All Rhodes lead to big future for new boss says Pelach
HUDDERSFIELD caretaker boss Narcis Pelach claims their new manager will inherit a side showing the fighting spirit needed to survive.
Huddersfield are searching for Danny Schofield’s successor and Pelach was delighted by the Terriers’ attitude as they recorded only their second league win of the season thanks to Jordan Rhodes’ early strike.
“The new manager is going to come in and as a staff we have to prepare this team so when he comes in, the squad will be ready,” he said.
“I think the club needed this win, not playing football, but by showing fight.
“This is what we did last season and we did something very nice.
“We were not the best today, but we were fighting for every action.
“This is what we need to do in training and in every game because the Championship is very demanding.”
Cardiff boss Steve Morison backed Callum Robinson to bounce back from his missed penalty, which cost them a point at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Robinson’s spot-kick was saved by Lee Nicholls and Morison claimed they should have had a second penalty for Jack Rudoni’s foul on Jaden Philogene, which was given as a freekick on the edge of the box.
“He’ll be gutted, he’ll feel a sense of responsibility, but I’m sure he will score many goals when he gets the opportunity,” said Morison.
“The second one’s a stonewall penalty. It’s in the box by a yard.
“They couldn’t tell so they gave the safe option of a foul on the edge of the box, but the lino is looking straight at it along the line.”
Huddersfield showed all the qualities needed to climb the table and they played with grit and desire.
Rhodes led the line well and produced a clinical finish for his goal, while teenager Etienne Camara was dominant in midfield on his full league debut and Michal Helik was resolute at the back.
The winner came after just eight minutes when Tino Anjorin linked with Duane Holmes to feed Rhodes, who scored rightfooted inside the near post for his third of the season.
The Terriers were on top and Holmes cut in from the right to hit a left-foot shot, which was saved by Ryan Allsop.
Cardiff responded and Robinson fired a rightfoot effort over before they won a penalty for Anjorin’s high challenge on Philogene, only for Robinson to miss his 21st-minute effort.
The Bluebirds kept up the pressure and Perry Ng fired a drive just over while Nicholls saved Callum O’Dowda’s free-kick, which Morison felt should have been a penalty.
Huddersfield could have won by more and Rudoni dallied too long when through on goal allowing Cedric Kipre to get in a vital challenge.
HUDDERSFIELD: Nicholls 7; Turton 6, Lees 6, Helik 7, Nakayama 7; Kasumu 6, Camara 8, Holmes 6 (Thomas (79) 5), Anjorin 6 (Ward (45) 6), Rudoni 5 (Jones (57) 6); Rhodes 7 (Mbete (90) 5)
CARDIFF: Allsop 6; Ng 6 (Sang (82) 5), Kipre 7, Simpson 6; Romeo 6 (Colwill (70) 5), Wintle 6, Rinomhota 5
(Ojo (90) 5), O’Dowda 6, Nkounkou 5 (Harris (45) 6); Robinson 4, Philogene 6 (Sawyers (45) 6)
STAR MAN: Etienne Camara – the young Frenchman impressed in midfield on his full Terriers league debut.
REF: Dean Whitestone 7