We picked up where we had finished off the previous game by Tom Lees scoring his third goal in 2 games with a header from a corner on the 13th minute and Town did create further chances which with better composure would have seen in us in a strong position. The game was very even though with Forest having most of the posession and backed by a vociferous home crowd which swayed the ref a little. The result could have gone eitehr way and in the end Forest saw it through coming from behind with goals from Surridge and Yates in the first half. Town were under strength and it did show at times. Ruffels making a mistake for the winner and a lack of strength in the midfield.

Blackman 5, Sarr 5, Lees 6, Pearson 6, Russels 4, Hogg 5, Eiting 5, Pipa 5, Thomas 6 (MOM), Sinani 4, Holmes 5.

It was good to get a win of Peterborough partly to avenge the play off final defeat of 10/11 by the same score line. It was the most comfortable match for many a year that we had scoring twice on the first 7 minutes made the game a non-contest. Sinani finish with a well placed shot of 2 previous efforts by Town had been blocked and then Tom Lees finishing with a header. We continued to dominate the game and perhaps should have won by a much bigger margin than 3 when Lees weighed in with his second on the 72nd minute.

Rating – Nicholls 7, Pearson 7, Lees 8 (MOM), Turton 7, Toffolo 7, Sinani 6, Russell 8, O’Brien 8, Thomas 7, Ward 7, Holmes 6.

Town dominated the game from the start and although Cardiff tried bullying Town, kicking players off the ball consistently and picking up 7 yellow cards Town still controlled the game. A year ago we would have succumbed to the tactics but not this time. Despite all the dominance we failed to really create great openings until teh second half and then against the run of play Cardiff strung a couple of passes together and scored. The Welsh outfit had relied upon the long punt and see what would happen. They were lucky to keep 11 players on the pitch and subbed Hugill before he got sent off as he had got away woith 2 clear elbows in the first half but not the one in the second. Town rallied after conceding and drove forward equalising through Koroma on 88 minutes and Russell scoring the winner on the 96th minute. Cardiff had been time wasting since the first minute of the game and there had been a long injury to Lees which accounted for the 9 minutes added time.

Nicholls 8, Turton 8, Pearson 7, Lees 7, Thomas 9 (MOM), Russell 8, O’Brien 8, Ruffels 6, Sinani 5, Ward 7, Holmes 7.

Carlos 7

Nothing expected from this game against free scoring Fulham but Town pulled off the shock. We dug in deep to defent and see if we could snatch anything at the other end and it worked a treat. The one good attacking move resulting in Danny Ward nipping in and snatching a lead on 31 minutes. Then again against the run of play Town broke away and THomas won a dubious penalty which Holmes despatched to send in 2-0 up at half-time. The second half was all Fulham as they pressed to get back into the game but Town defended well and if we had of looked after the ball better on the odd brake away we could have gone 3 up. In the end Fulham snatched a late goal but Town comfortably held on.

Nicholls 8, Lees 7, Pearson 8 (MOM), Turton 7, Toffolo 7, Hogg 7, Russell 7, O’Brien 8, Ward 7, Thomas 7, Holmes 6.

Carlos 8

Was always going to be a tough encounter against one of the form teams in the division. Whilst UNited tried to boss the game Town gave as good as they got and should have been awarded 3 penalties but the ref bottled it each time. Russell making his first start for Town in the league did have the ball in the back of the net but the ref ruled out as he thought Ward had fouled the keeper but replays showed that Ward had been fouled and fell onto the keeper so the goal should have stood. Still not a bad result though.

Nicholls 8, Pipa 7, Pearson 7, Lees 7, Ruffels 7, Russell 8 (MOM), Hogg 8, O’Brien 7, Thomas 7, Ward 6, Koroma 5.

Carlos 7.

At a ground where we never win we dug in resolutely but evre really looked likely to win the game. We lacked self believe and the desire to really break forward and commit bodies to the attack. In the end we did well to get the point.

Nicholls 7, Lees 8 (MOM), Pearson 7, Turton 7, Thomas 7, Toffolo 6, Hogg 7, O’Brien 7, Holmes 6, Sinani5, Ward 6. Carlos 6

FA Cup fourth round action for Town. The last tim eTown got into the fifth round we lost to Manchester United who crashed out to Middlesborough and the season before it was the blue half of Manchester that knocked Town out. We managed to get the victory today to book a place against Forest who have taken the scalps of Arsenal & Leicester this season. It will be a close contest with us having won at their place despite Forest being well on top and Forest won at the John Smiths’ to spark a revival.

