A Pleasing Christmas For Wagner

Huddersfield secured four-points from a possible six over the festive period with a win against Preston followed up by a draw at QPR on Monday, not that David Wagner was entirely pleased but overall from the two-matches (based on what he’s said) it was a ‘pleasing’ Christmas for him.

On Boxing Day Town beat Preston three-one at the John Smith’s Stadium, in what was his first Boxing Day game with him saying he ‘enjoyed it’ then again, as he also said, you’ll enjoy any day when you win!

However, when speaking to the Official Website, he conceded he wasn’t best pleased with the first half.

‘To be honest, our first half wasn’t the best we have played. I know that the weather conditions were very difficult, especially for the team playing against the wind as we did in the first half. Maybe this was one reason, but it isn’t an excuse for me because we didn’t play on the pitch like we normally do and we didn’t show our usual reaction pressure. The game was a little bit slow and boring; not what I expected. We still scored a very good goal, but the opponent had two good chances.’

In the second half he thought there was a ‘reaction’ and having the wind at our backs ‘made it easier’ he also went on to praise the defensive performance with captain Mark Hudson singled out for special praise.

‘It was never in my mind that Mark Hudson would not start today, if he was fit. That was a question this week, as he missed two days because of his ankle. He was with us since Thursday. I didn’t see a big problem in his position against Brentford. The team performed very badly in the first half, which wasn’t down to one individual; as a team, we did not bring to the pitch what we expected from ourselves. For us, ‘Huddy’ is a very important man. He is important in the dressing room and, more importantly, on the pitch. You can be sure you will get consistency from him.’

Wagner wasn’t impressed that another game was expected just a couple of days later, also commenting ahead of the QPR trip.

‘To be honest, I think this is crazy; unbelievable. I know it is normal in England and I respect English football culture, but from the Sports Science and health side it is dangerous and crazy to play two games in three days.’

That game was one he said he was ‘proud’ with how his players performed in, recovering from falling a goal behind with only 10-minutes to play to secure a point at Loftus Road in the one-one draw thanks to another Nahki Well goal following his brace against Preston.

Wagner, again talking to the Official Website, felt that a point was the least Huddersfield deserved with the gameplan working well.

‘After the game, I can say that a point was the minimum we had to get for our performance. In my opinion the first half was very good from our side; we had good concentration, confidence and our passing was good. We kept the opponent away from our goal and tried to play on the pitch, trying to create chances. We tried to defend a little bit deeper today, as we liked to give ourselves space for the transition. I thought our idea was very good, as the opponent didn’t have once chance. That is very good from our side.’

The Head Coach wasn’t happy with all aspects, as we know, following the home win over Preston but he couldn’t have asked for much more than he got from his side at QPR as another point was collected.

He added.

‘I’m very happy and satisfied with our performance. To play like we did today in this atmosphere at QPR isn’t normal, so big compliments to the squad. I’m happy that after a win, we have got another result. In the past we have not done this, so it was very important we showed everyone we could points after win – even if it’s only one like today.’

The response to the late Sebastian Polter goal, which might have been avoided, ‘was great’ but then again as he said ‘it was the reaction I expected from them’

With Jed Steer returning to Aston Villa after the Preston win Wagner brought Joe Murphy back into the side with Wagner adding this of the performance the ‘keeper gave.

‘This was one key situation that went in our direction; a very important save in the moment. This is his job and why he is in the goal – to save shots – but that was not easy and I’m very happy Joe is back.’

After a successful (and four-points from games against Preston and QPR is definitely something that can be classed as successful) Christmas attention now turns to starting the New Year the same was as the last ended….Positively!

Wagner, regarding his own New Years Eve plans, said he had ‘no idea’ what he would do and his Happy Christmas would turn into a Happy New Year with something at Bolton on Saturday. He finished by saying.

‘I have no idea! I don’t have time at the moment to think about where I will celebrate. We will train on 1 January before travelling to Bolton and preparing in the hotel. I had a Happy Christmas with four points from two games, but it will only be a Happy New Year for me if we get some points in Bolton.’



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