Town need to evoke memory of Forest win
TOWN take on Nottingham Forest this coming weekend, reviving memories of arguably the Terriers’ best performance of the Chris Powell era.
Just over five years ago, Forest visited the John Smith’s Stadium and were sent packing 3-0, thanks to goals from Joel Lynch, Nahki Wells and Grant Holt.
The Forest side, just for the record, included a certain Tom Ince, who was making his debut on loan from Hull City for Reds boss Stuart Pearce.
And the Town side would have included Jonathan Hogg, but he aggravated a thigh injury in the warm-up and lost his place.
Nevertheless, Lynch gave Town the ideal start by heading home against his former club in just 44 seconds, from a Jack Robinson long throw.
Wells extended the lead 20 minutes in - on his 150th league appearance - with another header (his ninth goal of the season on November 1) after linking neatly with strike partner Holt (it was a 4-4-2 formation on the day).
Holt sealed it nine minutes into the second half, slamming a Sean Scannell pass beyond Forest keeper Karl Darlow.
Examiner Town editor Mel Booth said it was a magnificent team display featuring highstandard performances in every department.
He reported: “Let’s start with the faults in Town’s performance.
“Right, that’s those dealt with.
“Now let’s focus on the things they got right - and this may take some time.
“From first whistle to last this was a team display bristling with purpose, bursting with energy and overflowing with a captivating will to win.
“Every man in blue and white stripes stepped up to the mark, stretched sinew and sweated blood and, when that looked like it wasn’t going to be enough, they dug even deeper.” He added: “This was a compelling show of ability from Town and one which suggests they will become bedfellows with the top half of the table for much longer this term than has been the case in the past.
“There was drive, flair and fluency in abundance and the fans bought into it - boy did they buy into it.”
Powell said of the display: “Some of our football, our wing play and our finishing was a real joy.
“I was really proud of all the players because, even in the 93rd and 94th minute, we were putting our bodies on the line to try to keep a clean sheet, and that’s the attitude that will take us forward.”
■Town’s team was: Alex Smithies, Tommy Smith, Jack Robinson, Mark Hudson, Joel Lynch, Sean Scannell, Jacob Butterfield, Conor Coady, Harry Bunn, Nahki Wells, Grant Holt. Subs were: Lee Peltier, Danny Ward (winger), Martin Paterson, Joe Murphy (keeper), Paul Dixon,
Murray Wallace and Anthony Gerrard.