Frustration for Huddersfield Town chief after Terriers share unwanted slice of history

HUDDERSFIELD Town head coach Jan Siewert claimed "we didn't deserve to lose" after his side's 2-1 Championship home defeat to Derby County.
On the ball: Huddersfield Town's Aaron Mooy (left) and Derby County's Mason Bennett battle for possession.On the ball: Huddersfield Town's Aaron Mooy (left) and Derby County's Mason Bennett battle for possession.
On the ball: Huddersfield Town's Aaron Mooy (left) and Derby County's Mason Bennett battle for possession.

The Terriers' opening night defeat meant it was the first time in Football League history that the three teams relegated from the Premier League had lost their first match of the following season in the Championship.

Siewert was frustrated at his side's failure to take their chances, with Karlan Grant scoring their only goal from the penalty spot.

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"I think we saw two different halves," he said. "In the first half, we made it too easy for Tom Lawrence to score and they took advantage of our mistakes.

"In the second half, I don't think they had a shot on target, we had the chances and I think with those big chances we must have scored.

"It's a game for me where we should have got something out of it."

Siewert insisted no blame would be placed on debutant defender Tommy Elphick after the error that led to Lawrence's opener.

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"Tommy Elphick is a great lad and a great player first of all," he added. "For me it's more important how he reacted in the second half and that everyone backed each other. This is the important thing."

Siewert's opposite number, Phillip Cocu, was tight-lipped on reports linking Derby with a move for former England captain Wayne Rooney.

The DC United striker has been linked with a possible player-coach role at Pride Park.

Cocu offered few clues as to whether there was any truth in the rumours following Monday's win.

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Asked whether Rooney would get into his side after they opened their season with a victory, Cocu joked: "Who?

"I'm sorry, I can't say (anything). There are still three days and the market's open.

"I've said before that we're not done and we're working to get the team complete, but I cannot talk about any names at this moment."

Lawrence scored both Derby goals at the John Smith's Stadium as part of a terrific first-half performance from the Wales international.

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His first came after a defensive error from Elphick, keeping his composure to lift the ball into an empty net, while his second was a well-taken left-footed strike from the edge of the area.

"World-class goals," Cocu said. "He's a quality player. He shows his quality on the ball and in combinations, works hard for the team. To start the season with two goals is very impressive."