Terrier on the Terraces: Victory is a tonic

After a first half where the performance was dogged but hardly sparkling, Town produced a good performance in the second period to take the points through Nahki Wells’ well-placed penalty. In truth, Town deserved the win against a Millwall side who only offered sporadic threat.

Another positive is that Town were able to bring a striker with some power and presence off the bench. Grant Holt’s arrival on loan from Wigan almost came too late for him to play against Millwall, but he was available to play and played his part in bullying the central defenders. His bustling cameo is probably as much of a fillip as the result; Town have sorely lacked a focal point in attack with the kind of presence that Holt brings.

Also encouraging was Chris Powell’s use of substitutions. After starting with seven defensive players, the team became gradually more attacking. Lee Peltier’s injury meant he - playing in a back three - gave way to Holt, a striker, in a shift of system to 4-4-2. The impressive Jonathan Hogg’s departure for Sean Scannell with ten minutes to play also helped Town keep the initiative, and, most importantly, the ball in Millwall’s half.

Scannell’s cameo was equally as impressive as Holt’s. His role in providing an outlet with pace and trickery helped keep the ball in Millwall’s half. And he even managed to make a crunching tackle at a key time as he carried out his defensive duties.

With tough games before the international break, a win in the final home game before the breather was vital to push Town away from danger. That it came with a good performance should give everyone confidence.