Town’s Manager reviews Blackpool victory
Huddersfield Town Manager Chris Powell believes his side’s start against Blackpool was the best it has played during his tenure.
The Terriers blew Town away with a superb opening half-hour, inspired by Sean Scannell on the right flank,
“We were outstanding for the first 30 minutes; it was breathtaking at times,” Chris told htafc.com.
“I decided on the shape of the team yesterday but I didn’t tell the players until today, which is unlike me. I had to let good players like Nahki (Wells) down, but he understood I felt it was the right way to go.
“The way we performed was great. I’m really proud of the start we had, when the players went for the jugular, but we need to do that for 90 minutes – not half an hour and then again at the end.
“Some of our football, movement, passing and attitude was first class today. Our home fans deserve that. After not winning at home for the time we had, we now have back to back home wins. That’s what we need to do.”
Powell picked out Scannell for particular praise after his two early assists:
“Sean Scannell is strutting his stuff and I’m really pleased that he’s responded to what I want. People have told me about his time here before, but I’m trying to cajole him. The only thing he didn’t get was a goal.”
Loan striker Grant Holt also got off the mark for the Club:
“Grant could have had two or three, but their ‘keeper made a really good save from another header in the first-half in particular. I’m really pleased he got off the mark. He’s had the impact we wanted and has made assists, but he wants goals – that’s his trade. He got his today and you could see it lift him and the team.”
Despite the excellent start to the game, Town switched off and let the visitors back into the game with two late first-half goals.
“We let them back in it and my team talk changed from warning against complacency in the second-half, because we showed it towards the end of the first.
“I can take the free-kick going in and coming in at 3-1, but we switched off. You’re at your must vulnerable when you concede. It wasn’t great, so I’ll have a look at that and make sure it’s in the players’ minds ahead of our next game on Tuesday.
“We need to eradicate that, because we were really putting them to the sword and we shouldn’t have let them off. Good teams do what’s right and we have a goal difference to make up – today we had a chance to do that.
“We let them back in it, but the players deserve full credit. They went out in the second-half knowing Blackpool would have their tales up, but they stuck at it. Alex (Smithies) made a good save and they put us under a bit of pressure, but we came through it and that’s really good for our understanding and game management. Jacob (Butterfield) came up with a superb goal and we could have had more.
“We gave the fans value for money, that’s for sure! I would prefer it if we didn’t scare everyone though!
“We want to become a complete team and we’re working towards that. It’s only been 12 games, but I’m really pleased with what we’re displaying at the moment. Let’s hope we can carry on in the same vein on Tuesday.”
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