Chris Powell's reign as Huddersfield Town manager is still only two months old, but he has already experienced a roller-coaster ride from a results perspective upon his return to management.

The Terriers picked up just one point from his first three games in charge, with a 3-0 defeat in the West Yorkshire derby at Leeds United perhaps the nadir of the season so far, casting a huge cloud over Powell more or less from the beginning.

But he has recovered admirably to help launch a seven-match unbeaten run and lift Town up the Championship table in swift fashion, with an attacking playing style helping to garner plenty of plaudits.

But how well has he fared overall?

Prior to the trip to Fulham last week, Powell graded himself a B+ for his time in charge to date so we asked Examiner Sports Editor Mel Booth, Town writer Doug Thomson and online sports writer Tom Marshall-Bailey to offer their marks for the former Charlton Athletic man.

And here they are - let us know your views by completing our poll below.

Mel Booth - Examiner Sports Editor (A)

I have no hesitation in giving Chris Powell an 'A' for his work so far.

It would have been an A-plus had Town been able to pick up points against either Derby or Fulham.

Firstly, Powell has breathed confidence and belief into the squad at PPG Canalside and that is being carried over into performances.

He is clearly bringing the best out of a lot of players and, bearing in mind Town are competing against a high level of opposition week in and week out -  many still getting Premier League parachute payments which guarantee the strength of their squads - he has provided hope Town can avoid the late-season struggle to avoid relegation which has been a feature of the last two campaigns.

Secondly, the signing of Grant Holt was an inspired one and, while I'm sure Powell would credit other members of the backroom staff in playing their part to get the 33-year-old here, it's the manager's reputation in the game which would have played a big part.

Yes, Dean Hoyle and the board have pushed the boat out from a financial point of view, but Holt will have known all about Powell and the fact he's agreed to stay until December 28 just underlines the fact.

And, for the record, you can bet there is no chance on earth Diego Poyet would be playing for Town right now  were it not for Powell, his old boss at Charlton where, after just half a season, the 19-year-old was named Player of the Year.

The seven-match unbeaten run which came before the defeats to Derby and Fulham illustrated not only fighting spirit but a willingness to adapt by the manager which suggests Town will rarely be played out of matches.

His tactics at Ipswich, for example, were spot on and, when Town unluckily found themselves two down, he switched tactics, shape and personnel to dramatic effect, being rewarded with a 2-2 draw.

The 3-0 home win over Nottingham Forest which followed has been described by plenty of supporters as the best they've seen in a long while from Town, and that's highly encouraging when Powell is just at the outset of his reign at the club.

He has already indicated he would like to strengthen further, either through further loans or in the January window, and he's clearly a man who knows his own mind when it comes to the targets on his list.

Add into the mix his already excellent relationship with the fans, who appreciate his down-to-earth and honest appraisals of performances, and his media-friendly approach to the job, and you've got a potent recipe for continued improvement.

Definitely an 'A' from me at this point, and it will quickly become an A-plus if he can establish Town in the top half of the table.

Huddersfield Town in 2014/2015 before Chris Powell

5

Games

6

Goals scored

13

Goals conceded

0

Clean sheets

4

Points

Doug Thomson - Huddersfield Town writer (B)

It's a 'B 'for me – with solid foundations in place but work still to be done.

Chris Powell is pushing for an A in terms of his man-management, his flexibility when it comes to team selection and tactics and the way he has got the fans on his side.

But as we are always being reminded, it’s a results driven business.

And so far they are mixed, with four wins, four draws and four defeats.

Powell has led Town up the table, and his recruitment of Grant Holt was a masterstroke.

Hopefully Diego Poyet will have the same kind of influence.

Town have been scoring goals, but they’ve also been conceding too many.

In three of those four defeats, three goals were given away.

That lessened hopes of pinching a point and worsened Town’s goal difference, which could be a crucial statistic come the end of the campaign.

There are reasons to be cheerful – but there is still a long way to go this season, and the January transfer window could prove vital.

Huddersfield Town in 2014/2015 with Chris Powell

12

Games

19

Goals scored

18

Goals conceded

3

Clean sheets

16

Points

 

Tom Marshall-Bailey - Online sports writer (A-)

I'll go straight down the middle with an 'A-', because while there is certainly room for improvement, the transformative effect he has had on the players has been instrumental in a turnaround few would have forecast at the start of the season.

Powell has come in and got down to business from the get-go and has been rewarded with a reaction since that Leeds defeat which has seen the players come together and work for one another in matches.

After the first three games, fans could have been forgiven for feeling fearful, particularly after a pitiful showing at Elland Road, but it has arguably been the making of this team and they look a more confident outfit for the obstacles they have had to overcome.

The seven-match unbeaten run - Town's longest since returning to the second tier - was built on a resolute defensive foundation, as well as featuring an attacking flair which helped to blow the likes of Blackpool and Nottingham Forest away.

The signing of Grant Holt was the catalyst behind it all and his pugnacious presence at the apex of the side has made Town a tougher team to beat as it permeates throughout the rest of the team.

Progress has been checked after successive defeats though and Town will now be left itching for the Yorkshire derby Sheffield Wednesday to arrive sooner rather than later to right their defensive wrongs.

That remains the major gripe for Town fans and is the reason I am reluctant to commit to an A as Powell must find the balance between defence and attack soon, but the hope is that loan signing Diego Poyet can help to remedy that.

His reputation for toying with the starting lineup has often been to Town's benefit and the way he switched things around at Ipswich when the chips were down epitomises a manager who is comfortable with the tools at his disposal and possesses tactical nous.

But it has occasionally been to their hindrance too, and as the 4-4-2 at Derby County gave away too much midfield space, the 4-5-1 at Fulham sacrificed on attacking quality.

Nahki Wells and Jonathan Hogg appear to be the chief duo he will alternate between and you still get the impression that he is still to truly put his mark down on this Town side.

The signing of Poyet could put the wheels in motion in that regard, and I would not rule out further signings being made in the near future.

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How would you grade Chris Powell's start at Huddersfield Town?