Izzy Brown’s goal four minutes before the break has given Huddersfield a 1-0 lead over the Blues at the John Smith’s Stadium at half-time.

Jordan Spence was handed his Town debut, while Andre Dozzell, Kevin Bru and Freddie Sears all returned to the Blues line-up having been left out of the starting XI at Lincoln on Tuesday. Dean Gerken kept his place in goal with Bartosz Bialkowski unwell.

The Blues continued with their 3-5-2 system with skipper Luke Chambers in the centre at the back between Paul Digby on the right and Christophe Berra on the left.

New boy Spence was the right wing-back with Josh Emmanuel dropping to the bench. Jonas Knudsen continued on the left.

In midfield, Dozzell and Bru joined Cole Skuse with Jonathan Douglas and Grant Ward among the subs. Tom Lawrence started up front with Sears, who replaced Leon Best, who was left out of the 18.

Town’s other new signing Kieffer Moore was on the bench, alongside Tristan Nydam, who TWTD revealed was set to travel with the squad on Friday.

The 17-year-old midfielder was with the first-team squad for the first time for a competitive match, although having come on as a sub in the pre-season match at Cambridge, and was handed squad number 45. Michael Crowe was the sub keeper.

Huddersfield were without key midfielder Aaron Mooy, due to a back injury, while new German striker Collin Quaner's clearance didn’t come through in time for him to be involved.

The Blues, wearing their Barcelona-style third kit, started brightly and Lawrence curled a third minute freekick into the arms of Terriers keeper Danny Ward after he’d been fouled by Jonathan Hogg a couple of yards outside the area to the left.

The home side made a scruffy start but on 11 Elias Kachunga hit a low shot from the edge of the box which Gerken saved comfortably.

Huddersfield began to get their passing going and in the 15th minute Terriers skipper Tommy Smith crossed from the right and Gerken pushed Kachunga’s far post header onto the roof of the net.

On 21 Berra blocked a van La Parra strike after the Dutchman had cut in from the left, referee Andy Davies waving away ambitious appeals for a penalty. Soon after Kachunga headed Brown’s right-wing cross over from close range but with the linesman’s flag raised.

Huddersfield had been on top but up to then without being able to create many serious chances, but on the half hour Spence won the ball on the right and found Sears on the other flank with a raking pass. The former West Ham man brought the ball in on goal before hitting a shot which flew over Ward’s bar.

But the Terriers were still having most of the ball and on 34 van La Parra sent over a deep cross from the left but Kachunga’s header was too close to Gerken, who claimed.

On 37 Bru stole possession on the left and crossed to Lawrence, whose shot struck a Huddersfield player and deflected to Ward. The on-loan Leicester man appealed for a penalty but again referee Davies wasn’t interested.

A minute later, Huddersfield failed to deal with a Sears cross from the right and debutant Spence sent over a subsequent low ball from the same flank which flew across the six-yard box but with no Town player there to add the final touch.

Four minutes before the break Huddersfield went in front. Brown took a ball in to feet midway inside the Town half, turning a defender as he did so. The on-loan Chelsea man then brought the ball forward unchallenged before planting a 20-yard strike past Gerken.

The home side deserved their lead at half-time having been the better side having taken charge after a sluggish start, although without ever dominating in the manner that they have on occasion this season.

Prior to the goal, there hadn’t been too many clear-cut chances but Brown, who was on loan with Rotherham until earlier in the month, grabbed his first Huddersfield goal with great confidence.

The Blues had had a couple of opportunities, mainly on the break, but nothing clear-cut and an improvement is required in the second half if they are to avoid an already thoroughly disappointing week ending with a defeat.

Huddersfield: Ward, Smith (c), Hefele, Schindler, Löwe , Hogg, Billing, Kachunga, Van La Parra, Brown, Wells. Coleman, Whiteheas, Hudson, Bunn, Cranie, Lolley, Stankovic.

Town: Gerken, Spence, Digby, Chambers (c), Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Bru, Dozzell, Lawrence, Sears. Subs: Crowe, Emmanuel, Douglas, Nydam, Ward, Moore, Pitman. Referee: Andy Davies (Hampshire).

