Chris reviews the 1-0 defeat at Bolton
Huddersfield Town Manager Chris Powell was disappointed that his side couldn’t take its chances to get something from today’s game at Bolton Wanderers.
Jacob Butterfield and Nahki Wells had the best opportunities to register for the Terriers at the Macron Stadium only to be denied by ‘keeper Andy Lonergan and Town were made to pay when Craig Davies notched the only goal of the game in the second-half.
“It was a fairly even game,” Powell said post-match. “We had more shots on target than them and they had more possession, but ultimately it’s about taking the chances that come your way. Sadly for us today, their ‘keeper spread himself on the one big one that came our way and theirs went in from a similar position.
“There are fine margins in this division. Today’s was a 0-0 game really, because it’s not a game where we’ve been on the back foot. Their ‘keeper made a couple of good saves when you include the one from Nahki in the first-half.
“You have to take your chances when they come. Sides in this division are very similar and we’ve had games recently where we could have got something, but it hasn’t gone the way we wanted. It happened again today and we have to arrest that as soon as we can.”
Powell made three chances to his team for today’s game with two coming through injury, as he explained:
“We lost Harry Bunn with a knock (thigh) and I could have gone one or two ways, but Nahki made a good impression last week and I wanted to put Bolton on the back foot. We did that at times and he had a couple of chances.
“I thought Alex Smithies’ handling was very good and he made an outstanding save in the first-half. I’ve always put on record that I have two good ‘keepers and it’s good that we had a competent ‘keeper to come in today with Joe (Murphy) injured.
“We may miss ‘Bunny’ and Joe for two to three weeks, although it’s hard to say in terms of timescale right now. We got another two today; it looked like Sean (Scannell) got a dead leg at the end of the game and Joel (Lynch) felt his groin was tight at half-time. We’ll see how everyone is come Monday and Tuesday.
“That’s part of football; it’s disappointing for those players, but I’m always telling the other players that you might get an opportunity when you least expect it and they have to be ready when it comes along.
“I’ve got good players at my disposal and I want them to go out there to create and score goals, whilst also keeping them out. That was the thinking today, but sadly it didn’t happen. We need to look at one or two areas we can be better in.”
The Terriers are now winless in four games – something Powell is keen to put right against Brentford at the John Smith’s Stadium next weekend.
“It’s not great. We need to bounce back as soon as we can. After such a positive run recently, we’re on the other side now. We know we can get results in this League and we’re aiming to do that again.
“Next week takes care of itself now. Brentford comes to town doing very well in this division, but we have to turn things around.”