Huddersfield Town

Nahki Wells led a two goal fight-back with a brace in the second-half, with the Terriers looking the more likely to go on and win it in the later stages. 

Chris explained: “I was very pleased with the performance – even at 1-0 down at half-time. We passed the ball very well and fashioned some really good chances. In the first-half we needed to hit the target and (Dean) Gerken made a good save from Nahki. At half-time I said to the players that we knew we could get something from this game. 

“Then we conceded from a set play. We’d talked about the strengths of Ipswich and we know that’s a big strength of theirs. 

“At 2-0 we were thinking it may not be our day, but the character of the players was pleasing. They know they can push forward and get results, whether that’s for a point or three. There was also an impact from the two subs, so I’m really pleased.  

“I felt like the lads could have gone on and got all three points, but after being 2-0 down I have to be happy with a point.”

Powell made three changes to his in-form side today, but had no hesitation in making a double sub at two goals down – with Sean Scannell and Harry Bunn having an impact. 

“It was a tough call to rest one or two today like I did but they came on, made an impact and helped us earn a point. It’s very easy to stick with the same team, but at this level you have to be clever sometimes. 

“I want to be careful, because Sean and Harry have made such an impact and I want them to do that long term as well. They’ve carried the team forward, created chances and scored goals. I also looked at Ipswich, who play a front three and are quite direct at times to a plan, and I felt we needed that extra security. That shape still allowed us to have the three in the middle of the park that have been dovetailing really well and it gave us two up top to get at Ipswich, which we did.

“I knew I had those guys up my sleeve and with half an hour to go, I had to go to them. It’s never just about 11 players. Early on here I was looking at the bench and thinking we didn’t have an impact, but we are getting there; one or two players have really stepped up to the mark. 

“Paul Dixon came in too. He has barely played, but he’s been doing really well in training and I felt he warranted a chance. That is no slant on Jack Robinson who has been really good.”

One of the players coming into the side today was Bermudian hot-shot Wells, who netted two more to take his early season total to eight in all competitions. 

Chris explained: “If you manage players in the right way, I think they will respond. I’ve kept telling Nahki that he has a part to play for us. I’m paid to make big decisions and people will always wonder about the reasoning, but I try to justify them. They won’t always work. 

“Nahki is a goal scorer and you want those in your squad. He will continue to score goals for us in the future, like he has done today. He could have had a hat-trick, but I’ll settle for the two after what happened. 

“Every player is playing their part at the minute. That’s really good for me as a new Manager at a fantastic club. I know whether we are ahead or behind that we can lean on our characters, play our football and get results.”

Town now have a free week ahead of Saturday’s game at home to Nottingham Forest – a fact Powell welcomes.

“That result keeps our momentum going and our confidence high. We’ve protected our unbeaten run. We’ve dropped down a place today, but it doesn’t matter – we have gained a lot from what’s happened today. We’ll take that on board moving forward. 

“We will now rest up before we play Forest next week, because we’ve had a really hard week. The players need time to get that spark back and get ready for a tough home game. Hopefully our fans can drive us on to three points.”