Huddersfield Town

Huddersfield Town manager Lee Grant was satisfied with his side's performance in the 1-0 win over Stevenage on Saturday.

The win lifted the Terriers to second in League One, just one point behind leaders Cardiff City after four wins from their opening five games.

Grant told BBC Radio Leeds he was pleased with how his side grew into the game.

"I really enjoyed the game," he said. "Probably enjoyed the second half a tad more, but definitely our most dominant game and the game we've had the most control in."

Town recorded their fourth clean sheet of the season, showing their defensive solidity alongside an unrelenting attack which produced 12 shots, six of which were on target. Grant was pleased his side improved in the second half and were able to find the winning goal.

"I thought the guys attacked the game really well but with more urgency in the second half," he added.

"I love the fact they can recognise there's another gear in there. Of course we got the goal and that comes from a good spell of pressure and starting the second half with more intensity."

Goalscorer Alfie May was the standout performer in the victory, proving his ability to focus and deliver under moments of intense pressure.

"[Stevenage] have a never-say-die attitude so there's always going to be another [defender] ready to block it on the line," Grant added. "Unfortunately for Alfie in that moment there was.

"But the presence of mind and the calmness to come onto the next [shot and score]. That's what he does so I'm delighted for Alfie."

May has two goals and an assist after starting all Huddersfield's league games this season and Grant hopes it's a solid foundation for the 32-year-old to build on through the course of this League One campaign.

"We're certain that there'll be many more opportunities for him over the course of the season," Grant said.

Listen to the full interview with Lee Grant and more on BBC Sounds

Huddersfield and Rotherham are weighing up approaches for free agent midfielder Adam Reach, 32, who had spells with West Brom and Wycombe last season. (SportsBoom, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's gossip column here.

Katherine Hannah
BBC Radio Leeds journalist

Huddersfield Town manager Lee Grant has been speaking to the media ahead of Saturday's trip to Blackpool in League One (15:00 BST).

Here are the main talking points:

• Despite a 100% record from three games so far this season (including an EFL Cup first-round victory on penalties over Championship side Leicester City), Grant is adamant no-one is getting carried away.

• "To have any meaningful success, we have to do it over a sustained period," he said.

• Dion Charles missed a penalty against Leicester, and is yet to score for Huddersfield in 21 outings since arriving in January from Bolton, but Grant is backing the striker to come good.

• "He's someone who's willing to work incredibly hard for the group. All forwards judge themselves on their goals and assists... but for me the first thing I'm looking at is the work and the collective effort, their contribution to the team. Not once in pre-season has Dion let me down on any of that."

• Marcus McGuane is back in training and close to being available for selection after a minor groin injury. Grant says the midfielder has been working hard on his fitness to catch up with the rest of the squad after arriving late in pre-season from Bristol City, and doesn't want to rush him back too soon.

• On facing winless Blackpool, Grant feels the Tangerines will give them a tough game despite their disappointing start to the season. He cited the experience of manager Steve Bruce and Blackpool's summer recruitment as reasons why this won't be an easy game if they want to extend their winning run.

Listen to the full pre-match interview with Grant and more on BBC Sounds.

After seeing his side twice come from behind before knocking Leicester out of the EFL Cup in the first round on penalties, Terriers boss Lee Grant spoke of his pride in his squad.

Grant made nine changes from the XI which beat Reading on Saturday but the hosts made a bright start against a side who played Premier League football last season and are tipped for an instant return this term.

Grant told BBC Radio Leeds: ""We set our stall out this season to try and have some special nights in the cup, the group have identified it as something they really want to go for this year, so that's what we did.

"I love the fact we can make nine changes, which is more than Leicester made, and there's no drop-off.

"It was just fantastic and I am really proud of the group and the work they are putting in."

Huddersfield Town manager Lee Grant has been speaking to the press before his side travels to Reading on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Here are the main talking points:

• Full-back Sean Roughan is back in training and has completed a full session after being forced off in the opening 25 minutes against Leyton Orient.

