Lee Grant hails Huddersfield ‘intent’ after win over Exeter

Huddersfield manager Lee Grant praised his side’s “aggression” as they claimed a 1-0 win at Exeter in League One.

On-loan Chelsea midfielder Leo Castledine scored the only goal of the game after 28 minutes – and it was a strike of real quality as he cut in from the left wing and curled a delightful effort into the far top corner from the edge of the penalty area.

“The feeling inside the changing room is that it really could have been more,” Grant said.

“Anything other than a clean sheet and a win was unthinkable, but the way we played and the way we went after that game was superb.

“We spoke a lot about that this week – and extensively this morning – and for me, the most pleasing aspect was the intent from the team.

“We dominated the game, controlled the game and created chances. We would love to have scored more goals to reflect the level of control and domination, but a victory and a clean sheet – we are obviously pleased.

“There have been moments over the last seven or eight league games where we have wanted to see the most aggressive version of ourselves.

“We have tended to see that later in games, but what we saw today was a performance of much more aggression and, in terms of scoreline, it perhaps didn’t reflect it with the level of intent, the chances we created, the xG – the big moments are all there.

“We are delighted to put to bed some of that noise which was perhaps warranted because it was something we wanted to put right and we did that today, so full credit to them.”

Exeter had chances of their own as well, with Josh Magennis missing a glorious opportunity to put them in front, but they lacked a cutting edge.

Manager Gary Caldwell said: “It was a huge effort from the players and from the start of the game I thought we played aggressively in and out of possession and we should have scored in that period.

“When we didn’t, they scored a wonder goal and in the second half I thought we were the team pushing and they played on the counter-attack, but we have to look after the ball. I like a lot of what we did today.

“You would expect Josh to score, but I am not going to criticise individual actions because the game is full of them. It was a great first touch, but he couldn’t find the finish.

“We went toe-to-toe with a very big football club today and the way the players went about it, the way we were on the front foot – if we can play like that every week, then I am sure we will win more games.

“They gave me everything and I couldn’t ask for more.”