[LU] LU: Huddersfield

[Phill Shields]

Not seen a report on last night yet, my mate's son plays for Huddersfield's academy side so I was treated to a decent seat amongst Kirklees' pond life. 
 
Over 90 minutes we cannot have any complaints about this defeat, although we coasted the game until Duggie got sent off our chances in the 1st half were limited to 2 free kicks in dangerous areas which both Johnson & Kilkenny wasted. Duggie got marched for 2 bookables, his 1st was warranted but I thought 2nd a tad harsh. They hit us on the break and he tangled legs one of their lads who would have got round the back of us but was not clean through. From that point Huddersfield seemed to pick up and believe they could beat us and even tho ref evened it up by sending off one of their lot for a late challenge on Casper (2nd bookable) in truth we were always on the back foot then.
 
The old saying you don't know what you have until you miss it rings true with us and Beckford. We had no pace to worry them at the back and they were able to push right up to the half way line and press us whenever in possession. Kandol won everything 1st half but they roughed him up 2nd half and he nearly ended up playing in front of our back 4. Booth by comparison gave Huntington and Michalik a torrid time and every ball that hit him stuck and was really why we had so much pressure to endure. They had at least 2 good penalty shouts, hit the bar and fluffed a good one on one.
 
We were hanging on for a draw when along came their goal. Richardson played right in front of me all 2nd half and I have to say its the best I have seen him play for ages. He still cost us the goal though. Kilkenny was outnumbered on our right, furiously shouting Frazer to help him. He arrived too late by which time their bloke picked out a superb cross which was headed in (unchallenged) by some little c*nt. Casper had no chance.
 
The only bright spot was the late introduction of Carole who had a real go at their full back and in injury time created our best chance. Beat his man, squared it, and I think it was Freedman who steered in bottom right corner only for their goalie to pull off a great save. Johnson did get through early in 2nd half, Kandol on oceans of space at back stick and Johnson managed to put the ball way over Kandol's head for a throw in. Strange because he didnt manage to get one of his corner past the defender at the front post.
 
My mate reckons this is best he has seen Huddersfield play all season - they were much more up for it than at our place and they are managerless. These hillbillies really hate us. Leeds fans were on form. They only had 4 songs and 3 were about us (Billy Bremner is a Blue, We all hate Leeds scum and who the f&cking hell are Leeds). Classics I accept. 
 
Scores on the doors:
 
Casper - 7 had little to do and his kicking was improved.
Kenton - 7 had a steady game
Richardson 6 he actually played well but I have marked him down cos of the goal.
Huntington - 4 he was all over the shop
Michalik - 6 some good challenges but should have helped out with Booth
Howson - 8 coming on leaps and bounds, lots of energy and linked well with Kilkenny
Kilkenny - 6 steady game but did not hurt them with his passing
Johnson - 4 I am giving up on this kid. He is not a winger, her certainly can't cross a ball and lightweight in tackles
Douglas 5 - he only played half the game! Bit unlucky to walk.
Freedman 6 worked hard but didnt really hit it of with Kandol.
Kandol - 5 won everything in air first half but disappeared 2nd half. passenger.
 
Subs:-
 
Prutton - 6 gave usual energy but didnt really change things.
Hughes - 5 moved into middle, stuck his foot in. 
Carole - 7 two really good runs and got them on the back foot.
 
Manager:-
 
He seemed to settle for the draw which is fatal. When 10 v 10 we shoukld have pushed on and in hindsight if he had put carole on sooner I think we should have beat this lot. Give him a 5.
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