Wagner looks ahead to this weekend’s match
- David Wagner previews game at Blackburn Rovers- Head Coach gives an update on injuries
- Wagner congratulates Under-21 side
Huddersfield Town Head Coach David Wagner says his players are totally focused on getting the win in this weekend’s Sky Bet Championship game at Blackburn Rovers.
The Terriers go into the game on the back of last Saturday’s 2-2 home draw with Hull City; another game that David believes his players took a lot from.
“We are learning every single day and in each game,” Wagner told htafc.com.
“We came back from one of our worst games of the season at Middlesbrough to put in a good performance against Hull City, both in offence and defence. I’ve said there is a gap between us and the top teams in the league, but in a single game we are able to get a result.
“In the future, we will work to get this gap closer and closer.”
David now believes the Terriers have to be wary of the threats that Saturday’s host Blackburn poses, whilst still concentrating on their performance.
“Saturday is a new game against a new opponent. Like always, the target is totally clear; we want to collect three points.
“We have a lot of respect for Blackburn. The team is very strong from set pieces and has a good home record. We have to be focused on ourselves, but we also have to know what they do well.
“We have to find the right spaces so we can ask them some questions that hopefully they cannot answer. We have to make sure we perform like we are able to; if we do that, we mostly get a result. That will mean they think more about our offence than we did about their defence!
“I have the feeling we are totally focused and desperate to get three points. We are professionals and we want to climb the table, earn our money and represent our Club. Hopefully we can get the result to make everyone happy.”
The Head Coach gave an update on the fitness of his players after Thursday’s training session at PPG Canalside.
“Kyle (Dempsey) is back in training and if nothing extraordinary happens tomorrow, he will be back in the squad as well.
“’Hoggy’ will need a couple of weeks until he is back, I think. He’s working with the Fitness Coach and is doing a part of the training with us as well. It is our target that he comes back and helps us in the last five games, but if not he will be totally prepared for the beginning of pre-season.
“There is a question mark over Jamie Paterson, who has some problems with his hamstrings.
“Everybody else is available.”
Among those available is last weekend’s Man of the Match Rajiv van La Parra and Wagner is challenging the Dutchman to reproduce his impressive performance against the Tigers.
“To be honest, I was a little bit surprised how long he was able to perform last Saturday. He’d had two training weeks with us and it didn’t seem that he would be able to for as long as he did. We’re trying to progress his fitness, as well as his idea of our game.
“The process of learning and developing will never stop, but he is on the way. He did a good performance and hopefully he can confirm it on Saturday.”
With James Husband now back at parent club Middlesbrough, Australian international Jason Davidson will get another chance at left back.
David explained: “Jason has the chance, as he has before. In my opinion, he did well in a few games and not as well as he is able to in others. Every player has good games and others where they are not as good.
“He will have another competitor (at left back) next season, but this is what I like to have in every position. This means everybody has to perform when they have the chance and concentrate in every training session. Nobody can take it easy, which is what we want.”
Wagner reserved his final words for Town’s Under-21 side, which was confirmed as the Professional Development League 2 North Champion with three games to spare on Thursday afternoon.
“It’s great news; congratulations and well done to Frankie (Bunn), his back room staff and the squad. They’ve had a great season.
“However, whether a player steps up in the future doesn’t depend on winning the title or not. He has to show his potential over a long period and convince Frankie first and then me; then he will get his chance.
“The player then has to take his chance, like Phil Billing did. Then they will get a warm welcome to the First Team.”
Town fans can pay on the day at Blackburn Rovers; click HERE for ticket info!
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