Huddersfield Town were defeated at the hands of Middlesbrough at home in the Sky Bet Championship, the visitors scoring two early goals in the contest.

Duncan Watmore's double sealed the defeat for the Terriers as he slammed home the first and chipped the ball over the ‘keeper for the second, with the West Yorkshire team unable to recover despite getting one back courtesy of Luke Daniels’ own goal in stoppage time with the ‘keeper putting the ball in his own net.

  • The Terriers’ defence needs to be more watchful and disciplined

Having been very good defensively, perhaps the West Yorkshire outfit just came up against a stronger side who will themselves have ambitions to move into the top six.

Having been more disciplined in previous games, the Terriers have had a mixed bag of form defensively. Levi Colwill has been a star player all season and has helped make a massive impact, but he cant fix the Terriers’ defensive issues alone with the team needing to identify their issues if they are to challenge for the top six. 

  • Lee Nicholls must prevent easy mistakes

The Terriers keeper was culpable for the second goal, failing to get to the ball before being chipped by Watmore. Having had a slippery defence in front of him during the game, the ‘keeper didn't help the team or his own cause.

The first goal was something the goalkeeper could not prevent though after the ball was smashed home from close range, catching him by surprise with the power on the ball.  

  • Duane Holmes has been out of form

Having not had the best of games against West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough, the midfielder has lacked creativity on the wing and struggled to stamp his authority on the game.

Although his Swansea City goal from last season is still in the memory of Town fans, this has not been backed up this season. He will be looking to pick up this kind of form towards the end of this season in order to make a mark in the Championship and maybe the Premier League next season if Town make it that far.

  • Town must press from the off and not sit back waiting for things to happen

Town's issues lie generally by starting contests slow and allowing oppositions onto them easily.

Finding the balance between attack and defence remains Carlos Corberan's biggest challenge in such a heavyweight and physical league. He clearly has the ammunition to trouble teams with players in form at the top and in the middle of the pitch. But defensively his side has been found out numerous times, often switching off and allowing possession of the football to be kept at ease.

  • The next five games are crucial 

The Terriers now have five winnable games before the new year. They will be looking to pick up as many points as they can to stay amongst the play-off positions.

The hardest outfit on paper will be Coventry City with their youngsters who have impressed this season, exceeding expectations personally and for the club based on their current position in the league table. Currently five points better off than Town, Coventry sit firmly in the play-offs. Games against Nottingham Forest and Blackpool will be tough, but the Terriers must secure three points in these respective games to stop the rot. 

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