Huddersfield Town are setting the benchmark to delight David Wagner

David WagnerDavid Wagner
David Wagner
Beware the substitute is the message from Huddersfield Town after they maintained their unbeaten start to the Championship season with a draw at relegated Aston Villa.

Michael Hefele came on and secured a 1-1 draw when he scored with his first touch after Gollini’s clearance hit him 30 yards out and flew into the net with just four minutes left. It cancelled out Ross McCormack’s first goal for Villa.

Kasey Palmer had scored with his second touch after entering the fray on the opening day to give Town a 2-1 win at home to Brentford and Jack Payne grabbed a late winner after being introduced against Newcastle United.

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Town head coach David Wagner was surprised with the nature of the goal from defender Hefele, who had been thrown up front and had only been on the pitch a minute.

“It was a strange moment, when I brought him on I didn’t have the picture of this goal in my head,” he said.

“At the end it was a typical Hef goal, he is a great character and has a fighting attitude. It’s not easy for him at the moment because he has two strong competitors with (Mark) Hudson and (Christopher) Schindler but I’m very pleased for him.”

Nahki Wells inspired Huddersfield’s comeback when he came on after the break and the striker hit the post with a free-kick and also forced Gollini into a smart stop.

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Wagner added: “I explained to Nahki why I didn’t give him a start because, after he missed such a big part of pre-season, he is not able to recover in three days after the 65 minutes he played against Newcastle.

“I said to him he could make the difference when he comes on to the pitch. With a bit more luck he could have scored three goals. He’ll become fitter and fitter and he will be the Nahki Wells we had last season.”

Rotherham manager Stubbs admitted his side need to “grow into the demands of the Championship quickly” after leaking another three goals in a 3-0 defeat at leaders Brighton.

The Millers have let in 13 in four league and cup games and Stubbs said: “I knew it would be a challenge and tough.

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“It makes me even more excited to do something with the opportunity. I don’t fear what is in front of me. It is what it is and it makes it rewarding when you get results.

“We have changed considerably the way we try and play and our squad has to grow into the demands of this division very quickly. When they do, they’ll compete much better.”

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