Outfoxing the Foxes

It seems that all the values conspicuously missing for at least two years have begun to flood back into this Huddersfield Town incarnation as they entertainingly overcame a strong Leicester side in the League Cup.

The two league games have delivered togetherness, some flair, a clearly likeable squad, a clear tactical plan, and, importantly, hope. To that list, you can add entertainment, resilience, and credible depth, following a hard-fought tie resolved with a penalty shoot-out.

With nine changes to the side that beat Reading at the weekend — including two young prospects making their full debuts and an entirely different defence — the annual capitulation to cup opponents seemed more likely than not. But the new Grant era has already seen surprising team changes, and it is clear, from his words and deeds, that he will preside over a very interchangeable squad.

Defensively, his options are looking very good indeed. Feeney and Wallace comfortably slotted into roles already filled with distinction by Low and Watmough, with the returning Wallace particularly impressive throughout.

The two full-backs, Gooch and Roughan, are arguably a stronger pair than those on display at the weekend, notwithstanding Gooch’s torrid examination by 16-year-old Monga in the first 25 minutes.

It was a regular, however, who caught the eye most in a mostly dull first half, as Roosken provided most of Town’s threat in a much more confident performance on the left, and was the subject of a baffling decision by a ridiculously poor referee when clearly fouled as he cut back from the byline.

To compound matters, the referee later gave a penalty for a carbon copy of the early incident, while also turning down two other, less clear-cut penalty shouts.

Despite the first-half fare being less than inspiring, there was some very good pressing by Town, which created the odd opportunity. Dion Charles worked very hard and, in one instance, dispossessed a City defender but lacked the confidence to shoot, instead choosing to set Ashia on a path of quickly diminishing returns.

A hurried clearance from the same incident fell to Roosken, who fired over with a decent effort — the closest either side came to a shot on target in the first 45 minutes.

With Gooch, assisted by Ashia, finally controlling the dangerous Monga — who was rightly booked for simulation after falling over following the slightest contact — the East Midlanders were rather blunted until a flurry of late corners caused mild consternation among the home defence and support, but no massive threat.

A half that had begun promisingly for the hosts trudged towards the break, but that early denial of a penalty left Town the more aggrieved of the two sides.

The second half was to prove the diametric opposite, as both sides upped their game to create a genuinely excellent and hugely entertaining cup tie.

First blood went to the visitors, as a hurried clearance — following good defensive work in the box — fell to Choudhury, who hit a fabulous and unstoppable strike past Nicholls. It was due reward for the Foxes’ domination of the opening stages of the half and, in the past, would usually have predicted heads dropping at best and capitulation at worst.

To their credit, Town were far from fazed by the setback and didn’t take long to get back into the game. One of a selection of excellent long balls forward by Roughan found Roosken, who took the ball smoothly, advanced into the area, and — as he had done in the opening minutes — turned back and tempted Leicester’s scorer, Choudhury, into a challenge that brought him down. All eyes were on the referee to see if he could embarrass himself again.

After years of no penalty being awarded at home, and even longer since one was scored, Town have now gained two in consecutive home games. The clock on successfully converting a home penalty, which was reset on opening day, continues, however, as a potentially confidence-boosting opportunity for Dion Charles was spurned. His spot-kick was well saved by Stolarczyk, only for debutant Vost to react first to the looped ball and head in the equaliser.

A great moment for another youngster making his way in the game — but Charles continues to disappoint despite his evident work rate. Not only was his penalty saved, he failed to shoot in the first half when it was undoubtedly the best option, and in the second half, a lovely Town move fell to his feet and cried out for a first-time shot. He took a touch, and the opportunity disappeared in a flash. He may well be Lee Grant’s biggest challenge at present.

The list of positives from this game is much longer than the concerns, not least the number of youngsters who acquitted themselves very well — adding the later substitute Sway to Vost and Ashia.

Defensively, too, the Terriers came away with a lot of credit against a pacy and dangerous Leicester side, but they may not want to dwell too much on the visitors’ second goal, when a player of the quality of Winks — who will surely be heading back to the Premier League — was allowed far too much room to plant an excellent side-footed effort past Nicholls, who might have done a little better himself.

The restoration of City’s lead so soon after the equaliser would, without a shred of doubt, have sunk last season’s thankfully, mostly, departed squad. The fact that Town rallied after another second-half setback notches the confidence in them just a little higher, building on the promising start to the league campaign.

With a great interception on the halfway line, the impressive Wallace set Town on the path to goal on the three-quarter mark, playing the ball out to Cameron Ashia. Saturday’s late hero advanced with minimal Leicester interruption, looked up, and curled a magnificent equaliser that surpassed even Choudhury’s effort for skill and execution.

The contrast between Cameron’s brimming confidence and the desperation of poor Dion is stark. Ashia has grabbed his opportunities with relish and joy and looks set to play a big part in the season ahead, if utilised sensibly.

The final stages of the game were mainly dictated by the visitors — nobody wants to take on Huddersfield Town in a penalty shoot-out, after all — and Nicholls had to back up some resolute defending with a good late save to guarantee the spectacle of a penalty competition.

Rarely beaten in such competitions (the last time was in 2011, itself a rare event), the only relevant omen was the fact that Leicester’s keeper had already saved a spot-kick, and there was no possibility of a redeeming follow-up this time.

Nicholls, hailed as England’s number one when he isn’t even Town’s number one, stepped up to save the first effort, only for Taylor to see his shot well saved.

May, Castledine, and Sorensen scored their kicks, while a very powerful El Khannouss effort crashed off the post to put Town back in the lead. Nicholls then saved Leicester’s final, poor effort, and an enjoyable evening was capped off with progression in the cup and an attractive away tie at Sunderland as the reward.

There was a lot to like about Town on a warm summer evening, with a continuation of the early-season positives: exciting young players introduced, strength in depth (particularly at the back), positive football with good pressing as a feature, new players still to come in (Castledine looked an interesting player on first sight), and the development of a squad with character.

On to the seaside.