Huddersfield Town

- David Wagner reviews defeat at Derby County

- Head Coach thought his side 'tried everything'

- Wagner looks ahead to Tuesday night's game

The Terriers fell to a goal in each half against the promotion-chasing Rams, but the level of performance was good and Wagner saw his side create several chances without being able to capitalise. 

“Today I have no complaints with the boys; I thought they tried everything. They worked unbelievably hard and created good chances against a very good opponent. It was a good game,” David told htafc.com.

“We started both halves well. After three minutes Harry Bunn had a shot blocked on the line and in the second half Jamie Paterson missed the target. 

“The lads tried to do what we spoke about when we analysed the opponent before the game; we were well prepared and the lads did it well. We closed the centre and were aggressive so to not give them much space. We were also good in our transition and created good chances on the pitch. I saw everything, but we missed goals. 

“Sometimes you do not get what you deserve, but I am very pleased we brought our performance against such a high quality opponent. In my opinion, we played at a high level – but the key points today did not go in our direction. This is part of the game.

“Sometimes you have to accept the result and I think everybody can leave the Stadium today with their heads up. It’s not nice to lose a game, but we go on. I still have a much better feeling than after last Saturday’s result against Ipswich.”

The Terriers will have more chances to beat the division’s best sides before the season is out, with both Hull City and Burnley among those left to visit the John Smith’s Stadium.

Wagner continued: “These are exactly the games against the opponents we can learn from. We want to play in these games, but we must make sure we get more for our performance through a better result. We should have had a draw as a minimum today – or if we’d got a bit lucky, a win. We will have games against good sides in the future and we must learn from this game.

“In these games you must be mentally strong. It is important that we start to beat opponents from the top six and we will have some opportunities in the future; it would be important for our confidence. To do that you must bring your identity and performance to the pitch as the basis, as we did today. 

“In the end though, it isn’t important which teams we get results against. We want to get the right result against every one and we’re teaching the squad that it doesn’t matter what opponent we are facing. A name is only a name; at the end they have to beat us. If we are strong enough to stick to our identity and bring our performance to the pitch, they will have to play their best. Today I thought Derby brought near to their best; that’s what it took to defeat us.” 

For now the focus is on Tuesday evening, when the Terriers host Reading in Sky Bet Championship action.

David concluded: “Now we have to make sure we keep our heads up for our next match, which is at home only three days away. We have to bring our performance and style and if we do, I’m totally sure we’ll get results.

“Hopefully ‘Scanz’ will be back in the squad on Tuesday; he trained with us all this week, so he has the opportunity. After my first overview of the dressing room just now, everyone here looks healthy.”