Boss previews Tuesday night’s game vs MK Dons
- Chris Powell previews MK Dons game
- Manager wants to build on Ipswich draw
- Boss says young players pushing for place
Huddersfield Town Manager Chris Powell today previewed Tuesday night’s game at home to Milton Keynes Dons.
Town secured a point at Ipswich on Saturday thanks to a first clean sheet of the season and Powell was pleased with the reaction of his players following on from the defeat at Wolves before the international break.
“I was looking for a response from Wolves and I certainly got it. I think on the balance of play a point was fair, but we started off the game in good fashion and could’ve found ourselves or goal or two up,” Chris explained.
“I felt the level of performance was good and we got a welcomed clean sheet. That’s what we need to do.”
Powell reserved special praise for right back Martin Cranie, who has performed consistently well since joining the Club on a free transfer in the summer.
“When I had the chance to bring him in in the summer on trial, straight away I thought it was a bit of a no-brainer.
“He’s played at this level for a long time and he’s been a Captain, so you know he’s got leadership qualities. I watched him train with us and fit right in, so I thought he’s be a very useful addition to the squad.
“He’s an intelligent defender. He puts himself in the right place and makes good decisions. He’s low maintenance, gets on with it and knows the game. I think players like that are vital to a Championship side.
“I felt it was right to bring Martin into the team and he’s responded to that with a real consistent run of games and I want that to continue.”
The Terriers are on home soil twice this week, but the Manager is totally focused on the test that Milton Keynes Dons will pose on Tuesday night:
“Now we have two very important home games, starting with MK Dons. It’ll be a very different test to the Ipswich game, but one we’ll be ready for.
“We know that they like to be quite expansive and open and they never ever change from it. At times it works for them, like it did on Saturday, and at times it doesn’t but that’s what they want to do.
“Like most teams that come up from League 1, they’ll be on a high. They’ve worked hard to get in this division and they’ve finally managed to do it.
“They’ve done alright so far and they’ve got a manager who has done well and managed for quite a long time now. I think, over time, if they keep picking up results like that (Blackburn), it’ll build their confidence and they’ll feel like they belong in the Championship.
“Of course I don’t want them to build on their result on Saturday but they’ll give it all they’ve got.
“In possession we do have the players to hurt them if we make sure our game plan is right and we stick to it. We’ll look to get three points and a welcomed home win.”
Town’s Under-21 side recorded a sixth successive win at home to Coventry City on Monday afternoon and Powell admitted that the Club’s young players are pushing to be involved in his First Team:
“I’m doing the best I can to introduce a few of the younger ones. Phil Billing has done very well this year and we’re now including him in the squads, whilst Flo Bojaj and Will Boyle have been travelling. With James Vaughan suspended, it might be that I give Flo a go.”
Powell will be without the suspended James Vaughan and injured Jonathan Hogg (thigh) on Tuesday night, but confirmed everyone else looks OK.
“Lynchy had a bit of a problem towards the end of the game on Saturday, but he stayed on and should be OK.
“There were some bruises in places I’ve never seen them before after Saturday, but they all came through it.”
Admission to the game is just £10 at the turnstiles for adults!
