Bermudian credits Town’s Head Coach after being named Player of the Year
- Nahki Wells on being crowned HTAFC's Player of the Year- Bermudian praises David Wagner & Mark Hudson
- Wells looks ahead to Saturday's game vs Brentford
Huddersfield Town’s newly crowned Player of the Year Nahki Wells hailed the impact Head Coach David Wagner has had on his game at the Club’s 2016 Annual Awards ceremony on Sunday night.
Nahki scooped three awards on the night; the Hargreaves Memorial Trophy as fans’ Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year and the Golden Boot accolade.
“Obviously, I’m very happy with the awards,” Nahki told htafc.com.
“I’ve only ever won the ‘Golden Boot’ award as an individual since I came in England; that’s four or five professional seasons. As a striker that is important, but to get the other two tonight means so much to me.
“It shows I’ve come on beyond just goals. I’ve tried to show character to lead from the front; to become the one to rely on.
“I can’t thank (David Wagner) enough, because I genuinely believe he has revitalised my career. He’s come in and I believed him when he said he could get a lot more from me. He’s brought that out of me, so credit to him, as well as the Chairman who backed me by bringing me in.”
51% of fans voted Nahki as their Player of the Year, to which he commented:
“I have to say I’m very happy with the Hargreaves Memorial award because at the end, the fans are everything. To be chosen by them means a lot. They’ve supported me through thick and thin, through all the ups and downs, consistently. To have given them what in my eyes has been a pretty good season has meant a lot to me. The Club deserves it and it’s what I was brought in to do.”
Nahki also thanked his teammates for his second award and was full of praise for Captain Mark Hudson, who finished a close runner-up.
“Players’ Player is always important to any footballer; to have the support from your teammates is greatly appreciated.
“It’s hard to explain just how vital the skipper has been to us. He’s played just as much as I have, which is not easy when you’ve already played 400 games and you’re 78 years old! In all seriousness, credit to him.
“He’s a fantastic guy and you couldn’t ask for any more from a captain. He pulls us together in the good times and bad. This club needs a man who can move it forwards and he’s a man who was won promotions. He’s been invaluable to our young players.”
The awards ceremony, which highlighted the impact German Head Coach Wagner has had since joining the Club in November, whetted the appetite for the next campaign – but Wells is still totally focused on Saturday’s season finale at home to Brentford!
“We’re not done with this season yet and you never know what could happen in any individual game. Hopefully we can put in a good performance against Brentford, get the win and I can get two or three! It’s important not to look too far ahead as we still want to finish on a high and put on a performance for the fans.”
Although keen not to build up expectations unreasonably, Nahki also asserted that it is important for the team and the players to aim high in 2016/17.
“Next year, I want to move this Club forward and get promoted. I don’t want to set the bar too high but if you don’t reach for those goals, you won’t get them.
“We’ll go into next season fully focused, probably with a slightly bigger squad because of some new additions. It’ll also be our first pre-season under the Head Coach.
“After Saturday, we will go and rest up and get ready for what will probably be the hardest pre-season of our lives! We are looking forward to it, though.”
Get your 2016/17 #WagnerRevolution Season Card online now for just £179 adults!
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