Chris reviews the first pre-season game at Guiseley
- Manager Chris Powell reacts to pre-season win at Guiseley
- Chris explains Martin Cranie's trial period
- Powell previews week-long camp in Spain
Huddersfield Town Manager Chris Powell was a happy man after today’s pre-season friendly win over Guiseley.
The Manager saw his side emerge 3-1 winners from an entertaining game at Nethermoor Park thanks to strikes from Nahki Wells, Jacob Butterfield and Joe Lolley.
Powell fielded 20 different players across the 90 minutes, which he explained after the final whistle:
“In our first game I only wanted them paying 45 minutes each, but sadly we lost one or two players (to injury) during the week.
“With an Under-21 game yesterday (a behind closed doors match at Newcastle United), that left us a bit thin on the ground. Harry Bunn, William Boyle and Duane Holmes had to play for a bit longer.
“That’s the first game out of the way, which helps blow out the cobwebs. No matter what training work you do – unit work, eleven vs eleven or individual work – it’s all about what happens on the pitch on a Saturday or in midweek.
“This helps us get used to matches again; the crowd and playing under pressure.
“It was more out of necessity today that we started with three at the back, as we didn’t have many midfielders available. Kyle Dempsey went back home to Carlisle – he’ll meet us at the airport – and we lost Phil Billing alongside Jon Hogg.
“I thought all the players did very, very well. I was hoping for a clean sheet and it was a dubious penalty to concede, although I am going to say that!
“We scored three good goals. Nahki showed good movement for his after a good move by Duane and I liked the second game because Harry Bunn and Jack Senior didn’t give things up before it was expertly finished by Jacob. Joe Lolley had a few chances today – like our other wide players, he was in his element. Sean Scannell in particular had a bit of fun out there.
“That was the positive game we needed, so now we’ll go out to Spain and look to kick things on a notch out there.”
Powell confirmed that trialist goalkeeper Brian Murphy has now left the Club, but he did field another trialist in today’s game; 28 year-old defender Martin Cranie, who played for League 1 Barnsley last season.
Chris continued: “He’s trained with us for the past four days and played 45 minutes today. He’s a good defender with Championship know-how. I think he left Barnsley because of the contract and the money he was earning.
“We need someone to come into that area and fight for a place, so we’ll see where things go with Martin. He’s done very, very well this week.”
Another player back on the field for Town was Adam Hammill, with Powell explaining the door is open for the winger to establish himself.
“It is down to him; it’s as simple as that. He’s come back and he’s our player. I’ve spoken at length with him and we’ll take it day by day with Adam, because last year was a mixed season for him.
“He shows flashes of brilliance and there’s always been something there, going back to his days at Barnsley, Wolves and Liverpool as a kid. We need to make sure that comes out.
“With Harry Bunn, Joe Lolley, ‘Scanz’ and Adam, we’ve got four good wide players. They have to show everybody they mean business come 8 August.”
Ishmael Miller was down to start the game, but was pulled from the line-up as a precaution.
Chris explained: “He felt something in the warm-up after a small issue on Friday, so he was left out as a precaution. He’s been checked over by our new Head of Medical Ian Kirkpatrick. I don’t want to risk him, as he’s vital now we’ve lost Vaughany to a knock. We’ll do our best to keep him on the field.”
The Terriers will set off for La Cala in Spain on Sunday to embark upon a week-long training camp, which includes a friendly against Leyton Orient.
“We’ll build on what we’ve done this week, with more focus on the shape of the team. Whereas today’s game was more about the physical element, next week will be more technical and tactical. Hopefully we will show that in the game against Orient out there and build again.
“Ishmael will travel, but James Vaughan won’t go due to his leg injury.”
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