David reviews the 4-1 win at Leeds
- David Wagner reviews win at Leeds United- Head Coach happy with his team's clinical side
- David praises top scorer Nahki Wells
Huddersfield Town Head Coach David Wagner was a happy man after leading his side to a 4-1 West Yorkshire derby win over Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday.
“We have a very happy group in the dressing room right now, just like the fans are happy too,” David told htafc.com.
“I think it was a fantastic day; a massive result and three points in a derby. I know we’ve made a lot of people happy today.
“Our target was to win this game and we knew we’d have to be at our limit to be successful. I thought we were in most parts of our game.
“We missed a penalty and conceded a goal after winning the ball and then losing it again. It wasn’t easy to stay focused after that, but the lads did it absolutely brilliantly.
“We were clinical in the second half. We have moaned about that, but today we did it. We deserved the win, for sure.”
The game was full of ups and downs from a Town perspective, as David explained.
“We came into the game very well, having lots of ball possession and creating chances. Joe Lolley was fouled and it was a penalty, but it was unlucky Nahki missed it. After it, we stayed in the game.
“We expected to have more space on the wings than we had today, so we had to change our game-plan a little bit and play more with short passes in the middle. The lads did that.
“The second half was OK. It wasn’t our best, but we were very clinical.
“Last week we moaned about set pieces and today we used them for the equaliser, which was very important for us psychologically. At half time we spoke about staying focused and brave.
“We had some problems after half time to close the centre with our first line; Nahki and Jamie were too quickly out of the game with only one pass. The idea of the second substitution was to close the centre with Karim and hope he could score, which he did!
“Harry (Bunn) was very good in the week, as was Rajiv, so it was a hard decision between them before the game. We gave both 45 minutes and Harry scored as well.
“We took Phil Billing off because of his yellow card. We all had the feeling that one more foul might lead to a sending off.”
Wagner reserved special praise for top scorer Nahki Wells, who set up one and scored the other of Town’s last two goals having seen his early penalty saved.
“One of Nahki’s most important qualities is the trust he has in himself. He knows we believe in him too.
“Missing chances is part of the game – and a penalty is a big chance! He stayed focused on the game and the way he created Karim Matmour’s goal was unbelievable. He then finished himself with a chance that was not easy.
“It was a great day for him; after his ups and downs today, I think this is a game he will speak about after his career.”
The Head Coach also gave latest recruit Rajiv van La Parra his Town debut and says there is more to come from the Dutchman as he gets used to his full throttle football.
“We know this wasn’t his best, but he worked hard and helped us in the first 45 minutes. He will help us in the future, for sure.
“He has only been with us for one week and I think today you could see that. To realise what he has to do when we have the ball and when the opponent does will take time.
“I think it’s very important he feels welcome and that is only the case if you get playing time.”
David’s made a special mention of the Town fans in attendance and beyond:
“In our last meeting before the game, I told the boys we had the chance to make a lot of people very happy; our Chairman and many thousands others! I told them to go out, be brave, stay focused and try their best.
“We have sold a lot of Season Cards before today and we want to keep that running! An atmosphere like today pushes you as a team and we want such atmospheres at our home games in the future. To make this happen, we have to deliver on the pitch.”
The Terriers don’t play next weekend due to the international break and Wagner finished by outlining his plans.
“We’ll do a double session on Easter Saturday!
“We will give the lads a few days off, for sure, for their legs and minds. It’s very important we are totally fresh for the last eight games. I know for sure that no team has worked as hard as we have over the last four and a half months.”
2016/17 #WagnerRevolution Season Cards are on sale now at £179 adults!
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