A different kind of win to that at
Nottingham Forest, but in its own way, just as satisfying.
David Wagner can reflect on his first back-to-back victories as Huddersfield Town boss after his players put in a real shift to wear down well-organised Wolves.
Now Town go into their Tuesday-night clash at MK Dons 15th in the Championship and seeking three wins running for the first time since late 2013 and only the second since returning to the second tier in 2012.
It’s a great chance to forge further towards the top half of the table and possibly add to a 12-point gap between themselves and the drop zone.
And playing the way they are, Town will fancy their chances of inflicting more misery on MK, who lost 2-0 at home to Bristol City.
The victory over Wolves, who switched from a 4-3-3 formation to 4-4-2 for this fixture, came courtesy of a 79th-minute strike by top scorer Nahki Wells.
His 13th goal of the season was tucked away following good work by Harry Bunn, Karim Matmour, Elvis Manu and James Husband.
All five can be pleased with their
contribution overall.
Wells showed some neat touches, especially in the first half, and kept going even when it looked like his side might not find a way through.
Bunn, who played both wide and as Town’s No10 following the introduction of Matmour, stood up to Wolves’
physical power.
Matmour added impetus after his 59th-minute introduction in place of Jamie Paterson, who had replaced him in the starting line-up and hit a post during the first half.
Fellow substitute Manu, making only his second appearance since joining on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion, added energy and punch at a key time in the game.
And Husband, who will be happy to have chalked up an assist, looked like he is growing into Wagner’s system.
Philip Billing has always appeared comfortable in it, and the midfielder produced another bright display on his third successive start.
The young Dane, working well in
tandem with Jonathan Hogg, made his mark both in prompting attacks and at the back as Town kept consecutive clean sheets for the first time under Wagner’s stewardship.
It wasn’t all plain sailing.
Joe Mason had the ball in the Town net in the 72nd minute, only for his effort to be ruled out for offside.
Then keeper Jed Steer pulled off a smart save from Bjorn Sigurdarson.
And in stoppage time, skipper Mark Hudson almost went from saint
(making a crucial tackle on Mason) to sinner, when he needed Steer to come to his rescue after a misplaced back header handed Sigurdarson another opportunity.
Since Hudson returned from
suspension, Town have twice blanked their opponents.
But credit for that should also go to Joel Lynch, who both played well and avoided the 10th caution of the
campaign which would bring him a two-match ban, and full-backs
Husband and Tommy Smith.
