Chris Powell hailed former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Sean Scannell's "rich vein of form" after the winger inspired Huddersfield's 2-1 victory over high-flying Brentford on Saturday.
Scannell scored one and had a hand in the other as Town ended Brentford's five-match winning run.
The 24-year-old wideman, making his 100th appearance, put Huddersfield in front in the 18th minute with his second goal of the season when he slammed home Nahki Wells' centre.
Huddersfield got what proved to be the winner three minutes after the break when a diving Scannell forced defender Jake Bidwell to turn Jack Robinson's cross into his own net.
Brentford, who missed a number of chances, pulled one back on 70 minutes when another Irishman, Jonathan Douglas, finished off a well-worked move.
But, despite late pressure, the home side held out, leaving Powell to reveal that Scannell almost missed out.
"He has had a dead leg and didn't train until Thursday so it was touch and go," said Powell.
"He is in a real rich vein of form right now. He's a flying machine.
"People said to me when I came here he doesn't score goals and doesn't make assists but he has proved what a good player he is. He can be a matchwinner at this level."
When he came in as manager at the end of August, Powell put a block on Scannell's proposed deadline-day switch to Millwall.
The manager said that decision now looks a smart one: "He is proving I was right to keep him here."
