David looks ahead to Saturday's game
- David Wagner previews Wolves game
- Head Coach looking for his side to continue from Forest game
- Wagner gives an update on injuries
Huddersfield Town Head Coach David Wagner is looking for more of the same from his players when Wolverhampton Wanderers visits the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday.
The Terriers come into the weekend tie on the back of a great performance and result at Nottingham Forest last weekend and David wants his side to continue to focus on its performance.
“We don’t have to change. We will do exactly the same as we did in the past; [we will be] focused on ourselves and try to hurt our opponent in the right moments.
“We now have this opportunity for back-to-back wins. If we are able to find our identity again very quickly, I think we have a chance to be uncomfortable for Wolverhampton and we can beat them.
“We know that if we’re able to bring our identity [and] our quality from the first second until the last second in this game, then we’re able to score, defend well and get a result. If we are consistent with our performance, then we will get a result.”
In particular, David wants to see the players maintain the collective responsibility in defending they showed at the City Ground on Saturday.
“I like to analyse the goals we concede. I will not accept goals after our own set pieces and counter-attacks, so we have to make that better. I think we are good at defending set-pieces, but we can be better.
“We have to feel that everybody on the field and in the stadium feels responsible for our defence. When we are together in defence, we are always able to create some good moments in our offence. This is what we have shown in the past and have to make sure that it isn’t nice to play against us.
“We have to make sure we play our game without easy individual mistakes. If we are able to play the game without these we have the identity and plan, as we have shown. This is what we were against Nottingham, for example. With this experience we get better, we show a higher level of concentration and focus in each single situation.
“With these two points - and the referee making good decisions in the right moments - I’m sure we’re always able to get a result! Of course, you always need luck in some situations.”
As always Wagner – who has Jamie Paterson available for selection once again after he was ineligible to face parent club Nottingham Forest – says he will wait to select his team until he has seen the side train for the rest of the week.
He continued: “We have training today and tomorrow, so I haven’t made the final decision.
“If I change the team, it won’t be because of the game last weekend. If I change the team it depends on our upcoming opponent and which team is best to start against them, plus which bench is strong enough to help us.
“We have three games in a week coming up, but our first game is Wolverhampton Wanderers and our full focus is on this.
On Town’s injured players, David explained:
“Ishmael (Miller) has been back in training since yesterday.
“Both Huws and Scannell are making progress, but neither will be available in the next three games. It looks like one maybe both could work with the team in the next 14 days.”
On Saturday’s opponent Wolves, David commented:
“I think we are a little bit better prepared with Wolverhampton because we have (Head of Football Operations) Stuart Webber, who’s an absolute insider on Wolverhampton! We are perfectly prepared for this opponent. We have all the information we need, but my main focus is always on my squad.
Kenny Jackett’s side may arrive in West Yorkshire on the back of five Sky Bet Championship games without a win, but David explained that he pays no interest in that form:
“We’ve learned that we don’t have to look at statistics, especially with the results of our opponents. When we played against Nottingham they were unbeaten for 13 games, so I am totally uninterested in what they did before.
“We have to make sure that we beat them. They will have a strong starting eleven and we will have to be at our maximum.”
Ideally, the Head Coach wants to use the Forest win to go on another run of positive results, but he repeated that the level of performance is ultimately what he judges his side on.
“It’s always easier in the professional football life if you get results. It feels like the sun shines always if you do!
“If we lose a game and I know why, then I have a big problem. If we win a game and I don’t know why, then I have a bigger problem! What we have to make sure is that we always know why we get a result and in this moment. If we know why we get a result, then everything is okay. When we get a positive result, we always know exactly why.
“On Saturday, we have to make sure we get the positive result, get the three points and know why as well. Hopefully it’s because we brought our identity on the pitch.”
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