Chris: “it’s a real blow”
- Chris Powell reviews QPR defeat
- Manager described late concession as 'a real blow'
- Chris looking ahead to Cardiff
Huddersfield Town Manager Chris Powell cut a disappointed figure following QPR’s late winner at the John Smith’s Stadium this afternoon.
“It’s a real blow to everyone; to the players and the fans. We’ve conceded again late on, although it feels different to last week,” Chris told htafc.com.
“I know we had the lion’s share of possession, but it looked a 0-0 game. Despite that, we looked the brighter team and like the one that may nick something in the last 10 minutes. Instead, it feels like daylight robbery.
“Joe Murphy had one save and that was it. Our defending kept Charlie Austin and their attack quiet. The blow right at the end shows how things are going for us right now. We looked in no real danger apart from the Matt Phillips shot, which Joe dealt with admirably.”
Chris believes the players need to find a cutting edge in the attacking third of the pitch:
“The likes of Nahki and Ishmael are the ones that win you games. Other players crop up with goals too and you hope that when they get half a yard or the delivery is right, they put them away. They’re working hard, but it’s not quite happening for them.
“We’re trying to be positive at home, naming two strikers on the pitch to be on the front foot. We asked Hoggy to do a specific job for us and he did it well again, but it’s just not falling for us. We need to keep our composure, because it will turn in our favour. We will keep working hard to make it happen.
“We knew we would only get an hour out of Sean Scannell as he is clearly not right up to speed. We had to take him off or there could be long term damage, so Joe (Lolley) came on. Later we brought Muzzy (Mustapha Carayol) on. We wanted to get those guys on the ball and we did.”
There was a first appearance in the match day 18 for Academy graduate Flo Bojaj this afternoon, which the Manager explained:
“Flo has been doing very well for the Under-21s. He’s a good player in a good place at the minute having scored three goals in the last three games and I felt he warranted his place for that. We have hopes for a number of players who might come through and I hope Flo uses the experiences of being involved today moving forward.”
On James Vaughan’s omission from the squad, Chris explained:
“Everyone knows about James’ situation and something may be on the horizon for him, although we don’t know with a few days left. I’ve spoken to James and we’re fine about things moving forward; there are no problems, although he clearly feels his future is away from here. That’s the way it is and I have to look at my squad moving forward.”
New boy Mustapha Carayol was introduced as a late sub and Chris liked what he saw:
“One run showed everyone that if we can get him the ball in the right areas, he will be a danger for sure. He needs more games, although he’s trained through pre-season. I always felt he would be an impact player for us today and maybe going forward, but also maybe from the start as well. We’ll work towards that in the international break.”
Now the team has to turn its attentions to the next games; two away trips to Cardiff City and Charlton Athletic.
“Confidence will be low right now, so we need to rally around each other as we move forward. It’s been tough. We do have good players and hopefully the couple of lads will help us, as we need to get something from the next two tough away games. We need a win to get everyone smiling again.”
