David looks ahead to Deepdale
- David Wagner previews Preston North End
- Head Coach says first goal could be key
- Wagner gives an update on injuries
Huddersfield Town Head Coach David Wagner wants his players to show they have learned from the mistakes they made last Saturday when they take on Preston North End at Deepdale.
Wagner’s side may have lost the last three games in all competitions, but the Head Coach is still feeling optimistic for the game against the Lilywhites.
“For us there is no extra pressure; just the same pressure we have before every game,” David told htafc.com.
“We want to win this game. Preston will be tough and has a very, organised, focused defence that it is not easy to create chances and score against, but we showed on Boxing Day that we are able to do this. We have to be fast, pass quickly, be confident on the ball and use all the spaces they offer us on the pitch.
“I watched them on Tuesday at Derby and we know exactly what to expect. Our target is to find our weapons to get another three points. It will be perfect if we are able to score the first goal as this will make life much easier, especially against Preston.
“We have spoken about, and analysed, our problems from the last game at home against Cardiff. Like I have said before, it is no problem to have a poor time if you are able to show the right reaction and this is our target on Saturday. We must show that we have learned from our last game.
“Everybody must feel a responsibility for our defence. It would be nice to get a clean sheet, as it makes the chance of getting a result a bigger possibility. We have been conceding at least two goals and that makes it much more difficult to win games.”
Wagner expects to be able to call upon deadline day loan signing Elvis Manu for the fixture after he has trained with the squad all week:
“I expect that he will travel with us to Preston. He was with us for the last few days and he is trying to learn the names and get information about our identity, our style and how we like to play. He has an advantage in that he watched our game when we played against Brighton ten days ago.
“I think we have to make sure that he knows exactly what we like to have from him. We have to make sure that he gets prepared; he is as fit as you can be if you’ve had eight appearances, most of them as a substitute.
“I’m happy we have another opportunity in our offence. He’s a very fast player who’s able to break lines and win a one-v-one. I’m very happy that he’s here for the next months.”
Another player available to Wagner is Jordy Hiwula and the Head Coach explained he will learn much more about the striker from training every day than he could from watching him in games on loan at Wigan.
“I have so many positive surprises in this squad in the last three months, from nearly all the players!
“I only saw them on video clips before I arrived here and now I have worked with them for three months, there have been so many positive surprises; in training and on the pitch. Hopefully Jordy can surprise us positively as well.”
On the injury front, David has welcomed Joe Lolley back from illness – but admitted he will be without Emyr Huws’ services in the short term.
“Joe has been with us for the last two days. He hasn’t worked with us on everything we have done, but he has done the biggest parts of training and I expect he will be with us in the squad on Saturday.
“Emyr is out for the game against Preston and probably for another four weeks. He has an injury on his ankle where he had an injury before. It is bad, but not that bad that he needs an operation.
“Sean Scannell is back on the grass with the physios and fitness coaches, but I think he will need another two weeks until he is back with the team. After that, it might take another two weeks until he is available.
“We still have a good group of 20 players who we can choose on Saturday.”
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