No spot of bother after penalty miss
DANNY Cowley picked out a key moment in Huddersfield Town’s win over Birmingham City which spoke volumes for their unity as a squad.
The Terriers were leading 1-0 thanks to a Karlan Grant penalty when they were awarded a second spot-kick by referee Robert Jones - this time Grant failing to take advantage as Lee Camp made a smart save.
It could have proved a turning point with Town’s game confidence having taken a pounding thanks to successive defeats at the hands of Leeds United, Wigan Athletic and Nottingham Forest.
But Town responded superbly to the setback, immediately went two goals up thanks to Fraizer Campbell’s expert finish and then, 20 minutes later, put the gloss on the 3-0 scoreline with a fine goal by Elias Kachunga, who was recalled to the starting line-up.
“I was particularly pleased with how we reacted off the back of missing the penalty,” said Cowley, who made three changes to his starting line-up.
“In that moment, as a team that’s had a difficult period in the last couple of weeks, we could easily have felt sorry for ourselves in that situation.
“But we didn’t. We stayed really resilient and we kept fighting.
“We stayed in the moment and, as a result, we were able to score that important second goal.
“After that, I thought we had a really good place in the game.
“We’ve had a lot of criticism, most of it being fair, but when you are in a difficult moment you learn a lot about yourself. It is easy to stand tall when things are going well.”
HUDDERSFIELD Town boss Danny Cowley is keen not to get carried away with his side’s splendid 3-0 win at Birmingham City on Wednesday night.
Yes, the display and result provided a psychological tonic by ending a run of three successive defeats which had dropped Town into dire relegation trouble.
But just because the Terriers are out of the bottom three with six matches to play, Cowley is in no mood for premature
You don’t become a good team with one good performance. The challenge is to back
it up with consistency
HUDDERSFIELD Town fans have understandably warmed to the club’s biggest away win of the season and climbing out of the Championship relegation zone because of it.
The 3-0 victory against Birmingham City at St Andrew’s ended a run of three successive defeats either side of the lockdown which left manager Danny Cowley and his players under an intense spotlight.
A fine performance in the Midlands, however, has lifted a good deal of gloom, although there is still much work to do in the final six matches, starting against Preston North End at the John Smith’s tomorrow.
Here’s some of the reaction from the Birmingham performance, sent to ExaminerLive...
the energy and commitment lacking in the previous two defeats - helped by playing a worse opponent.
Apart from a shaky second quarter, the defence was much tighter. Hope dawns again!
As enjoyable as the previous defeats had been miserymaking.
Players in their right positions playing to their strengths. They should have scored more.
Now we wait to see which Town team will turn up on Saturday. It’s never boring!
What a difference three days make.
Campbell up front, Grant on the left , number 10 Smith Rowe calling the shots. Mounie coming on in the second half, laying on the third goal, clean sheet, away from home. More of the same on Saturday against PNE.
All the players seemed 100 per cent focused on winning. Well done Huddersfield.
Having two centre forwards available made a massive difference to the shape of the side. Well done.
A wonderful victory and a psychological boost at just the right moment.
Preston are in terrible form and Town must take advantage of this on Saturday.
In these difficult financial circumstances it is crucial that Town stay in the Championship.
A tad lucky to keep them to nil in the first half, but much improved all round.
Much better when players are all in their preferred positions. Keep it going.