Huddersfield Town afforded time to gel, says captain Mark Hudson

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN captain Mark Hudson believes head coach David Wagner getting his summer recruitment done early will help the club negotiate a tough start to the new season.
Huddersfield Town head coach David Wagner poses for a photograph with fans at Wednesday's game with Liverpool (Picture: Tony Johnson).Huddersfield Town head coach David Wagner poses for a photograph with fans at Wednesday's game with Liverpool (Picture: Tony Johnson).
Huddersfield Town head coach David Wagner poses for a photograph with fans at Wednesday's game with Liverpool (Picture: Tony Johnson).

At a time when most of their Championship peers are still on the hunt for new signings, the Terriers, in Wagner’s own words, have “done our business”.

A dozen new faces have arrived at the John Smith’s Stadium, the final two pieces in the transfer jigsaw coming last week with the loan addition of Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward and Chelsea midfielder Kasey Palmer.

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Ward, after being involved with Wales during Euro 2016, will join up with the rest of the squad to fly to Austria tomorrow for a pre-season training camp meaning Wagner now has a full fortnight to work with all his players.

Hudson believes this will be a major advantage for the Yorkshire club, who face relegated duo Newcastle United and Aston Villa during a tough opening 10 days.

“The chairman and the boss getting the players in so early has been a big thing,” said the 34-year-old defender. “It has given us that time to gel on the pitch and off the pitch before the season starts.

“We are learning about each other, what our respective strengths and weaknesses are, and then we can build on those.”

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Nahki Wells, yet to feature in pre-season due to injury, is travelling with the squad and Wagner expects last season’s top scorer to get a run out in the friendlies with Werder Bremen and FC Ingolstadt.

“The Austria trip gives us a chance to be on the pitch a lot more,” said Hudson, who played 45 minutes in Wednesday night’s 2-0 loss to Liverpool as Wagner chose to play effectively a different team in each half.

“There is no travelling, we are based on site. We also have the two tough games.

“I’d imagine a few will get a full 90 minutes out there, which is key as when the real fatigue sets in with 15 minutes to go we have to focus hard.

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“Another big test and then a week closer to the season. We have a tough start but you have to play every team twice in the season so it is nothing to worry about. We are looking forward to starting and we will be ready for it.”

Thorsten Stuckmann has had his contract at Doncaster Rovers cancelled by mutual consent.