And He Takes That Chance Season 'Awards'
Matt Shaw, Founder, Pod Host.
Twitter: @TTCMATT
Source for image above: Examiner and I know it’s from last season but it feels even more poignant this.
The greatest use of the stadium this past season has been as a COVID vaccine centre, where different kinds of heroes and legends have served the community quite wonderfully during a difficult year. On the pitch Town’s season has ended with the quiet whimper you may associate with those anticipating the numbness in their arm in the waiting queues of the corridors we’ve not seen for over 14 months. Town fans, beleaguered and exhausted from 3 years of fighting tedious relegation battles needed a different kind of shot in the arm and for a few months it looked as though they may get it. However, bad luck and injuries led to regression on the field and Town finished in their lowest position in the football league ladder since being promoted to The Championship in 2012.
In and amongst another season shorn of contentment there have been genuine flashes of excitement and sparks of recovery to a place of betterment, or so I’m going to tell you because I want you to vote in our end of season awards poll below! If you’d rather just vote and not read the rest of this article or watch the goals video I took hours to make then fine, I understand… You can do so below (or scroll to the bottom of this article), I won’t hold it against you. Eventually. Maybe.
VOTE: https://forms.gle/PdtctK5v8Cmdtc6w5
Ok, you’re still here? Good! This means we can still be friends.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON
“None of them, abandon it this year” one chap brazenly writes in our Whatsapp group. Given the frustrating anti-Climax since Naby Sarr sent us into delerium with his last minute winner on December 29th you can sort of understand it. Town sat in the top half of The Championship 5 points from the Play Offs, Carlos had signed a new deal and it was full steam ahead. Full steam ahead indeed and come the end of the season that 5 point gap was stretched to 28 points over the remaining 24 games. So the number of players deserving of accolades may be a touch less than years gone by. As it is, let's have a look at some of the runners and riders!
Juninho Bacuna
One of the most frustrating players I’ve ever seen wear the blue and white stripes. As Neil used to say ‘he can go from Barcelona to Bradford in 2 touches’. Or words to that effect. One can only imagine the amount of spit and ire thrown at TV and Laptops from apoplectic Town fans leading to mini flash floods in living rooms the length and breadth of the land. Yet he has been central to the majority of good moves and goals we’ve seen this season so here he is shortlisted.
Fraizer Campbell
Folklore has often dismissed the method of shapeshifting as mythology. But I will always contest that having witnessed a certain Richard Kosmala shapeshift into Mick Morgan on several occasions this season. Despite a low goals output which frustrates that follically challenged friend of mine, Campbell who wasn’t expected to be the first choice striker has worked as hard as any player in the squad. Indeed, his aggressive pressing and leadership from the front has endeared him to more Town fans this season than last when he was used in a role as a pest by Danny Cowley.
Jonathan Hogg nominated by myself, Phil Senior, Steven Chicken, David Hartrick, Graeme Rayner, Josh Phillips and Brady Frost.
Here we go! Hoggy is the man who gets my vote. As I mentioned on Episode 106 of the podcast Hoggy is Town’s 6 Million Dollar Man (and worth far more to us over the years). A player who constantly adapts and reinvents himself to every manager Town appoint to become a lynchpin at the base of midfield. In a season where consistency has been a big issue for the side, Hoggy has been the most solid player in the defensive and middle thirds. On the episode Josh Phillips highlights that Hogg’s importance is magnified when you look at the fact that in the 9 league games Hoggy hasn’t played this season Town have failed to win one, losing 6 of them. The OO TO BE A duo of ‘The Chick n Trick’ aka Steven Chicken and David Hartrick point out that “Hoggy has had the best spell for the longest period” and their vote also goes for the man who has played 282 times for our wonderful club.
Josh Koroma nominated by Simon, Dan Porritt, Kosi and Oli Fisher.
We saw hints in pre season that Josh Koroma could be set for a big year but few expected the impact he would have pre Christmas. There was even one Town fan daft enough to start The Josh Koroma Fan Club and bought a ‘conch’ to blow for the fan club to assemble after a good game.… Ahem. Unfortunately misfortune would hit Koroma and an injury would render the conch un-blowable for 4 months. Koroma was incredible upon his return and showed no sign of any fitness issues as he scored 2 goals in the final 3 games of the season to take the top scorer award despite only playing 20 league games. Quite the achievement considering he has missed over 50% of the season through injury.
Lewis O’Brien
Ex Warm-up podcaster Chris Markham’s favourite. Last year’s player of the season hasn’t quite reached the heights of the previous season but this could be explained by being moved around the pitch to cover for injury. This season Lewis has played left back, left wing back, No6, No8, No10 and wide left and right (momentarily), hooker, wide receiver and flanker. Ok maybe not the last 3 but O’Brien’s flexibility has seen him become a favourite of Carlos Corberan’s but perhaps this might be to the detriment of him winning this award as his excellent momentum built as a box to box no8 has been checked by his chameleon qualities.
