Huddersfield will learn from Spurs defeat says David Wagner

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN head coach David Wagner admits his side were taught a harsh lesson about the reality of life in the Premier League by Harry Kane and Tottenham Hotspur.
Huddersfield Town head coach David Wagner: Plenty to ponder.Huddersfield Town head coach David Wagner: Plenty to ponder.
Huddersfield Town head coach David Wagner: Plenty to ponder.

The Terriers surrendered their unbeaten home record in a comprehensive 4-0 defeat that saw the England striker net twice, Ben Davies and Moussa Sissoko also getting their names on the scoresheet.

Wagner, while acknowledging the quality of Mauricio Pochettino’s men, felt his side had been guilty of making far too many unforced errors.

“Big credit to Tottenham,” said the Huddersfield chief.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“They showed what a top-class side is, but we made it too easy for them. When this happens, you lose a football match.

“We wanted to be brave and create our moments, to take the energy from the stands. We did have some moments, such as when we hit the bar (through Laurent Depoitre) and had strikes on target.

“But when you are as brave as us and play one against one as the last line of defence, you cannot give the goals away so easily.”

Kane took his tally of goals in September to a phenomenal 13 in eight appearances for club and country, and was rewarded with a standing ovation from both sets of supporters when substituted by South Korea’s Son Heung-min near the end.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

For Wagner, however, the need for Huddersfield’s players to learn from their own display was uppermost in the mind.

“For sure, we like to show that we have learned our lessons,” said the German, who led his players through a training session immediately after Saturday’s game before bidding farewell to his international players for the best part of 10 days.

“And against Spurs, we learned lessons. It is different when a player hears from his manager that he has to be 100 per cent concentrated for every single second to feeling it for himself, as happened.

“We have to get the easy, clear things right. They will learn. The players have the character to learn.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

One area that did please Wagner on Saturday was how the Town fans stuck with their team throughout an often difficult afternoon.

He added: “The Huddersfield supporters feel when their side is brave and giving 100 per cent effort. That is what the players did against Spurs.

“We did not sit back and hope for a point. We really wanted to create something and be brave, but we made too many errors.”

Match report: Page 2.