Carlos Corberàn's competitive debut as Huddersfield Town manager was one to forget as his side were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Rochdale.
Corberàn handed out 3 competitive debuts. Winger Danny Ward, back for a 2nd spell at Town. Youngsters Romoney Crichlow-Noble and Ben Jackson were also handed competitive debuts after impressing during pre-season. Academy graduate Aaron Rowe was given a start at right back as was promising forward Josh Koroma. He will be hoping to have a run in the team and put a frustrating 19/20 behind him.
New arrival, Goalkeeper Joel Pereria on loan from Manchester United had to settle for a place on the bench.
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Story Of The Match
Huddersfield started the brighter looking to impose themselves on Rochdale. It took nine minutes for the first chance of the game. Koroma who scored against Dale in pre-season before 19/20. Midfielder Juninho Bacuna playing the ball into the box, Koroma who had drifted in from the right faked to volley before skipping past the defender but was only able to fire straight at Gavin Bazunu in the Dale goal.
Koroma had another chance moments later, turning his marker Jimmy Keohane but again was only able to fire straight at Bazunu who parried but Ward was deemed offside as he chased the rebound.
The first big moment arrived after 21 minutes. Rochdale had rarely threatened up to that point but had the ball in the net. After Town couldn't clear their lines, the ball found it's way to Forward Alex Newby who slotted past Ben Hamer in the Huddersfield goal, but the linesman raised his flag late on and the game remained 0-0.
Town nearly took advantage instantly. Left Back Harry Toffolo rose highest from a corner beating Bazunu to the ball but was unable to direct his header on target with the goal at his mercy.
Town were having most of the ball but were unable to really carve out a meaningful chance and the half fizzled out with lots of their attacking play was too slow paced and easily snuffed out. Apart from the disallowed goal, Rochdale hadn't had a sniff and needed to improve in the second period.
They obliged and hit the front five minutes into the half. Dale won a free kick on the right and opted to cross it in. Hamer got caught in no mans land and centre half Eoghan O'Connell capitalised rising above Town skipper Chris Schindler to head home.
Having to react and push forward Corberàn sacrificed his skipper in favour of Adama Diakhaby, back in from the cold and hoping to make an impact that would kickstart his Town career.
But it didn't work. A mixture of poor service and lack of threat meant in truth it was all too easy for Dale to see the game out.
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Takeaways
It is a worrying start for Corberàn and his side.
They were easily frustrated by Rochdale who number of bodies proved too much.
The goal was self inflicted with neither Hamer or Schindler covering themselves in glory, whilst the lack of cutting edge was evident and both Karlan Grant and Steve Mounie were sorely missed.
Danny Ward looked well of the pace up top and may have cost himself a starting berth.
Youngsters were the only silver lining with all four putting in solid performances.
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Stand out players
It was a poor team performance so finding stand out players for the Terriers was difficult:
Josh Koroma: Probably Town's best player. Got into the right positions and made some good runs but his end product was well below the pay grade.
Alex Pritchard: Played some neat passes and put a couple of good crosses in but was let down by his teammates.
As for Rochdale, O'Connell's clean sheet and goal meant it was a perfect day at the office for him, he stood out from the rest and sent his side into the next round.