Harry Toffolo
Oh Help! Oh No, It’s a Toffolo! Up until Christmas Harry Toffolo had mice like opposition on a slice of bread as he was statistically the 2nd highest rated left back in the division after Omar Richards (according to whoscored.com). His ability to ghost on the blindside and deliver accurate crosses was the best in the division and a very potent weapon as defenders clung limpet like to the threat of Josh Koroma. Toffolo like others would also find fitness an issue. Toffolo started to struggle a touch for fitness and after he received a harsh red card at Luton he was found to have a debilitating back issue which saw the end of his good form for the season. It is to his credit that he came back early and played through the pain barrier to see Town over the line.
GOAL OF THE SEASON
Why write about it when a video paints a thousand words… Or something like that.
The Phil Senior Mick Wadsworth Tribute Award (Breakout player of the season)
Whisper it quietly but former Town keeper and now Takes That Chance Podder Phil Senior rates Mick Wadsworth as the best coach he played under (along with Jacko). Phil was a breakout player for Huddersfield Town back in 2003 under the man who was so infamous among supporters that they dedicated a website to him - although you may need to use wayback machine to find it. Fortunately we require no such thing to look at this season’s contenders!
Rarmani Edmonds-Green
The man from Peckham made 2 Town appearances last season but has found game time ‘Luvvely jubbly’ this season after making 24 appearances including 14 starts. REG has shown his flexibility by operating at right back, right wingback and centre back in different systems and he should hopefully use the experience to push on further next season.
Scott High nominated by Dan Porritt.
Town might not need to sign a new midfielder, cos of Scott High. We may have found a new creator cos of Scott High. We might sell a midfielder and I know whyyyyyyy. Cos of Scott High, cos of Scott High, cos of Scott Hiiiiigh. Ok, seriously High showed in patches throughout his 14 appearances this term as to why Carlos showed such faith in him. That faith was rewarded with a very good individual performance against Reading in the final game.
Josh Koroma nominated by myself, Kosi, Simon, Phil, Steven Chicken, Graeme Rayner, Oli Fisher and Brady Frost.
* Blows Conch *. No one saw Koroma contributing a goal or assist every other game after last season’s loan to then League 1 Rotherham only brought 86 minutes of play in 6 months. The remarkable return has virtually everyone associated with And He Takes That Chance voting him as their breakout player of the season.
Aaron Rowe nominated by David Hartrick and Josh Phillips.
Rowe and Town’s fortunes have almost been polar opposites. Before Christmas, Rowe struggled with his handful of introductions to the first XI and he looked a little way off being ready after his performance against Bournemouth at right back in December. However, a goal can do wonders for a player and after scoring a goal of the season contender in The FA Cup against Plymouth on the 9th of January, Rowe went from strength to strength and impressed so much as a 2nd half substitute at Middlesbrough that he was then given a run of 9 games where he was involved and performed well. The future now looks very bright for the fleet footed wide man and more experienced players will be worried that Rowe pushes on again over the summer and cements a starting berth next season.
Ryan Schofield
It’s easy to forget that the club were so impressed with Ryan Schofield’s form in January that they were happy to sanction experienced keeper Ben Hamer’s move to Swansea and promoted Schofield to number 1. The home game against Watford in December was one of the finest individual displays of the season with Schofield making 5 big saves to deny Watford who’s xG that day was over 3. Unfortunately immediately after Hamer’s move, Schofield’s form dipped with pressure under the high ball in particular his Achilles heel. His form was a bit up and down until the end of the season but he can look back on 30 games for his boyhood club and use this as a good springboard going forward.
Honourable mentions to Romoney Crichlow & Kieran Phillips.
PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON
Good performances in the second half of the season were somewhat miserly but Town have given sporadic moments of joy. When Carlos and co got it right, Town could be a very entertaining unit to watch and with And He Takes That Chance podcasters and pals giving several different options it shows that perhaps the signs could be quite good if we can surround the management with the right players who want to play this way going forward. Well here’s hoping…
Millwall 0-3 Huddersfield Town nominated by myself and Brady Frost.
Had 3rd placed Millwall won this game they would have broken into the top 2 but a busy start by the hosts was easily repelled by a Huddersfield Town side who controlled their opponent for almost the full 90 minutes and scored three goals having built from the back to offer a glimpse of what was to come through November and December.
Huddersfield 3-2 Middlesbrough nominated by Graeme Rayner with a special mention from Richard Kosmala.
Town have been often accused of having a soft underbelly leading to the 2nd highest amount of points lost from winning positions this past season. Town suffered the setback of going 1 down against Neil Warnock’s in form side but turned it around to lead 2-1. Boro then scored with a disputed penalty late on. As Graeme Rayner says on Episode 106 of the podcast “When they equalised we thought we’d lost another lead, but to get a late winner the way we did showed grit and character”.
