David reviews the stalemate against the Cottagers
- David Wagner reviews draw with Fulham
- Head Coach believes the result was correct
- David reviews James Husband's first Town start
Head Coach David Wagner believes today’s 1-1 score-line between his Huddersfield Town side and visitors Fulham at the John Smith’s Stadium was the correct reflection of the game.
“I think the result at the end of the game is fair,” David told htafc.com.
“Our first half wasn’t our best; we had some problems against Fulham, who have a style that is not easy to play against. We know this, because it is ours! Fulham was a good opponent with a good game-plan against us. It was a very tight game and in every second something could happen against us.
“We didn’t do the right things in the first half, so we spoke at half time and showed them some clips of what we have to do – as we did in the morning as well. It was clear to us that this would be a totally different game than Tuesday and we were prepared to do something different against Fulham.
“I think they did it better in the second half; Fulham only had a header and we had some good chances where we were able to score a second goal. However, if you come into the game and have a bad moment, like we did, it was OK that the lads kept their heads up and tried to get more.
“We hoped before the game to get three points – this was our target – but we have to take the point today after that game. We’re now six games unbeaten, which is good.
“Today I’m not unhappy with the result and I’m happy with the work.”
David believes his side must learn to perform better against sides that echo the ‘Gegenpressing’ style Town has adopted:
“In my 12 Championship games, this was the second time we have played against a Club that plays this style; only Brentford played a similar style before. We have to learn how to play against an opponent like this, because we needed 45 minutes to find the key to playing against it both times. Today it was better than in Brentford because we were drawing 1-1 at half time.
“If two times with such a style play against each other it can look confusing, as there are not too many opportunities to create chances with a lot of passing. If you create chances they come after a long ball, which you have to play under such high pressure. It is not clever to play under pressure if you know your opponent will bring it.
“We did this better in the second half. There were a lot of one-on-one situations where you had to fight for the ball.
“I enjoyed this game today from the tactical side but as a supporter who might like to see a nice, technical game with a lot of possession, it wasn’t possible for both teams.”
Wagner opted to rest Jason Davidson and give James Husband a full debut for the Club.
“I think he did OK; it was nothing special, either positively or negatively. For his first start, it was OK,” David explained.
“He has to learn our idea of football, but in the end he’s helped us as it gives us a chance to give Jason Davidson the time to rest and he will now be fresh on Tuesday.
“This is exactly what we need; the chance to give everybody the time to rest and be fresh. It is important that we keep everyone healthy and this is why we use the idea of rotation.”
Davidson was one of two omissions from the side that started in midweek, with Joel Lynch also getting a break.
David continued: “I think it is always important that my players are as fit and healthy as they can be. Joel Lynch could play six games in a row but then be out for six weeks, but I need him OK to play for the season and that is why he will be substitute in five or six games before the summer.
“We must now recover as well as we can for another competition on Tuesday, where we can be successful as well.”
