Huddersfield Town

A strike from Sean Scannell on the winger’s 100th appearance for the Club and an own goal set Town on their way in an enjoyable encounter against a good side, who made the home fans sweat after netting through Jonathan Douglas with around 20 minutes to go.

After the final whistle, Chris commented: “It was enjoyable for 80 minutes and then the last 10 were quite nerve-racking for all Town supporters. I’m really pleased for them today, because it’s been a tough period for us. That’s what the Championship is like, but you want to do well and win; you don’t want to let people down. 

“After the superb run we had, it felt as if we were ebbing away a bit and people were getting a little edgy; perhaps rightly so. However, I’ve got a decent team here and if we can reach a consistent frame of mind – particularly on the road – we can improve our season. There’s no shortage of talent and hard work in this team. 

“We’ve been really good at home because of the backing we have and the way we approach games. I’m really pleased with the points and the way we’re performing here, as our fans are. We’re certainly entertaining, which is what we set out to do. 

“We had a real intensity to our play in an open game today. Alex Smithies made some good saves, as did David Button. I felt we were really brave playing two strikers and changing formation against a side arriving here on the back of five wins. 

“We had a chance to kill the game at 2-0; I think a third would have really broken their spirit. We didn’t manage to do it and they scored, so invariably we were hanging on. We made some really brave blocks and still had chances to counter, so people certainly got their moneys-worth!

“I thought the players stood up to the test against a bright side and we’ve ended up with three points. Now things are a little bit brighter in the blue and white world of Huddersfield Town.  We needed a result any which way – and we got it.” 

Chris changed the shape of the side to a 3-5-2 ahead of the match, which he explained:

“We were kind of three at the back! I say ‘kind of’ because I wanted Tommy Smith to get forward and support Sean Scannell, which he did. We broke really well from the back in the first-half and did our defensive duties really well in the second. 

“We wanted Jack Robinson to be a bit more defensively aware because Brentford started to get out. 

“We want to be fluid and adjust at any time. We were playing against a side that has been doing really well, but I felt we could get at them and that’s why I played two strikers and stiffened up the midfield.” 

The Town Manager also picked out a few players who he felt helped the team maintain its impressive form on home soil:

“I thought Nahki (Wells) was a thorn in their side a lot today, but he should have got a goal. His big chance came in a similar position to the one against Sheffield Wednesday. He played a big role in the first goal, when we showed good movement and delivery.

“People told me that Sean (Scannell) didn’t score goals! I think we can see a player really enjoying his football at the moment, but there were a number of really good performances today; I thought Jack Robinson and Jonathan Hogg really set the tone early on. 

“Alex (Smithies) made some good saves at crucial times, including one outstanding one in the first-half when the ball took a deflection. The one from the free-kick in the second-half was good too. Alex is a really good ‘keeper and I thought he showed that today.” 

Powell also fielded a strong and experienced bench for the game including Paul Dixon, Anthony Gerrard, James Vaughan Danny Ward, Adam Hammill and Lee Peltier

He continued: “We’ve had guys out with injuries and the players in the team have earned the right to keep them. People might think they should be playing, but the lads in the team have got us results and points. 

“I’m pleased the players are back because Christmas is coming. Hopefully they will get game time and we’ll keep picking up points. 

“Having those players back will only make us stronger. Of course they want to play, but I make the decision; I have to choose 11 to start and seven subs. Invariably people miss out, but I have to be strong in my conviction about the team I choose.”

One man not in the match day 18 was Diego Poyet, who will now return to Premier League West Ham following the conclusion of his loan spell.

“Diego wasn’t injured today, but he’ll now go back to West Ham and with today being his last game I thought it was right to go with the players that will be here. I would have liked to keep him around over the busy Christmas period, but he leaves with our best wishes. He’s a lad I really like; he’ll be a very good player.”