. Jaheim Headley (30 games, 1 goal) played a lot of football and was used consistently as an attacking left back but with him pushing on and often no left centre back the use of Headley was often counterproductive. Josh Ruffells (11 games) was involved in games early in the season but after injury we saw no more of Josh. He is a very defensive minded left back and perhaps not the quickest at reading the game but a honest hardworker. Tom Edwards made 13 appearances whilst on loan from Stoke. Edwards never looked comfortable within the side, he struggled in some games and looked slow and unfit, however it is fair to say that the fans did not support Edwards and it did appear that perhaps he did not fit into the squad.
Jonathan Hogg played 35 times during the season with no goals. Hoggy struggled with injuries as the season went on and he has got slower, he has always been good at managing games but is struggling to have as much effect as in past years, having said that we certainly have missed him when he was unavailable. His contract expires now so we will see soon if we have him still around at the club, personally all good things must come to an end so perhaps it is time for Hoggy to move on.
David Kasumu played 31 games (1 goal), again another one that struggled for consistency and could find himself having a good game one week and then on the bench the next so hardly surprising that he would struggle. Kasumu also played as a holding midfielder, in a more advanced midfield role and as a right back, so again hardly surprising that we did not get the best out of him. Kasumu can come good for us but he needs to be coached better, the decisions on the ball are not affective enough.
Jack Rudoni played 36 times and scored 5 times. Jack has struggled for consistancy but he plays best when he plays in a deeper role picking up the ball and laying it off. Too often he feels the need to beat the man in front but he then gets shepherded down the channel until he looses possession. Jack needs to learn to be part of the team, he doesn’t need to be the match winner every week and then the consistency will come.
Alex Matos played 19 times over the season since arriving on loan from Chelsea in January. Matos a combative central midfielder brought some much needed quality into the side but was not often used alongside Hogg which may have given the front line more of a base to attack from. Ibrahim Diarra made 22 appearances over the season 16 from the bench. He was out of favour with Breitenreiter and over the years never seen an end result in Diarra. He is quick and good on the ball but has continually failed at being able to pass at the right moment. Being out of contract in the Summer it is likely that Diarras’ Huddersfield career is at an end.
Ben Wiles signed from Rotherham at the start of the season clocked up 31 appearances over the season with 10 of them being from the bench. Much was expected of Ben but unfortunately he failed to deliver. In his defence he was asked to play different roles with different players alongside himself each time he took to the pitch but still Ben really under delivered. Hopefully we will see the best of Ben at League one level and give him a chance to settle into the team with a run in the side.
Scott High and Conor Mahoney both played in 1 cup game prior to their respective loan deals. Scott going to Ross County (2 games) and Dundalk (12 games 1 goal). Scott has never really been able to kick on since his initial performances for Town and perhaps it is time for him to build his career elsewhere. Conor went to Gillingham (39 games and 7 goals) and finished top scorer. He never really settled at Town but dependant upon who stays and who goes there may become an opportunity for Conor to be involved with the side next season, although as I believe his contract expires I feel it likely that he will be released.
Josh Austerfield appeared 3 times (2 starts) for Town but really I feel would benefit through a season long loan where he could get regular first team competitive football. Tom Iorpenda made 3 appearances from the bench. He was often on the bench but not used much. Again we need to either get him more involved or allow him the opportunity of a loan even if it is only till the January transfer window. Loick Ayina managed 3 appearances (2 substitute) before his loan spell with Ross County (9 games). I’m not convinced that Ayina has a long term future at Town but if he does he needs to be involved this season or have a full season loan at a competitive level.
Sorba Thomas (42 games, 4 goals) is perhaps the must divisive character in the team. He has undoubted skill but his understanding with his team mates is not there. Consistency of the quality of his dead balls is not good enough although it is fair to say that he has had a good season but the consistency has not been there. When Sorba plays we tend to be a little one dimensional with all the attacks coming through him and then we become easier to defend against. Is it time for Sorba to go? I think probably. Many believe he is the main catalyst for disruption within the team environment and he may be, but a lot of this is speculation with no tangible evidence.
