Huddersfield Town

- Chris Powell previews Huddersfield Town vs Nottingham Forest

- Town live on Sky Sports on Thursday evening

- Powell targets third successive victory

The Terriers come into the game on the back of successive wins over Charlton Athletic and Bolton Wanderers and will look for another victory in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

Both sides have seen a notable change in the playing staff since the two league meetings last season; something Powell suggested is par for the course across football.

“We’ve had a change in personnel; not by design but instead through demand. The clubs have paid good fees and we’ve adjusted accordingly by bringing in new players. They are still gelling, but they have introduced themselves to the fans in the last two wins.

“We’re still way too early to get carried away, as we’re still a work in progress. We’re constantly looking to get better so we can earn wins and points. 

“Forest have had that too, with the likes of Michail Antonio leaving. You just have to carry on and adjust accordingly. You put your trust in other players and look for them to become key players.”

On Thursday night’s opponents, Powell commented:

“Nottingham Forest is a club of good stature with a proud history. They’ve picked up recently and are doing OK.

“Dougie (Freedman) is someone I got to know particularly well, as we used to live in the same village when we were managing teams in south London. We’ve also been on coaching courses together. 

“He’s gone into Forest and their circumstances relating to FFP must be tough, so fair play to him and his group. He’s galvanised and motivated his squad.” 

Town enjoyed success over the Tricky Trees last season, recording two victories that were important in the context of the campaign - as the Manager explained:

“The home game featured a fantastic display by the team; it was a pulsating, end-to-end game featuring some good attacking and a clean sheet. I want one of those again; that’s a big theme for us at the moment. 

“At the City Ground, I felt the performance and result cemented our position in the Championship. We got some more points after that but I felt that game was very important at the time, following up the win over Ipswich. Sean Scannell’s goal that day was deserving of winning any game. 

“Of course, those games happened last year and mean nothing now. It’s all systems go now ahead of playing them at home again.” 

Chris will still be without Joe Murphy (calf), Mark Hudson (ankle) and James Vaughan (calf), whilst Jamie Paterson cannot feature against his parent club as per the terms of his loan to HTAFC.

Chris continued: “I speak to the injured players every day, even if it is just a quick chat. It’s very easy to forget about them, but you have to manage them as well. 

“I watched Mark Hudson do some work and he is progressing well. He’s been around long enough to know he’ll get his opportunity, because players eventually get back in. When they do, it’s their chance to do it.”

The Town boss has enjoyed seeing his side in action over the past seven days, but is keen to keep his players’ feet on the ground ahead of the Forest game.

“You must always enjoy the moment; you’d be mad not to after the first six games, where it didn’t happen for us. 

“The mood gets dictated by wins. We had been doing OK, but ultimately you need points on board and to get those you must win football matches. Physically and tactically we’ve looked OK, but getting across the line with those wins has helped mentally. It has helped the supporters and the players feel good about themselves too. 

“The table makes better reading. It is quite amazing that we were 23rd after Cardiff and within eight days we’d gone up 10 places, but it’s concertinaed and we know that one or two results could change all that. It’s going to be like that for the majority of teams all season.  

“We’ve enjoyed it but not too much, as the next challenge is around the corner. It’s my job to keep them right, as we have to sustain our form. Back-to-back wins are big in the Sky Bet Championship, but nine points from nine would be huge. I still want more and I’m demanding it from the players, because we haven’t managed three successive wins during my year here. 

“Their attitude has been spot on as a group and the spirit is even better now. That togetherness wins you games, because no individual can win you games; you need everyone in it together. I’ve always built my teams on that, because it can take you a long way. If the supporters get involved with that, all the better.” 

Powell finished by confirming that full back Stephen Kelly and striker Leon Best are currently training with the squad at PPG Canalside.

“They are training with us, although they’ve only been here for a day. Both lads are free agents, but there’s nothing imminently happening. We’ll see how it goes.”