For the game against Barnsley we made several changes as some rotation was used. This could have been risky and could have upset the momentum that we have built up but it proved to be a good move in the end. We dominated the early exchanges and tehre was no surprise when Thomas did well to head cleverly to the unrushing Holmes, who controlled the ball at speed with his right foot and finished with the left. Town continued to dominate but did not really force many clear openings until late on. Ward on for Rhodes who started for the first time shot against the post and the rebound fell away from Thomas who would of had a tap in. Then with Barnsley pressing forward space was left at the back and Thomas fed the impressive Russell who with the just the keeper to beat put his effort past the post. Sarr did turn a cross against his own post when there was no pressure on him but that was the closest Barnsley came other than the late goal that was ruled out for a foul, although I have to admit I don’t believe there was one, however Turton also had the ball in the back of the net which was ruled out for offside although he appeared onside.

Ratings

Blackman

Making his debut he never had any real shots to save just a few long range effort fired directly at him. He did look composed and assured controlling the game from the back and his passing was solid.

Rating 7

Pearson

Had a good solid game at the back and did not panic.

Rating 7

Sarr

Had a scare in the first half which he recovered from but there was no need to try and cut the cross out which he diverted against the post as there was no pressure on Blackman who would of had a easy catch.

Rating 5

Turton (on for Pipa)

Had a good solid game and deserved his goal which was ruled out.

Rating 7

Russell

A very mature and measured performance in the middle. Kept the passing simple and to feet moving the ball quickly forward. He is a big lad and protected the ball well. Deserved the goal which he should have scored at the end.

Rating 8 MOM

O’Brien

Good solid game as ever and is looking better as the season progresses.

Rating 8

Pipa

Had to go off in the first half due to injury

Ruffels

It was good to see him get 90 minutes and did a very good job. Showed that we do have some strngth in depth.

Rating 7

Eiting

Had a good game probing and again good for him to get the game time.

Rating 7

Thomas

Constantly caused Barnsley problems and on another day would of had 3 assists for his efforts. Appears to be back on form.

Rating 8

Koroma

A little quiet but Barnsley still struggled to cope with him.

Rating 6

Rhodes

Worked well on his birthday and was kept busy with the towering Barnsley defence.

Rating 6

Derby came into the game in good form but still with a mountain to climb to ensure safety in the Championship and Town with an impressive unbeaten run. Town were very much on the front foot early on and Derby trying to play out of defence got themselves in trouble. Richard Stearman on his first return since leaving Town tried to rescue the situation but he went in with studs showing 2 footed into O’Brien. Stearman was also the last man and therefore the referee had no option but to send him off. Derby who would have kept things tight at the back then played with all outfield players behind the ball for the remainder of the game. This made it difficult for Town to get the opener. We were perhaps guilty of overplaying it in the final third but the players remained patient although the crowd were not. Allsop produced a number of saves to help keep Derby in the game but eventually we got the breakthrough. Holmes finding a bit of space on the edge of the box with 15 minutes to go shot, it took a deflection to lift over the keeper and into then net. Derby had to then come out and play it was no surprise that we went 2 up when Wards shot was turned away for Rhodes to score his first since his return.

Nicholls

Impressive again with his command of the defence. Derby never really tested him throughout.

Rating 7

Lees

Good and controlled performance.

Rating 7

Pearson

Was solid at the back throughout.

Rating 7

Turton

Had a good solid game.

Rating 7

Hogg

Was used in several positions as we tried to force the opening.

Rating 7

Toffolo

Good performance finding space on the left. He performs better in attack without Koroma occupying the same space.

Rating 7

O’Brien

My MOM he was always a thorn in the side for Derby who appeared to target him and resorted to trying to kick him off the pitch in the end.

Rating 8

Sinani

Struggled to get the breakthrough but did ok.

Rating 6

Thomas

Was bright throught and DErby struggled to manage him.

Rating 7

Ward

Looked bright but struggled with a lack of space to operate in as Derby dropped deeper all the time.

Rating 6

Holmes

Had a good first half finding space in pockets but had been disappearing from the game until he popped up to score against his previous club.

Rating 7

Carlos

Full credit to Carlos bringing Eiting on at half time as he identified that the game was there for the taking. He even took defenders off for front men as we went in search of the 3 points. Tactics were good and he ensured that we remained patient went other teams might have started hitting long balls in hope.

Rating 9

The points shared in a game which Huddersfield should have won with how we started the game. In the end a share of the points was a fair result as Stoke were well on top in the second half.

Town were camped out in the Stoke half until getting the brakethrough on 27 minutes. Koroma who had his best game of the season scoring with a slight deflection from outside the area. We were fortunate that Koroma was still on the pitch as he could have been red carded earlier. Having said that we thoroughly deserved to be ahead by that point and should have ensured that the game was put to bed in the first half but after scoring we alowed Stoke possession and hadn’t taking enough advantage of our earlier dominance. Despite being on top Stoke did have a couple of chances in teh first period which we had to be grateful to Nicholls for keeping them at bay.

The second period we camped out in our half allowing Stoke all of the time and posession and only challenging them on the edge of the area. It was no surprise that Stoke got the goal back with us on the backfoot. Pearson turned down a chance to clear and after a couple of efforts failed to find the net Brown who undid us at Stoke scored again. Having conceded the game bacame end to end and we had the chance to win the game but with panic setting in from both sides there was no surprise that it turned out even in the end.