Huddersfield Town 2-0 Watford nominated by Steven Chicken
“This was such a big result” chimed Steven Chicken on our latest episode. Town perhaps caught Watford at the right moment but Town looked fluid and forced Watford into errors which they then punished before a fine individual display from Ryan Schofield repelled the side that would go on to finish 2nd in the league.
Huddersfield Town 4-1 Swansea nominated by Kosi, Simon, Phil and Oli.
Town were at their most fluid in attack from October to December so this game against Swansea was a real outlier in February. A Duane Holmes inspired 15 minute spell capped a fantastic tactical display from The Terriers where Corberan out thought the highly regarded Steve Cooper for the 2nd time this season. As Oli Fisher said on Episode 106 “Everything clicked and we completely overran them in midfield and could have scored 6 or 7”.
QPR 0-1 Huddersfield Town nominated by David Hartrick
“An almost perfect away performance” cited David Hartrick (check out Dave’s fantastic book about Bobby Robson’s time in charge of England here). Town’s performance at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium was as good as it was underrated. QPR were in fine form and had turned themselves from relegation candidates at the end of January to be firmly ensconced in the chasing playoff pack by the end of the campaign. After Town took all 3 points QPR would win 7 of their final 11 games of the season and be 4th in the league’s form guide during that time.
MOMENT OF THE SEASON
Every season has those moments which make you sigh in happiness as you replay it through your head several times. Maybe it’s a goal, a tackle, a comedic piece of genius or involves David Wagner charging down the touchline to celebrate with a group of players. Often those moments become more cherished the more infrequent they arrive. This season 6 moments have made the short list for nomination. They are:
Kosi singing Feliz Naby Sarr on Episode 88 nominated by Dan Porritt.
It’s not so much the wonderful tone of the songbird of our generation but this moment signified to Pozza that “there was a feeling of togetherness again that we’ve not seen for a while”.
Naby Sarr’s last minute winner v Blackburn nominated by Steven Chicken and Josh Phillips.
Having lost to a debateable last minute goal at Barnsley a few days earlier it was somewhat poetic that the man who had been a little wanting on that occasion tipped up to be the hero. The celebratory scenes at the corner flag were great to see and for that moment it felt like we were on to something.
CARLOS MANIA as nominated by myself.
Watching swathes of Town fans try and locate a pair of New Balance and white (or are they cream) chinos in the January sales to celebrate Carlos Corberan and the management team’s new contract was another sign that things looked to be on the up after 3 depressing seasons. This was the height of Carlos’s popularity and I hope that he can get back to something like this - for all our sakes.
Hoggy slotting Harry Arter as nominated by Richard Kosmala.
“I know it wasn’t football but it was beautiful” chirped Kosi on our latest episode. Hell hath no fury like Hoggy scorned. A revenge move by Jonathan Hogg for Harry Arter’s antics in getting him sent off back in August 2018 when Arter was at Cardiff. In truth Hoggy did man handle him a touch but the midfield destroyer was irked at the red card received for a perceived slam on his opponent. When Forest visited back in September Hoggy got a little retribution with a studs up ‘tackle’ sending Arter crashing to the floor once again. Hoggy though this time escaped the red.
The Swansea whirlwind nominated by David Hartrick and Brady Frost.
“not again” was the collective grumble amongst Town fans as Conor Hourihane’s free kick meant that Town had squandered yet another lead just before half time. But instead of going on to lose the game like they had on 8 previous occasions, Town came out of the blocks and blew Swansea away with a 3 goal spell in 10 glorious 2nd half minutes including a blockbuster from Duane Holmes.
Bacuna’s Hammer nominated by Oli Fisher
“This was probably the goal that kept us up” mused Oli. In hindsight he may be right. Town’s performance came out of the blue and was bookended by a goal of the season contender by Juninho Bacuna.
LOW POINT OF THE SEASON
So many, I hear you say? Well yes, but the Man City game in the above picture feels relevant. Infamous in more ways than one. Town’s ultimate embarrassment and yet 34 years later there were genuine fears that this could be eclipsed. Here are 7 lowlights that made our toes curl and tongues shake with anger post event.
Schindler’s injury and being unable to say farewell to a legend nominated by Myself and Graeme Rayner.
A wonderful footballer for this club and undoubtedly a modern legend. The poster boy of the Wagner era made us well up in a different way as he suffered a serious knee injury in that ‘bastard of a month’ December. It’s with sadness that Schindler won’t get the final farewell his Town career deserves after 5 years of great service and heroics.
Injuries to Koroma, Eiting and others.
