Huddersfield boss pays tribute to Grant Holt after win at Wolves
Boss Chris Powell insists Grant Holt is desperate to prove he can still be a force after the striker inspired impressive Huddersfield to victory at Wolves.
The on-loan Wigan hitman caused chaos in the Molineux defence on his full debut, grabbing two assists in the Terriers' 3-1 win.
Holt teed up Harry Bunn for the opener and his flick fell for Sean Scannell to net before Conor Coady's wonderful 30-yard effort.
Holt, 33, fell out of favour with Wigan boss Uwe Rosler and struggled with injuries after joining in 2013.
He was loaned to Aston Villa last season and Powell believes he still has what it takes.
"He has a burning desire to show he is a footballer who played in the Premier League and should be playing at Championship level at least," he said.
"I know the character and spoke to people about him and it was a no-brainer for me.
"Apart from his spell at Wigan he's been exceptional. I looked at him and what he could do and all he needs is a goal now.
"I spoke to him when I was allowed to and told him to show people what he's about. He may not be having the time of his life at Wigan but he can come here and lead from the front. He won't be wearing the armband but he's a leader."
Holt replaced Nahki Wells after the striker was benched, despite his two goals earning Huddersfield a 2-1 win over Millwall on Saturday, and Powell insisted he was not dropped.
"Nahki scored two goals to earn us the win but I looked at Wolves and thought it was the right way to go," he said.
"It's tactics, it's what I'm paid to do. It's a big call, we live and die by our calls and it was the right one."
Victory lifted Huddersfield up to 18th in the Sky Bet Championship and denied Wolves the chance to go top, along with inflicting their first home league defeat since December 2013.
Bakary Sako pulled a goal back late in the second half but head coach Kenny Jackett admitted they were stunned after falling 2-0 behind.
"We started very well, had chances and looked in control. But I was disappointed with our response to those goals, whether we deserved to be behind or not," said Jackett, who also lost Lee Evans to a hamstring injury.
"Our attitude and body language looked shellshocked. We didn't keep playing the same way and it knocked us too much. I am looking for a better reaction. It took us too long."