Photo: Action Images

JimmyP45 added 16:07 - Jan 21 This is going from bad to worse. 1-0 down and now we are down to 10 men!!! (Douglas on the pitch)
10

Skip73 added 16:12 - Jan 21 We're one down so McCarthy brings 'Dougie' on. Give me strength!!!! GET OUT OF OUR CLUB YOU DINOSAUR!
12

bedsitfc added 16:18 - Jan 21 Yippee We go 1-0 down so mick decides to play a bit more defensive
6

brittaniaman added 16:19 - Jan 21 Can anybody understand Dino ???? he just put his Favourite Mate Douglas on for the second half and we are 1-0 down, perhaps he is guarding our 0 ? OH Blast Huddersfield have just scored again, well done Dino Your mate did not stop that ??
6

heathen66 added 16:20 - Jan 21 Hands up who was surprised that 1-0 down and Mick turns to Douglas....nope no one ??? As I stated previously it is all down to seniority and Like Emmanuel being dropped, Dozzell is the next in line.
7

marco007 added 16:21 - Jan 21 Douglas for Dozzell and we are 2-0 down ......yippee :) How on earth does Knudsen keep on getting picked???????? If any fall back deserved to be retained from Tuesdays shambles it was Emmanuel I give up !!
9

brittaniaman added 16:23 - Jan 21 EVANS is watching this game, just in front of the Press box, hope he has got his thinking cap on !!!!
3

poldark added 16:25 - Jan 21 All you Super Mick lovers how about this then tactics awful he has no idea what formation to play give youth a chance you idiot
6

RaymondovicBlue added 16:27 - Jan 21 I said before the Blackburn game that that we had to win that AND v Lincoln, or I'd join the "Mick out" brigade. I've been patient... But today's performance and RIDICULOUS substitution have broken my resolve Sorry Terry, but I've got to say it even if it costs you your job.... MICK OUT
7

SibleTractorBoi added 16:28 - Jan 21 Nothing good can come of this put the youngsters on!
4

runningout added 16:30 - Jan 21 Mick McCarthy fan here, been crumbling for a while though.. Player not showing their true talent doesn't help
-1

midastouch added 16:38 - Jan 21 We can't get 2 wins on the bounce, not with this fool running the club! Every time we get within touching distance of Naaaridge we blow it and is it any wonder with this dinosaur pulling the strings. Even the most diehard Mick supporters must be close to breaking point now. Putting on Douglas for the 2nd half was tantamount to waving the white flag before the 2nd half had even started! Get out of our club you monolithic moron!

6

Seasider added 16:39 - Jan 21 I am not surprised your admiration is crumbling running out.The writing is on the wall I fear,and if he does not go then Div 1 could beckon
4

Bert added 16:41 - Jan 21 Not much balance on here from the predictable selection ( not that he has much choice ) to the predictable personalised comments about a player.
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Swn98 added 16:42 - Jan 21 You all seem to be so much more suited to the position of itfc manager because of your undoubted knowledge and football insights why don't you apply for the position.
-7

Daleyitfc added 16:42 - Jan 21 Odd : McCarthy brought on the evergreen Jonathan Douglas (last seen dragging his wobbly bottom round Sincil Bank) to turn the game around, with us 1-0 down, and it doesn't seem to have worked ... bizarrely it also didn't work the previous 50 times he tried it, so maybe it might be time to try something else ...
4

Global_Blue added 16:45 - Jan 21 Why bring on Douglas and revert to a defensive centre midfield pairing? It's not going to win games, that's been proven all season. I get he wants to revert to his tried and can't ever be changed 4-4-2 but why leave Ward on the bench and bring on Douglas??? Switch Moore for Spence, Ward for Dozzel (if he must take him off) and Pitman for Bru. Then bring Lawrence into the middle alongside Skuse with Ward and Sears on the flanks. Pitman and Moore up front? We retain some creativity in the middle of the park, get height and someone who knows how to score (Pitman) up front and have some speed and ability on the wings. It's not that hard! I get I'm nothing but an armchair manager, but even so MM has reverted to a set up that has failed all season, i.e.: Skuse and Douglas doesn't work! Why not change the formula?

1

poldark added 16:47 - Jan 21 well done Super Mick excellent performance again could have been 5
0

blueboy1981 added 16:49 - Jan 21 Another great performance from our great Manager ....... ???? For everyone's sake put him out of his (and our) misery please Evans - and let the Club move on.
1

blueboy1981 added 16:52 - Jan 21 Swn98 ......... ever tried taking your head out of the Sand ....... ?? - realisation of what's around you, may just surprise you ..... !!
3

Bluetone added 16:53 - Jan 21 I was for over 50 years an enthusiastic supporter then with the arrival of the dinosaur I gradually became an angry supporter now I have become thoroughly disgusted and completely indifferent to our matches and the far below performances of McCarthy, his (lack of) tactics and his squad of favourite "proper blokes"
3

Hegansheroes added 16:57 - Jan 21 Swn98 a monkey could do a better job
1

blueboy1981 added 17:00 - Jan 21 It's got to the point where calling him a Dinosaur is insulting the Dinosaur - at least he's erased the suspect tenure of John Duncan, over, and over again.
0

Hegansheroes added 17:00 - Jan 21 Do hope (not for his sake) that Bart is genuinely ill and a offer hasn't come in for him as he is the reason we are not in the bottom three
3

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