Long Live the Wagner Revolution! - Notes for Huddersfield Friday, 30th Sep 2016 12:00 by HarryFromBath HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday’s game at Portman Road by delving into their forums. “Here we are, top of the league with 22 points from 10 games. We can still improve but it’s hard to be critical when you are looking down on the rest and playing some lovely football”, “Something magical is happening at the club. It seems everyone is buying into it and coming along for the ride.” “Newcastle win 4-3”, “Well, that was a turnaround and a half”, “We are where we deserve to be.” The Terriers went top of the league on Tuesday night with a 2-1 win over the Millers and remained there after Norwich’s calamitous stoppage-time capitulation to the Magpies the following evening. “It’s fun watching Town again, long may it continue”, “We are a joy to watch at times”, “This isn’t down to luck, it’s hard work, desire and a fair amount of skill”, “I am enjoying this amazing run we’re on”, “I have just read that we had 21 points on Christmas Day last year. Let that sink in for a second.” David Wagner“Wagner has done an incredible job since he took over and has transformed us into one hell of a team”, “’We are a team of workers, not dreamers’, that’s brilliant. How the hell did we unearth this guy?”, “Dignity, loyalty, humility and a very good coach too. He is level-headed in all circumstances” “Wagner knows his stuff. Christ, I love our side at the moment”, “He looks at the overall starting XI and its balance rather than picking one individual over another no matter who they are”, “No drama no whinging, and entirely realistic, he draws a line under things and moves on to the next game." The 44-year-old German replaced Chris Powell as head coach last November. He has been praised both for the footballing philosophy he has instilled and his success in the transfer market. “It’s absolutely amazing to have got so many signings right”, “He’s had an insanely high number of hits.” “A legend”, “The passion and winning mentality are there for all to see”, “While he said he could never guarantee a result in any game he guaranteed that we would go out in every game and try to win. That’s what fans want to see, players giving it 100 per cent for 90 minutes, week-in, week-out.” “I can’t see the prima donnas at Derby accepting double sessions and training in the evening.” Fans have been scathing about press reports linking him with a move to the Rams. “Wagner is great at developing players. He would never have dealt with a vipers’ nest of underperforming egos before.” Heart Attack Football“Well done Town, but I’m not sure I am enjoying the stress of being top of the league or these tight finishes”, “Why is it never easy? I swear I have aged 10 years in 10 games”, “Why is it so painful? I can’t stand this”, “Leading by one goal with 30 or more minutes left is putting years on me.” “Crikey, I’m not sure I can take a season of this”, “No match will ever be pain free.” The Terriers have reached the summit having scored no more than two goals in any game and all seven of their league victories have been by either 1-0 or 2-1 margins. “I worry our luck is going to run out soon.” Formation“We are a dangerous team, a team of many different threats”, “There are two sides to our game. We can play free-flowing football for a lot of the match but we also have an ability to dig in and grind out a result”, “The team has a fantastic spine and our defence is impressive compared to recent years.” “We have an absolutely brilliant blend of characters at the moment and I would say that’s a big part of why we are doing so well. They all seem very determined and will bust a gut for the club. They are completely into what Wagner is doing”, “This is a team that doesn’t know when they are beaten.” WardSmithHudsonSchindlerLoweHoggMooyKachungaPalmerVan La ParraWells