Should Kororma have been sent off. Probably, he was second to a ball that 2 players were going at full pelt for. It looked like he tried pulling out but only succeeded in dangling his foot in and with the Stoke man coming across he connected with the udnerside of Koromas boot. Late on I felt that Allen should have been sent off for what looked like a blatant 2 footed studs up challange to halt Thomas attacking but watching it back only a yellow should have been shown, but again another challenge that the referee totally missed.

Ratings

Nicholls

Again consistently good, both with handling and shot stopping. Arguably our signing of the season.

Rating 8

Lees

Good at the back and handled Fletcher and his flying elbows well throughout.

Rating 7

Pearson

On several occasions he misplaced passes and in the end it was his failure to clear that presented the opportunity for the equaliser.

Rating 4

Turton

Was quite solid at the back. Offered little in attack but did the basics well.

Rating 6

Hogg

Had a good first half despite some wayward passing. In teh second he sat too deep and failed to dictate the tempo and brake up the Stoke momentum.

Rating 5

Toffolo

Struggled at times to be a threat going forward. We do find this when Koroma is in teh side operating in a wide left position.

Rating 6

O’Brien

Was very good in teh first half driving Town forward and operating in the Stoke half. In the second phase he dropped deep and failed to get on the ball.

Rating 7

Sinani

Linked up play well in the second half but disappeared in the second. When defending a lead Sinani does drop far too deep.

Rating 5

Thomas

Was a constant threat in both halves, but needed to be goven the licence to operate further forward in the second half.

Rating 7

Koroma

Despite the potential red card this was Koromas’ best performance this season in the first half. Again he disappeared in the second half.

Rating 7

Ward

Was very busy and looked full of confidence. The service dried up though as soon as we took the lead.

Rating 6

Carlos

Substitutions should have happened earlier in the match as the game had gone from our grasp as the start of the second half. We need to be braver once taking the lead and continue to play attacking football. We were good until taking the lead and have too often thrown away leads. If we are 2 or 3 in front then we can go defensive but not at 1-0. It will work some of the time but that definately felt like 2 points thrown away again.

Rating 6

Town started off brightly and there was no real surprise when we took the lead after 15 minutes. Some bright approach play ended with O’Briens effort being turned away by ex-Town man Hamer into the path of Sinani who could not miss. As the second half progressed Town were the better of the 2 sides and really needed to score a second and put the game to bed but Swansea held on and had a feew half chances themselves.

The second half was like a different match. Town camped in their own half and Swansea controlled the play. The Swans lacked any real cutting edge but had all the posession and if they had of been more decisive in the final third and we had not of had Nicholls in goal then they would have comfortably picked up 3 points. It was no surprise really that eventually the continued possession brought about the equalizer on 78 minutes. Town then upped their game again and Danny Ward had a great opportunity to win the game but rushed his finish, putting it wide.

In the end probably a fair result but we really let Swansea back in in the second half and offered very little in attack in the second period. We needed to be braver rather than retreating. When we won the ball which wasn’t often there were no options for us to retain possession as we were all in defense and static.

Ratings

Nicholls

Easily MOM. He kept us in the game in the second period and commanded his area well.

Rating 9

Lees

Read the play well and defended strongly.

Rating 6

Pearson

Tackled well when needed and marshalled the defence well.

Rating 7

Turton

Defended well, but a little eratic with the ball at times.

Rating 6

Hogg

Defended well and won the ball back in good areas in the first half. Disappeared a little in the second and dropped a little too deep. at times.

Rating 6

O’Brien

Did well in the first half but struggled to get into the game in the second period. Rarely got on the ball and we really needed to challenge more to gain possession.

Rating 6

Toffolo

Struggled to be an attacking presence but did ok in defence. Forced to drop deeper in the second period.

Rating 5

Thomas

Occasionally showed what he could do in attack but another one that was playing in defence too often.

Rating 6

Koroma

Showed more often in the first half but as the game wore on he disappeared. A lack of control kept giving the ball back to the opposition.

Rating 5

Sinani.

Did ok in the first half closing down and linking up the play before going off injured at half time.

Rating 7

Ward

Worked hard but failed to take his chance late on.

Rating 5

High

Came on at half time and really struggled to get with the pace. It is some time since he operated alongside Hogg and appeared to struggle with what was required at times.

Rating 5

Carlos

Today felt like 2 points dropped rather than 1 gained. Having taken the lead we gave Swansea too much time and space. If we had of got into them I feel that we would have upset their rhythm. They were too comfortable on the ball and we failed to force them into any mistakes it became a easy second half for Swansea defensively. It may have needed some bookings but we fell short of being physical in this game. The other aspect missing in the second half was the ability to retain possession in their half. We lacked composure and we lacked the bravery to keep a man or 2 up the pitch as an option for us winning the ball. Tactically we could have been better in this period and we should have made the substitutions earlier as well.

Rating 5