• New signings Marcus McGuane, Leo Castledine and Murray Wallace, who didn't feature in the win over Leyton Orient, are slightly behind schedule in terms of getting up to speed with the rest of the group - Grant says he is taking his time to make sure they are up to speed before throwing them and says that is a really important factor for his management.

• On Ruben Roosken, who signed a new deal on Monday, he says it was really important to get him tied down and gives both the player and club clarity over their future. He also says it's, "Nice to have him committed and playing for his shirt." On a personal note, Grant was delighted for him.

• Although Roosken came into the club as a full-back, Grant now sees the wing as his main position and has made that clear to the player.

• There were lots of bits he liked against Leyton Orient, but has also been working on things he didn't like during the week and says, "We are not going to be the finished article after week one."

• Describes owner Kevin Nagle as "great" to work for, who is desperate to help, and says it shows the same level of commitment as he has.

• Despite Reading losing (2-0 versus Lincoln) on the opening day, he feels the Royals are full of energy, enthusiasm and bravery and will pose his side a tough test.

• Looking forward to a difficult test he says, the beauty of League One is that there is a lot of contrast in terms of tests, stadia and fanbases.

Listen to Lee's full pre-match press conference and more on BBC Sounds.

A public celebration of former Wales, Liverpool, Chelsea, Huddersfield Town and Wrexham defender Joey Jones is to be held later this month.

Jones, who won 72 caps for his country and was the first Welshman to win the European Cup, died aged 70 in July.

The celebration of Jones' life will be held in The Macron Stand of the Stok Cae Ras on Wednesday, 20 August at 12.30 BST.

Entry for the event is free but tickets will need to be booked online and presented on the gates.

A strictly private committal service, with attendance by invitation only, will be held separately.

Newly appointed club captain Ryan Ledson believes the upcoming League One season will be a fresh start for Huddersfield Town.

With new manager Lee Grant at the helm and a host of signings during the summer transfer window, Ledson believes the Terriers are now "a team that wants to win, a team that wants to fight."

"The club's been signing not just good players but good characters as well," he told BBC Radio Leeds.

Ledson already boasts a wealth of experience having led England at youth level, before captaining previous club Preston North End on nine occasions. But the 27-year-old understands he has big boots to fill after taking over from previous club captain Jonathan Hogg.

"Everyone speaks so highly of [Hogg] around the place and so they should as well because he was a brilliant captain for this football club, so hopefully I can follow in his footsteps."

Huddersfield Town host Leyton Orient on Saturday in their League One opener and Ledson says the squad is well equipped to make a strong start.

"The training's been intense, staff have been really good, attention to detail's been really good, so hopefully we can make that count on Saturday."

Listen to the full interview with Ryan Ledson and more on BBC Sounds.

Katherine Hannah
BBC Radio Leeds journalist

Huddersfield Town manager Lee Grant has been speaking to the media ahead of his first competitive game in charge this weekend. The Terriers host Leyton Orient at the Accu Stadium on Saturday at 15:00 BST.

Here are some of the key lines:

• The club have brought in 11 new signings so far and Grant says should the window close tomorrow he'd be happy his squad as it stands - and that he feels it is capable of challenging at the top of League One.

• However, he says there is always scope for additional signings if the right player became available.

• Midfielder Antony Evans has picked up a knee injury in pre-season and will be out for the opening six to eight weeks of the League One season. Otherwise, Grant hopes to have a full squad to choose from for their opening game.

• Asked how he views the competition in League One this season, with Birmingham and Wrexham having been promoted to the Championship, Grant said he doesn't expect the league to be any easier.

• Grant said: "I think Luton, Plymouth, Cardiff, Blackpool, Barnsley and a number of other teams will all have something to say. It's going to be super competitive this year."

• On being among the favourites for automatic promotion, Grant says they have to embrace that challenge. "If people want to give us that moniker then wonderful, but we certainly have to earn it."

• On taking to the dugout for the first time as manager, Grant says he expects to feel hugely proud and that he's excited for the fans to see what the team have been working on over the course of pre-season.

Listen to Lee Grant's full pre-match press conference and more on BBC Sounds.