Huddersfield 4 Blackpool 2: Powell looking for Holt to stick around at Town

Huddersfield Town's Grant Holt. Picture: Simon Hulme

Holt, on loan from Championship rivals Wigan, scored the opening goal against the struggling Tangerines as Huddersfield went 3-0 up after 16 minutes thanks also to a quick-fire double from Harry Bunn.

Tony McMahon and Donervon Daniels struck back for Blackpool to make things nervy at the John Smith’s Stadium before Jacob Butterfield made sure of the win for the Terriers.

Since Holt’s arrival in West Yorkshire, Town have recorded three wins and a draw and the former Norwich man’s contribution has not gone unnoticed by Powell.

“He has certainly made an impact,” he said. “He is doing exactly what I wanted him to do. He is enjoying his football and training well and he has certainly made an impact for the team, squad and supporters.”

Holt is midway through his loan spell but Powell added: “I hope something could be organised and sorted out. He is a focal point for the team and long may it continue.”

Powell was understandably left purring by his side’s display in the opening half an hour, before two Blackpool sucker punches on the stroke of half-time brought the visitors back into the equation.

“I thought the first 35 minutes were the best we have played all season.

“We were outstanding and it could have been four or five,” Powell said. “We just switched off towards the end of the half and my team talk changed.”

The Huddersfield boss reserved special praise for Bunn and Sean Scannell, who created the former’s goals, and said: “I am driving them forward and challenging them in training. I want to get the best out of them.

“If Sean keeps playing like that he will be the first name on the team sheet.”

Blackpool manager Jose Riga said he always knew this game would be tough after securing their first win of the season against Cardiff.

“Sometimes you get into the wrong mindset and are over-confident,” he said. “In the Championship it is never done.”

Huddersfield Town: Smithies, Smith, Hudson, Lynch, Robinson, Hogg, Coady, Butterfield, Scannell, Holt (Ward 83), Bunn (Paterson 86). Unused substitutes: Murphy, Wallace, Wells, Peltier, Majewski.

Blackpool: Lewis, McMahon, Daniels, Clarke, Dielna (Rentmeister 16), Mendy (Mellis 80), Perkins, Lundstram, Oriol (Zoko 65), Delfouneso, Miller. Unused substitutes: Blackman, Cywka, Orlandi, Parish.

Referee: Darren Bond (Lancashire).

Man of the match: Grant Holt

“People were surprised in the week when I said this would be our most difficult game after the win.

“Sometimes it happens that you think in your mind it is done, but in the Championship it is never done.”

Riga said his team “went missing” for the first time this season but added: “I still trust my players.

“I will not speak about my players when they don’t get a result. I don’t want to be hard on them. I am very proud of what they have done already.”

Riga said people forget that his players were not able to have a pre-season together and he still hopes to bolster the squad further.

“I have three loan players and I hope for more. The squad has to be helped. When you look at the experience of the players you can see we need more. I hope we can do that.”

ends

Referee: Darren Bond (Lancashire).

Man of the match: Grant Holt