Video: '˜It is only a start' insists Huddersfield Town boss David Wagner

HEAD COACH David Wagner may be so content with his summer recruitment that Huddersfield Town's business is done with almost a week of the window remaining.
Jordan Williams competes with Rotherham Uniteds Will Vaulks (Picture: Tony Johnson).Jordan Williams competes with Rotherham Uniteds Will Vaulks (Picture: Tony Johnson).
Jordan Williams competes with Rotherham Uniteds Will Vaulks (Picture: Tony Johnson).

The Terriers’ chief may also be able boast one of only three 100 per cent winning starts in this season’s top flight.

But suggest that Yorkshire’s only top-flight representative may soon have to shed the self-styled tag of biggest underdogs in Premier League history and he vehemently disagrees.

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“It is only a start,” said the German. “I believe it is still the case (being the biggest underdogs). Of course, we are happy with what we have done so far. We are also in the next round of the (League) Cup and our performances have been good.

NEW ERA: Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner.  Picture: Tony Johnson.NEW ERA: Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner.  Picture: Tony Johnson.
NEW ERA: Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner. Picture: Tony Johnson.

“We have taken the first steps towards adapting to the Premier League. It is important for a club that has not been in the top flight for such a long time that very early you have the feeling you are a competitor. We wanted to find out, ‘Do we have a chance?’

“But even though we played well and have six points on the board, we all know it is only a start and it means more or less nothing. There are a lot of games to go.”

Wagner’s caution is understandable, not least because Hull City had a maximum six points at this stage a year ago, but still went down in May.

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“I am absolutely aware about what happened to Hull,” said Wagner, who says there have been no further developments over the future of Nahki Wells.

NEW ERA: Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner.  Picture: Tony Johnson.NEW ERA: Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner.  Picture: Tony Johnson.
NEW ERA: Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner. Picture: Tony Johnson.

“My dressing room isn’t stupid and they are also aware. We know this is a good start, but it is only a start. We are humble enough to know this. Six points does not help us in the next game against Southampton.”

Huddersfield yesterday took their tally of summer signings to a dozen with the capture on a season-long loan of Swiss international Florent Hadergjonaj.

Right-back has been a position that Town have been desperate to strengthen all summer with a deal for Barnsley’s Andy Yiadom only collapsing at the 11th hour due to a failed medical.

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Following on from the arrival of attacking midfielder Abdelhamid Sabiri earlier in the week, Hadergjonaj’s switch from FC Ingolstadt on a loan that can be made permanent next summer means Huddersfield’s transfer business is done.

“I think so,” said Wagner when asked if that was the case. “I will never say never, like always.

“But I do feel we have a group together where every position has two players.

“That was always our target, two proper players from our point of view and this is why I think we have done what we need to do.

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“No one knows what can happen in the last week, but, from my point of view, I am very happy with what I have got. It is up to us now to get the best out of this group.”

Hadergjonaj’s arrival means Jordan Williams, the Academy product who so impressed on debut in Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup win over Rotherham United, is likely to be sent out on loan to gain experience.

“I found out in the morning that I was playing so it was very last minute,” said the 17-year-old about his bow at right-back. “My mum, dad and girlfriend –and her family as well – were all here as soon as I knew I was playing.

“The gaffer was good and just telling me to relax really and, hopefully, I can kick on now and get a few more games as well. I enjoyed everything about it.”