Town’s Head Coach reveals plans to prepare for the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off final
- David Wagner reviews Huddersfield Town’s win on penalties against Sheffield Wednesday- Wagner praises the team effort at Huddersfield Town
- Town’s Head Coach reveals plans to prepare for the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off final
Head Coach David Wagner heaped praise on everyone at the Club following Huddersfield Town’s 4-3 win on penalties against Sheffield Wednesday in the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off semi-final.
Wagner told htafc.com that the win is up there with one of his greatest achievements as a Head Coach.
“We all have to thank the players, the backroom staff, the supporters and the Chairman; they have all done an unbelievable job this season and they deserve to be so happy and proud.
“I can say after being promoted with the Dortmund Second Team, this is the biggest achievement I have had as a Head Coach so far and I’m very happy to be a part of this group.”
Despite the match going to penalties, Town’s Head Coach admitted he was always confident in his players, especially after a conversation he had with goalkeeper Danny Ward before the start.
“I was pretty relaxed, Wardy (Danny Ward) came up to me before the shoot-out and said, ‘Boss I will make it happen’ so I was relaxed. I trust Danny and my players.”
Collin Quaner was brought on for Elias Kachunga in the 72nd minute and set-up Nahki Wells’ equalising goal with his second touch in the match.
Wagner was delighted with Collin’s impact and thought his performance and spirit optimised the belief of the Huddersfield Town squad.
“Collin was an unbelievably positive influence when he came on, he has been in very good form over the last six or eight weeks and it was very hard to not start him.
“He did exactly what I expect my players and subs to do if they come on, even if it’s just for half an hour; they have to make sure they make an impact. Collin did that.
“He played very well and I’m very happy for him. I’m so proud of my players and of this Football Club; everyone connected with this group should be proud of what they’ve done this season.”
Following the win, David Wagner praised Sheffield Wednesday for its performances over the Play-Off semi-final legs.
“A semi-final that is played over two legs and still goes to a penalty shoot-out shows how tight the games were and how even they were.
“Sheffield Wednesday was a very strong competitor so my thoughts are with the Club and with Carlos Carvalhal.
“Sheffield played a very strong season and was a very opponent in the semi-final; in the end I think we deserved to be in the final because not only in these two matches but the whole season the players have worked their socks off, they tried everything.
“This game today showed the players character; they have a working and fighting attitude which is extraordinary, they are able to bounce back and you should never write them off.
“They showed that again today and I am very proud.”
After celebrating the win, Wagner revealed that the Town squad will go to Portugal for an extra training camp ahead of the final.
“We’ve planned something and I have to give a bit credit to Mark Fagan, our Player Liaison Officer, for doing this; He has worked his socks off to get everything sorted.
“We will start tomorrow, with the players and their families and go to Portugal for five days to recover and train there. That’s where our focus will start for Wembley.
“The gap is so big I believe it makes sense to leave Huddersfield for a few days, not to relax, we will work but in a different environment; then we will come back a good week before the final.
“The target is clear we would like to write the last successful chapter of this fairy-tale, that we started 10 months ago, everybody knows we are one step away from the Premier League.
“Wembley should be the biggest occasion and atmosphere ever and hopefully thousands of Huddersfield Town supporters will be there.”
Huddersfield Town will face Reading on Monday 29 May in the Sky Bet Championship final and Wagner urged his side to continue to believe in itself.
“A lot of the pundits expected us to be in relegation trouble but now we are in the final at Wembley.
“We always said we are a small dog, everyone knows we are a low budget club but that doesn’t stop us being ambitious.
“You can only manage your ambitions if you focus on yourself and try to work; this is what the players have done over the whole season and now they’re at Wembley.”
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