An away day to savour for David Wagner's men at the City Ground as Huddersfield Town snapped a four match losing streak in some style with a fine victory away at Nottingham Forest.

Here's five things we learned from the encounter...


Midfield energy the key to victory

Sky Bet Championship - Nottingham Forest v Huddersield Town - Philip Billing scores town's second goal.


Much has been said and written about Philip Billing's fantastic strike that secured all three points at the City Ground, but long before that goal went in the midfielder showed his qualities in the centre of the park.

Against a side packed full of experience and chasing the play-offs, the nous of Dean Whitehead had been suggested as the ideal figure, but instead David Wagner went for youth, partnering Billing alongside Jonathan Hogg.

LOOK: Did you make our fan gallery from Huddersfield Town's trip to Forest? Pictures here

He was rewarded in spades. Both turned in excellent displays and complemented each other, leading to a high energy performance that ensured the back four had extra protection from opposition attacks while many an interception led to a chance for Town's forward line.

It wasn't just Hogg and Billing that excelled in this way - Harry Bunn robbed the ball in an advanced position for Billing's goal - but they set the tone for the afternoon.

Forest were totally unprepared for Town's approach and looked shell-shocked for large parts of the opening 45 minutes.

Wagner taking longer and longer to make changes

Sky Bet Championship - Nottingham Forest (0) v Huddersfield Town (2) - David Wagner applauding the fans.


When David Wagner first took over at Town he was famed for making changes early, and in early December rarely got past half time without using his first substitution.

Against Forest he waited until the 88th minute, and at Preston the previous week it was the 67th minute when the first player made way.

Wagner said after the game he didn't want to change the style and personnel at the City Ground, and with the plan being executed so perfectly it was entirely understandable.

Nottingham Forest 0 Huddersfield Town 2 match report

But it is becoming a theme - against Cardiff he only made two subs from the three available and Bojaj only entered the fray on 87 minutes.

Is it a perceived lack of options? Or is it simply because the players have been schooled in his system and are now fit enough to carry out that philosophy over the whole 90 minutes? Yesterday's display would suggest the latter.

Lolley flourishing under Wagner's tutelage

Sky Bet Championship - Nottingham Forest (0) v Huddersfield Town (2) - Joe Lolley.


The improvement under David Wagner is certainly team-wide, but few illustrate his impact as well as Joe Lolley.

He was excellent against Forest, the latest in a string of positive displays under his new coach.

The manager has shown faith in the youngster, who left Birmingham City's Academy at the age of 16 and has fought his way back to the Championship after spells in non-league with Littleton and Kidderminster Harriers in the Conference.

Lolley is clearly responding to both the German's system and his man management. All three of his goals have come since December and the 23-year-old looks to be thoroughly enjoying his football. It's merely another piece of evidence for the excellent job Wagner is doing.

Personnel return signals a return of defensive solidity

Sky Bet Championship - Nottingham Forest (0) v Huddersfield Town (2) - Joel Lynch free kick.


Ahead of Saturday's kick off, Town's last clean sheet came against Charlton Athletic last month - which was also the last time they won prior to seeing off Dougie Freedman's men.

Wagner was quick to praise the team's effort as the best defensive performance since he took over, but it's perhaps no coincidence that it was the first time he was able to name many of his first choice names since the Addicks came to the John Smith's Stadium.

Mark Hudson's welcome return from suspension meant this was the first time that the skipper, Joel Lynch, Tommy Smith and the protecting influence of Jonathan Hogg had all been on the field together for longer than half an hour since the win against Charlton.

The good news for Wagner is that Joel Lynch again escaped without a booking meaning, barring any knocks this week, all should be available for the visit of Wolves next weekend.

Jed Steer proves his value to Town

Jed Steer joins Huddersfield Town on loan from Aston Villa
Jed Steer joins Huddersfield Town on loan from Aston Villa


Town were the superior side and thoroughly merited victory, but they had to weather a Forest storm in the 15 minutes after half time.

It was the home side's best spell of the game, and Steer had largely had a watching brief until that point with Forest's efforts flying high or wide of his goal.

However, his concentration was perfect and when Nelson Oliveira hammered a well-struck shot he pulled off a wonderful stop to divert the ball round the post.

It was a key moment - had Forest scored while they were in the ascendancy then many would have back them to get a result. As it was, they wilted shortly after that save and Town went on to claim a fantastic victory that sets up them up nicely for the next stage of the season.

Watch Regan Booty scoring the decisive kick for Huddersfield Town u21s v Charlton Athletic on February 8

Video Loading