Pat Jones finally recovered from persistent injuries and made 8 appearances over the season. Pat is direct and appears to be very hit or miss with his performances. He shows a lot of naivety at times and needs to play the simple ball some of the time rather than beating his man every time. I think a season long loan of competitive football could serve him well with the option to recall in January.
Josh Koroma (39 appearances, 6 goals) made a lot of appearances over the season although not enough end product from him. He still has not emulated his breakthrough season yet. Always wants to cut inside from the left onto his right foot and the opposition know what to expect. He usually gives full effort but as the season went on his head did drop and went through the motions. I like Koroma but don’t feel he is good enough for the Championship and although we are not there next season that is where we want to get back to so feel if he does stay this should be his last season with Town.
Delano Burgzorg (33 games, 6 goals) rivals Thomas as a divisive character, certainly the more infuriating. He undoubtedly possesses the skill but has one thing on his mind when he gets the ball and that is to beat his man (which he much prefers to do 2 or 3 times even at the risk of losing possession). Unfortunately, Delano will be remembered for failing to pass to Healey when scores were level at Stoke as opposed to scoring the winner at Sunderland. He is one of the most selfish footballers at Town in a long time and whilst his body language often showed that he did not put in the effort I feel he did care and the abuse he received hurt and had a negative effect on his performances. Delanos’ loan period will end and he will return to his parent club.
Danny Ward (20 games, 3 goals) struggled again with injuries. Danny always puts in the graft but lacks a consistent end product. He will rarely hit double figures and as he encounters more and more injuries and does play better when wide men or players in the ‘number 10 role’ get in and around him. I don’t mind Danny staying as a squad player but equally if he was to move on it would be no bis loss.
Bojan Radulovic (12 games 8 as a substitute, 1 goal) arrived in January from the Finnish league where he was scoring freely. The Spanish born striker struggled for fitness and was usually used from the bench and unable to affect the matches. He looked good at Stoke and then was benched again in the next match. I feel that the club failed Bojan but that he could be a part of the clubs future, hopefully so anyway. In the 4 games that Bojan started we won 2 and drew 2, interesting fact in season of little success.
Rhys Healey (11 games 6 as a substitute, 3 goals) arrived and instantly there were concerns of fitness. After a stop start introduction Rhys showed a good attitude and looks to have a good finish in him. He works hard for the cause and should have a good season in League One, but can he be consistent and can he hit double figures, or 20 a season, only tome will tell.
Kian Harratt (16 games, 2 goals) has had his troubles in his short career, the latest of which was a ban for betting on football matches. This speaks of a lack of maturity and I feel it may be time to let Kian move on. Having said that he could do a job at League One level, but I doubt that he will establish himself at a higher level. Kyle Hudlin (10 games, 1 goal) does not look good enough for Huddersfield. He lacks the all round qualities required and I feel he should be given the opportunity to move on.
Overall this has been a season we will want to forget, but learn from. We had a lack of consistency, playing different formations game after game and different players game after game. It is understandable when there are injuries or due to a lack of form but this was not often the case. Across the defence we operated with a centre back at right back, with a back 5, a back 4, a central 3 with wing backs. The centre back partnerships were never consistent. Whilst Pearson and Helik weighed in with goals we only produced 1 other goal from across the defenders during the season. Across midflield we had games where we had nobody operating on 1 flank with 1 or 2 operating on the opposite flank, unfortunately we often looked like we tactically had no idea how to play. If loosing a game by the 1 goal we would on occasions take off the whole midfield and operate with 5 strikers. Hardly surprising that we then saw less of the ball and conceded 4 goals. Unfortunately there was little done right this season, but looking for the silver lining, we should now learn from these mistakes and move forward.
View From the Stand 