Huddersfield Town boss Lee Grant hails 'performance of real intensity and aggression' against Mansfield Town
Lee Grant lauded a Huddersfield Town performance “of real intensity and aggression” after the Terriers swept Mansfield Town aside.
By the time Will Evans struck for the Stags in 64th minute, the game was essentially done and dusted.
Huddersfield had been ruthless at the One Call Stadium, racing into a 3-0 lead within the opening 16 minutes.
Bojan Radulovic fired the Terriers into the lead before the advantage was extended by Dion Charles and Lasse Sorensen.
Lee Grant hails Huddersfield Town display
Grant said: “It was really nice to bookend the international break with an outstanding performance at home, and then to come away from home and really pick up where we left off.
“We told the players before the game they needed to maintain the momentum they had clawed back across the previous Mansfield and Plymouth fixtures. So I was delighted they hit the ground running and it was a devastating first half.
“Mansfield came out full of energy and caused us a few issues which we had to get to grips with. But we wrestled control of the half and it was a performance of real intensity and aggression.
“I think we now have seven games in 22 days and for the first time in a really long time I have the luxury of being able to leave out exceptional players.”
Mansfield Town ‘well-beaten’
Grant’s opposite number Nigel Clough admitted Mansfield were “well-beaten” on a tough afternoon for the hosts.
He said: “We were well-beaten, especially in the first half. I thought we started the game quite well. But for the second week running we conceded when down to 10 men with an injury – that is the worst rule in football, conceding goals when we have a man off injured through no fault of our own.
“Jamie McDonnell got smashed and had to go off for 45 seconds. It’s a ridiculous rule to be punished for having an injured player.
“For the next 10 minutes every time we gave the ball away cheaply, they were extremely clinical. Attacking-wise they were probably the best we have seen.
“If we’d have got one back earlier or got another after we scored, you never know. Second half I wanted us to show character, which I thought we did. But this is the reality of us playing against ex-Premier League sides in League One.”