Chris reviews the 3-0 home win over Reading
Chris Powell was a happy man after Tuesday night’s 3-0 Sky Bet Championship home win over Reading.
Goals from Harry Bunn, Nahki Wells and Ishmael Miller gave the Terriers a convincing and deserved win over the Royals, which Powell reviewed late in the evening with htafc.com:
“It was a good night’s work tonight. Another clean sheet is great for us and I’m really pleased with the performance and response to Saturday’s home draw. We hadn’t won at home for a few games and this is a good response from the players tonight.
“I thought the crowd were good tonight. We wanted to give them something early on to warm them up on a cold night and I thought the players did; I’m really pleased for them. The win was well deserved.”
Powell’s side attacked well throughout the 90 minutes, showing a more clinical edge than was on display in the 0-0 draw at home to Cardiff City on Saturday.
Chris explained: “You always go out with the best intentions, but sometimes it just doesn’t happen for you. That can be down to an off-day or because of the opposition.
“I always look and try to get the right balance of getting our ball players in the game as well as defending well. I ask myself questions all the time about that. I always want them to go out with a positive mind-set.
“You want to do well at home and do everything you can to get the crowd going. If you can get on the front foot and stretch the game, it can make the nights go a bit easier.
“Tonight we put Reading under pressure and got good balls into the final third, with better movement in the final third. We felt we struggled a little bit with that at the weekend.
“I thought Harry Bunn really set his stall out and that put a marker down for the team.”
Nahki Wells grabbed his 12th goal of the season, but Chris explained he could have easily been off the pitch when he did due to injury.
The Bermudian striker was hurt in a heavy collision with Reading custodian Adam Federici just before the half-time interval, which eventually led to him being withdrawn.
“We didn’t want to take him off so close to half-time and the medical staff thought he was ok to see it through.
“He was clearly in some pain during the interval, but typically he was desperate to stay on. At first it was his shin, then his thigh, then his shoulder – then he was winded! It was a heavy blow. Still, he wanted his goal, so we left him on for five minutes.
“He looked over to me and signalled he couldn’t continue. We told Vaughany to get ready but it took him a little while – and in that time Nahki scored! It was great management I suppose!
“I’m pleased for him, especially as he hit the post just before half-time. The incident was no fault of the goalkeeper; Nahki was just very brave. Hopefully it’s not too serious and he’ll be in contention for Saturday.”
Powell was also pleased for Ishmael Miller, who got his first Town goal on just his second start.
“Every striker wants to get going and Ish has had a start and a couple of cameos before tonight.
“I was really pleased for the team, because we scored a really good team goal at Bournemouth that went under the radar a little bit; every player bar Murray Wallace touched the ball in the build-up. Tonight we made a good tackle on the edge of our box, Ishmael back-heeled to Jonathan Hogg and he played the cross-field pass. It was good control and a lofted ball by Vaughany before Ishmael lobbed the ‘keeper.
“It was a popular goal, because he’s popular amongst the group. The fans will warm to him because he has some good qualities; he’s quick and can take people on. He tries things and they won’t always happen, but I still like that he tries them. He’s good for the team and I think he will get more goals for us.
“That goal killed Reading’s spirit and allowed us to introduce Joe Lolley and young William Boyle, who sadly didn’t get a touch. The play went down the right, which is a shame for him. At least he has made his debut and he may get a few more games in the future.”
Powell made three changes to his team for the game, with two – the withdrawal of Sean Scannell and Conor Coady – enforced.
“Sean has been immense for us, but he’s very tired; I thought he looked jaded on Saturday. He’s had a few strains and we felt that if we pushed him tonight, he may have missed more games. He’s missed one tonight and hopefully he should be ok for the weekend.
“Conor Coady was ill. He was edging to play, but I took the decision out of his hands. With games coming up in London on Saturday and Tuesday, I’m hoping he’ll be fit.
“Their returns will give me a few dilemmas. I felt a little bit of rotation was needed tonight and I will utilise my squad as much as I can.”
