David looking for a positive reaction
- David Wagner reviews Cardiff City defeat
- HTAFC Head Coach laments mistakes
- Wagner looking for his side to react & learn
Huddersfield Town Head Coach David Wagner says his side must show the correct reaction after today’s 3-2 Sky Bet Championship defeat to Cardiff City at the John Smith’s Stadium.
“If you concede three goals at home it is not easy to win. Today, we made too many mistakes in defence. Equally if you score two at home, you have to get more than nothing,” David told htafc.com post-match.
“It was the tough game we expected against a good Cardiff team.
“The first half, in my opinion, wasn’t so good from our side. It was a very tactical game from both sides. We were not able to keep the ball and bring our game to the pitch.
“The second half was much better; we created some very good opportunities; two for Nahki and one for Harry Bunn as well. Nahki’s first chance inside a minute got blocked as he needed too much time, then Harry’s chance came again. Nahki had the next big chance with a good volley.
“There was also a big decision over a penalty when a player from Cardiff got the ball on his hand. I have watched the clip on video and I have to say it was a clear handball. That 15 minutes was the best part of the game for me as we were able to go in front – but we didn’t.”
The Terriers were punished for making mistakes in possession in the defensive third by the Bluebirds, as David explained:
“For their second goal we lost the ball too easily in our half and they scored. Harry lost the ball and this is a very easy situation to make better next time; we just have to protect the ball by getting the body between the opponent and the ball. Maybe Harry wasn’t so sure he was under so much pressure in this situation.
“Cardiff’s third goal was a great strike. After that it was very difficult for us to come back in the game. It is positive that the lads continued to try and do something and got the second goal in overtime, but at the end Cardiff was very strong, focussed and concentrated.
“Mistakes happen; what is important is the reaction. After the second, Harry showed the right reaction and got his goal in overtime.
“We will not change our game because of this; we’re creating too many good situations in every game. We just need to make sure we make fewer mistakes in the future so we are able to win.”
Wagner was happy with the full debut of Algerian international Karim Matmour, who started with Joe Lolley absent through illness.
“He was good. I think we saw after 75 minutes that he lost a little bit of his power, but until that moment he gave our game a positive influence. He created some good moments and was able to show he can help us for the rest of the season.”
The Head Coach also commented on Kyle Dempsey’s performance at right back:
“I think he was OK. He showed us again that he is a great backup for Tommy Smith. He had some good moments in this time and with more game-time in this position, he will develop.”
Now David is looking for the correct reaction when the Terriers travel to Preston North End next weekend.
“We have to accept this defeat and move forward. We will try to make it better away next Saturday.
“It is totally OK for everyone to be disappointed today; we must keep that feeling with us and show the reaction. We will prepare and look at which players are available from tomorrow morning at 10 o’clock.”
David finished with a comment on the transfer window, which shuts at 11pm on Monday night:
“We are working, of course, but what I have said before hasn’t changed. What we expect to do doesn’t depend on today’s result; it depends on what is the best for us in the longer term. Hopefully we will find somebody who can help us in the future.
“If Monday passes and we have no new players, I will not be disappointed as it will have been my decision!
“In the short term, it is more important that we get Joe Lolley back from illness and Tommy Smith from suspension next week. Hopefully Huddy, Ishmael and ‘Scanz’ will be back in a few weeks too.”
