Huddersfield Town strive to build on perfect platform for success

Now, though, as the dust finally settles on the ugly scenes that will surely see both head coaches punished by the Football Association, the Terriers can take heart from not only beating promotion rivals Brighton and Leeds United inside the space of four days live on TV, but also earning an FA Cup fifth round glamour tie with Manchester City by making light work of an in-form Rochdale.

If a certain Danish brewer really did do perfect weeks then this was surely it for Wagner and his side as a huge statement of intent was made in the race for the Premier League.

Deservedly beating two major rivals in such a manner underlined just why Huddersfield can follow the likes of Burnley and Bournemouth in earning a place among the elite against all the odds.

Danny Ward, the Liverpool loanee who has so impressed in the Town goal this term, certainly believes the rest of the second tier will be sitting up and taking note of Wagner’s men.

“We were thinking after Thursday’s performance – which was a big win, obviously – that it was a statement,” the 23-year-old told The Yorkshire Post as preparations got under way for Saturday’s trip to Queens Park Rangers.

“But we wanted to back that up and, adding in the rivalry between the two clubs, it turned into a perfect storm really.

“We are obviously made up to come out on top and, hopefully, we have backed our (Brighton) statement up and people can see that Huddersfield Town have got no limits.”

Town leapfrogged Leeds in the table thanks to Michael Hefele’s late derby winner and now sit just six points behind the automatic promotion places.

Brighton and Newcastle United may remain overwhelming favourites to finish in the top two, but there will be more than a few nervous glances over shoulders at both the Amex and St James’ Park, not least because the tougher-looking fixtures during Huddersfield’s run-in take place at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Reading, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Fulham, Preston North End and Norwich City are all still to visit a venue where Town have lost just twice in 15 games. The devastating manner in which Wagner’s side coped with what, on paper, was their most daunting week of the season suggests confidence will not be a problem for the Yorkshire club.

“All three were very different games,” said Wales international Ward. “Rochdale was about adapting and it was going to be a battle and a tough place to go.

“Brighton was near enough a complete performance, barring a clean sheet. I thought we chased absolutely all over the pitch and were excellent on the ball, with movement up front and being solid at the back.

“Then, against Leeds, it was a big fight and a big derby win. First of all, in games like these, you have to win the battle. You don’t expect anything else.”

Victories in two high-pressure games mean Town have taken 25 points from their last 10 league outings to banish memories of the dip in results during October and November that saw Wagner’s men slide briefly out of the top six.

Back then, confidence seemed almost as much of a problem as an inability to defend set-pieces, but both traits have, judging by stellar displays against the Seagulls and Leeds, been eradicated.

“We have been like that since the start of the season,” added Ward.

“Even during our dip in form in the middle of the season when we had that bad eight-game run, we still believed in ourselves and the qualities that we have got in the squad.

“The manager and all the staff believe in one another and we try and take that out on the pitch. It is no limits, like the manager is always going on about and, hopefully, we manage to replicate that every week.

“Every game is important, even though that is a cliché. You have to beat what is in front of you, regardless of whether they are top of the league or bottom.”

Town’s derby win in front of their biggest home crowd of the season helped extend their advantage over Norwich City, who sit just below the play-off places, to nine points. It also means Huddersfield are firmly on course for their highest standing since being relegated from the top flight in 1972.

Not that any of Wagner’s men are allowing themselves to get carried away by the current position.

“I think it is only natural to look at the league table,” added Ward, who has missed just one of Huddersfield’s 29 league outings.

“But we are not getting carried away with ourselves. Even after these two big results, we need to take every game as it comes and keep working hard and picking up the points.”