Survival would top promotion for Huddersfield Town boss David Wagner

The Terriers have over-performed against gloomy pre-season predictions to sit 16th with six games to go but have yet to escape the relegation conversation. They go to fellow promoted side Brighton today just three points above third-bottom Southampton, who have a game in hand, and looking for a first win – and first goal – in five games.

For Wagner, staying up would be even sweeter than his side’s unexpected promotion last term but he is quick to stress it is still in Huddersfield’s hands.

“Last season it was a fairytale, what happened, and this season if we stay up it’s the next level...it’s maybe a miracle,” he said.

“But I’m confident we have everything to stay up, even if we know it is difficult.

“Always in football, or in the life of a sportsman, you like to have a chance. If you have a chance it is up to you what you make of it. We have a chance, a big chance, to stay in the Premier League.

“So be focused on that chance, try everything, work as hard you can, fight with everything you have and trust each other. Then we can see what we get out of it.”

Huddersfield came up alongside the Seagulls last season and won the counterpart fixture at the John Smith’s Stadium 2-0 in December. Having crossed paths with Brighton boss Chris Hughton throughout his time in England, Wagner says there is no chance of either side catching the other out tactically.

“We are very well informed regarding Brighton as they are well informed about us,” he said.

“There will not be a lot of big surprises from both sides, we know each other too well for surprises.

“Usually they are well organised, a good attitude, a very good atmosphere always.”

“It is an opponent we have a lot of respect for but we have the feeling if we come with our very best we have the chance to get something out of it.”