Whether this was down to training methods, bad luck or other factors is down to fan speculation but there is no doubt that the bad luck that Town experienced during December and beyond completely derailed what was a promising season of progress. Town had to cope with lengthy layoffs to Schindler, Koroma, Eiting, Toffolo, Pipa, Ward, Stearman, Mbenza and others to rack up an injury list like no other in the division. For several months Town were close to having 10+ players out injured each game (or at least it felt that way).
The home defeat to Wycombe nominated by Oli Fisher.
“They were comfortably the worst Championship side when they came to us” frothed Oli Fisher. Town took a 2-0 lead against the club rock bottom in the division but conspired to throw away the lead with an abject 2nd half performance that saw Wycombe deservedly take a 3-2 win and announce Town into the relegation fight.
The defeat at Preston nominated by David Hartrick and Josh Phillips.
“For me there’s been a 7-0, 5-2, a 5-0 and the Wycombe game but at Preston they were defeated before they kicked a ball” was the comment from a somewhat scathing David Hartrick. David, a Brighton fan classes himself as not a Town fan but as “an invested neutral” and you could hear the trace of frustration in his voice as he recalled that day.
The 7-0 defeat at Norwich nominated by Dan Porritt and Kosi.
“With the score 5-0 at half time, I would have happily taken 7 with the way that it was going” quipped Kosi. Town were apoplectically bad as Norwich cut through time after time and could if they had pushed in the 2nd half attempted to top Town’s heaviest all time defeat. “7-0 is not a good look on national TV” scorns Dan Porritt as the scars from that defeat still show.
The 0-0 draw at home to Rotherham nominated by Brady Frost.
“This felt like a must win game for Town but we were absolutely terrible and should have been stuffed by Rotherham” says Brady Frost. Rotherham’s ability to miss open goals cost them this game and their place in the division. From the first minute only 1 side were going to win this game and should have by 4 or 5. Town escaping with great fortune. Despite the luck of a point, the manner of the performance worried many Town fans including Brady who were unhappy that a side haunted with the threat of relegation could turn in such an underwhelming display.
The defeat at Blackburn nominated by Steven Chicken
The Examiner headline read “The Terriers fell to their latest heavy defeat of the season after a dreadful performance away to an out-of-form Blackburn Rovers side with nothing left to play for”. Steven often writes with good will and humour but there was no hiding from the Chicken wroth after this defeat. A Blackburn side with one foot on the beach destroyed a hapless Town still seeking points to keep their heads above water. This game went a long way to damaging the reputations of some players not only among fans but in the press room where Steven mentioned the disbelief amongst his fellow peers after that performance on his subsequent episode of OO TO BE A.
SIGNING OF THE SEASON
Town made 14 signings this past season, so to only shortlist 3 for this ‘award’ indicates that for the third season running it’s probably not been a largely successful one for Town’s under-fire recruitment team. However, success was most certainly made with these 3 signings and hopes for the future are high on project signings made in January considering the success of Summer 2019’s project Josh Koroma.
Carel Eiting nominated by Phil Senior and Josh Phillips.
Oh Carel, I am but a fool, Town fans they love you, though injuries treat you cruel. Oh oh oh… When Eiting signed it finally looked like Town had replaced the mercurial Aaron Mooy. A player capable of dictating play, creating and getting on the score sheet. “We needed that creativity, he took the pressure off and got better” claimed Phil Senior. This is something I’d agree with, Eiting looked like he’d got up to speed with the physical nature of The Championship and just as injury hit he looked like he could be the perfect man for Town’s engine room for this and next few seasons should we be fortunate to sign him longer term. Sadly we were to be denied seeing Eiting flourish as a reoccurring knee injury kept him out for several months.
Pipa nominated by myself, Steven Chicken, David Hartrick, Graeme Rayner and Brady Frost.
A left field signing from Espanyol, Pipa was a sensation at right back in the first half of the season. Tiredness and injury may have effected his performances over the latter part of the season but this still didn’t stop Steven Chicken from praising the Spanish u21 international. “It’s hard to look past Pipa, he instantly solved Town’s weakest position from last season, he’s a great buy” proclaimed the Examiner journalist when prompted for a nominee.
Alex Vallejo nominated by Oli Fisher
“A free agent who no one expected anything from. He is really versatile and looks a cut above anything else we have in the 6 and 8 role” explained Oli Fisher. Indeed a few eyebrows were raised when Vallejo joined from Fuenlabrada and was a player that our resident Spanish football expert Richard Kosmala had not heard of. After a slow start spent getting up to speed with fitness Vallejo proved his worth with a series of clever performances in midfield and defence, often taking up clever positions under the radar to receive and recycle the ball.
So there we go! If you’ve sat and read every word then I thank you for indulging me! If not, then that’s ok - providing you vote! Please vote below and we’ll announce our winners on the End of Season show on the 19th of May.
