The Huddersfield Town manager has a two-week window during the international break to work with the majority of his team on the training ground, and this presents an opportunity for players to impress him.
Darren Moore, the newly appointed Terriers boss, has overseen four games to assess his squad, but with three draws and a defeat, he may have more questions than answers about his team.
Certain players, such as Lee Nicholls, Michal Helik, Matty Pearson, and Jack Rudoni, have consistently featured in Moore’s starting lineup. However, some positions and backup roles remain uncertain, and a few players have a lot to prove during this international break.
Let’s take a closer look at a few of these players and why they need to make a strong impression:
1. Tom Lees: The center-back, who missed the start of the season, is determined to earn playing time. There’s still uncertainty
about his role compared to Matty Pearson, and Moore might have to make a decision, especially with the emergence of Josh Ruffels as the preferred left-sided player in a back three.
2. Jaheim Headley: He started Moore’s first game in charge but has seen limited action since. Yuta Nakayama appears to be
the favored left wing-back, but Headley’s direct style could still be valuable if used correctly.
3. Ben Wiles: Wiles went off at halftime against Birmingham and didn’t start against Sheffield Wednesday, possibly due to
tactics and freshness. He must prove his worth in the final third to secure his position as the number 10.
4. David Kasumu: Injured in Neil Warnock’s final game, Kasumu faces stiff competition in his preferred role but could serve as a natural replacement for Jonathan Hogg if needed. He also showed versatility as a wing-back under Warnock.
5. Rarmani Edmonds-Green: Despite initially rising in prominence, he has been overlooked for a starting role even in Hogg’s absence. Edmonds-Green needs to demonstrate that he can complete a full 90 minutes and maintain his performance level.
6. Brahima Diarra: A player who started every game early in the season but hasn’t featured since the arrival of Wiles. Moore might aim to harness Diarra’s maverick talent and improve his consistency in delivering the final ball.
7. Kyle Hudlin: Although he has seen more minutes under Moore than under Warnock, Hudlin has yet to start. He remains an impact sub for now but aims to continue getting opportunities. Statistically, he has an impressive minutes per goal strike rate in the squad.
Overall, the international break is a crucial period for these players to make their cases and secure their positions in the team.
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