Liam Manning's verdict on Huddersfield Town's players a month into his job - and where he wants improvements

It remains an ongoing learning progress and that has been reflected in the club's league results so far by virtue of three wins, a draw and two losses.

Manning has been satisfied by his team's work-rate, spirit and attitude and in that regard he feels he has a building block.

Where he has seen deficiencies is in his players' decision-making on the pitch and how they use the football at times. He wants them to be bolder and certainly smarter.

The Town head coach, whose side did not post an effort on target in single-goal losses at Doncaster Rovers and Stevenage, said: "It's different stages in the game in terms of what you start like to then when it settles.

"What do you do when they are on top. How do you manage it when we are on top? When do you speed it up and when do you slow it down.When do you play long and short? There's so many factors within such a random sport.

"It's how you make those decisions and stay aligned as a group in all areas of the game.

"The 'no regrets' piece is work as hard as you can, which I think the lads are doing and then it's being as brave as you can (be)."

Town face a second league derby this week at home to Barnsley on Saturday, another club who have had their issues this season in a pretty mixed and inconsistent campaign.

Manning said: "Quite a few (others) have. A few other teams, just above us now up to Christmas. We're having a tough time as well, having followed it, obviously, from the outside (before).

"Again, for me that reinforces time and consistency of message which becomes quite key.

"It's the first job for Conor |(Hourihane) and he's done extremely well as it's not easy transitioning sometimes from player to head coach.

"They play some really good stuff and have got real threat and real clear way of playing that we have to disrupt and make it difficult for them on Saturday."