Why Radinio Balker Must Start For Huddersfield Against Rotherham – Opinion

Plagued by defensive woes, Championship strugglers Huddersfield Town suffered a disappointing collapse in the second half of their tussle with West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, with Carlos Corberan’s Baggies overturning a 1-0 deficit to run away 4-1 victors. As a result of their defeat, Andre Breitenreiter’s Terriers sit 22nd in the table and are one of several teams very much embroiled in the fierce relegation battle towards the foot of the Championship table.

While the disappointment of Sunday has undoubtedly put a dent in the Terriers’ survival hopes, they can’t afford to dwell on the defeat with a huge match ahead as they travel to free-falling Rotherham United at the weekend, who have now lost nine consecutive games. With that in mind, it’s key that Town secure three points in South Yorkshire. To put it simply, it’s their easiest chance at getting a win between now and the end of the season.

While West Brom deserve a wealth of praise for their brilliance in the second half on Sunday, you could argue that Huddersfield were architects of their own downfall. After the half-time break, the back five appeared jaded and looked short of answers when it came to stopping the Baggies attacking barrage.

As a result, Breitenreiter will surely look to shake up the Town starting XI this weekend and you could argue defensive changes are paramount. With that in mind, Radinio Balker is a man who could be called upon, having made a brief cameo off the bench towards the end of Sunday’s encounter.

A quick, robust defender, Dutchman Balker has caught the eye since arriving in West Yorkshire in the January transfer window, but he has undoubtedly been hindered by injury issues and as a result, he’s been limited to just three starts. His return to the match-day squad at the weekend, however, does indicate a return to full fitness and will give him a strong chance of a fourth start against Rotherham.

Two notable strugglers for Huddersfield at the weekend were two of their central defensive duo, Matty Pearson and Tom Lees, with their respective 5.9 and 6.0 ratings on WhoScored telling the story of their lacklustre displays. The pair seemed to be exploited on numerous occasions by WBA’s pace in attack, something that shouldn’t pose the same threat for Balker who was clocked as one of the fastest players in the Eredivisie during his time in his native Holland. If he is to be given the nod from the start when the Terriers travel to South Yorkshire, it will surely be in favour of one of Pearson or Lees.

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Consecutive defeats against Cardiff City and West Brom have put Huddersfield under immense pressure going into the final nine games that remain in this pulsating Championship season. Brietenrieter will be aware that his side has little margin for error between now and the end of the campaign and the return to fitness for Balker couldn’t have come at a better time.

If he can keep injuries at bay between now and May, he could have a huge say in the run-in for the West Yorkshire outfit. His pace and his passing range will ease the strain on the talismanic Michal Helik ease, who seemed to be doing a three-man job in phases of Sunday’s game.

Saturday is a must-win game for Huddersfield. If they’re to be at their best at The New York Stadium, they need Radinio Balker in from the start. His influence at the back can’t be underestimated and it could go a long way to helping the Terriers secure another season of second-tier football. Their Dutch defender is one to watch in the run-in.

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1 thought on “Why Radinio Balker Must Start For Huddersfield Against Rotherham – Opinion”

  1. Quality article pal. The lad gives us plenty of pace at the back, which we lack with the current setup. Could be a key figure in this relegation battle.. 😉👊🏻🔵⚪

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