“This is our best team for me.” With suspensions forcing Wagner to alter his team for Tuesday night’s home win over the Millers, the starting XI (above) which played in their previous two games, a defeat to Reading and a win over QPR, will more closely resemble their line-up at Portman Road. The team is built on a rock-solid defence which has yet to concede more than one in the league this season. Jonathan Hogg protects the back four with Aaron Mooy acting as a deep-lying playmaker, using the space afforded to him to either pass to devastating effect or break forward effectively. “Our fitness is far superior to anyone else’s.” Wagner has brought his philosophy of a high-energy pressing game to the club. The front quartet are regularly praised for both the fluidity of their play and their movement when attacking, as well as the intensity of their work-rate without the ball. “Central midfield is all about balance. The balance of Hogg, Mooy and Kasey Palmer or Jack Payne is just about as good as I have seen in over 50 years of watching Town”, “There was 15-minute spell in that first half that made me feel a bit embarrassed for QPR”, “It was like watching Barcelona.” “The defensive issues have improved massively”, “In Wagner’s system the full-backs have to get up and down”, “Both full-backs are able to push so far forward because centre-halves cover wide with Hogg dropping into the middle. It’s up to the new back-line to cover for the marauding full-backs.” “David Wagner says there is room to improve. The final third is the most obvious area”, “We need to improve our ruthlessness”, “A cutting edge is needed. We don’t shoot enough or convert set-pieces and corners”, “We are nowhere near clinical enough. If we sort that out, we would be scarily good.” Huddersfield 2 — 1 Rotherham“Phew, glad that’s over. Well done Town, but you have got to make it easier on my health”, “We were a bit shaky and complacent at times, but we roll on”, “It was a really hard-fought victory and credit to Rotherham for making it a contest. They were way better than QPR were last week.” Elias Kachunga put the hosts ahead in the second minute, poking home after an immediate spell of sustained pressure in front of a crowd of just under 19,000 last Tuesday night. Former Terrier Danny Ward volleyed in an equaliser on 34, but Nahki Wells put Town back in front four minutes later. WardSmithHefeleSchindlerHolmes-DennisWhiteheadMooyScannellPalmerKachungaWells
Suspensions and injuries forced Wagner into losing four regular players from his preferred line-up (above) but fans were reassured by the performances of all of the replacements. “This game was a banana skin with so many starters out. We have very good depth”, “Onwards now to Ipswich.” “We should have created more tonight. We had lots of attacking possession but nothing at the end of it at times”, “Our habit of passing rather than running with the ball needs looking at”, “Rotherham were unlucky not to draw but winning when you’re not on top of your game is key to doing well.” Reading 1 — 0 Huddersfield“When, oh when are we going to get a decent referee against Reading?”, “What is it about Reading and us being screwed over by referees?”, “Bloody Reading, these so-and-sos always get a rubbish ref against us”, “Well done ref, you’re the star of the show”, “Never has one man ruined so many days.” “We gave it everything against 12 men.” Terriers came away from Saturday’s game at the Madejski Stadium both defiant and seething over the performance of James Linington. The referee issued six yellow cards to the visitors including a second yellow to Rajiv Van La Parra on 26 minutes for dissent. “Magnificent in defeat.” Although the hosts won the game with a deflected Roy Beerens shot on 41 minutes, fans were proud of the way their side took the game to the Royals despite their numerical disadvantage. “Proper blood and guts on show, the result was far outweighed by the performance.” One Royal summarised the Terriers’ performance: “You can see why Huddersfield are topping the table. They have a winning quality about them. They put us under huge pressure in the second half and did it with 10 men. No one has done that to us at the Madejski with 11 men, let alone 10.” Huddersfield 2 — 1 QPR“Well done lads. I guess we only do one-goal wins but it sure isn’t too easy on the health”, “Town have a habit of putting their fans through the mill. At least this is a new kind of frustration”, “I can’t recall being so happy to be a Town fan in the last 18 years. Hearing that home crowd is fabulous.” Kasey Palmer headed home the Terriers’ opener on 14 minutes after their side dominated the early stages of last Saturday week’s contest. Kachunga doubled the lead on 62 minutes to give the hosts an unlikely two-goal cushion before Idrissa Sylla pulled one back for Rangers in the 76th minute. “We were superb in the first half. QPR couldn’t get near us. Our passing was superb with Palmer and Mooy at their creative best”, “We really need to make life easier for ourselves. The way QPR came back was nonsensical. We should have been home and hosed long before they pulled one back.” Goalkeepers and Defenders“I think we are watching Liverpool’s future number one here”, “Danny Ward is destined to be a top keeper for years.” The 23-year-old is on a season-long loan from Anfield. “The lad is class and I hope he and Liverpool consider a year’s extension to his loan”, “Our keeper is certainly not a problem.”  “Command your area, not just your six-yard box.” There is one repeated concern. “A note of caution when the ball is lifted into our six-yard box I expect any keeper to catch it and Ward does not”, “For crosses and long throws he needs to come and clear everything out. He flaps or is rooted to his line.” “The difference Wagner has made to Tommy Smith is off the scale.” The 24-year-old right-back “has had a fair bit of stick but he has been excellent all season”, “He has been brilliant getting up to press in every game, playing with confidence both in defence and going forward which was a weakness.” “Some of Smith’s crosses into the box have been sublime and his defending is top notch”, “He’s like a new signing and has drastically improved. I was worried he might not have an attacking side to his game and add the width required from full-backs in this system, but now he looks really dangerous.” “Chris Löwe started well but improves by the week for me.” The 27-year-old left-back and summer addition from Kaiserslautern “is a quality signing”, “He has been terrific in the last few matches. He gets forward well and is also strong defensively although he dives in a little too much for my liking.” “The best left-back we have had for a long time”, “He will sell himself occasionally by trying to tackle or intercept quite frequently. Overall he looks more than good enough”, “He has been beaten for pace a few times”, “Löwe is very composed and calm in all situations. We are lucky to have him.” “Tareiq Holmes-Dennis looks a good prospect but he has a lot to work on.” The 20-year-old left-back arrived from Charlton this summer. “He must improve his fitness and his positional play”, “He gets forward and has some pace, but he likes to cut in on to his right foot without the strength to use it.”  “The Heff will save us!”, “No need to be nervous when you have Michael Hefele charging towards the corner like a steam train.” The 26-year-old centre-back arrived from Dynamo Dresden and is often used by Wagner to replace one of the attacking quartet when protecting a lead. “Come on the Heff!” “Hefele gives us a bigger threat from attacking set pieces”, “I was worried he might prove to be a bit of a comedy footballer but is proving me wrong”, “He looks ungainly but he is actually pretty decent in possession”, “He is the future. It’s time to give him a run in the side to show what he can do.” “Mark Hudson is a big miss against Rotherham. Wow, who would have thought that in July?” The 34-year-old ex-Cardiff City and Crystal Palace defender “brings leadership. He is vocal and makes sure out back four are in line”, “He reads the game well and is the calm head we need”, “He is much improved since Schindler arrived.” “If you are judging Hudson on his technical ability alone, then you are judging him incorrectly”, “He turns like a battleship, a ball over his head and he can’t catch up, and his lack of aerial ability is his biggest frailty”, “He positions himself well to block runners or the ball, or to protect his team mates.” Christopher Schindler“First class”, “With Hudson’s new partner-in-crime at the back, this is the most solid we have looked in years”, “Munich 1860 were disappointed to see Schindler go and we can all see why, a true centre-half in every sense of the word”, “He’s a good solid defender, one of our best buys in many a year.” “Absolutely unflappable.” The 26-year-old summer signing “never panics and reads the game well so he doesn’t have to charge about”, “He’s not the quickest but he reads the game so well”, “Watch the man, stop the ball and worry about what to do with it next. No-nonsense defending”, “Brilliant.” Central Midfielders“Dean Whitehead is exactly the right kind of player and experience we need in the squad.” The 34-year-old ex-Boro and Stoke man “isn’t that mobile anymore, but good to have in the squad even if he’s not playing”, “He did well against Rotherham but we missed Hogg’s energy and industry.”  “Jonathan Hogg is a workhorse engine that never stops. He’s not the best on the ball but there are few as good at this level when the other side has it.” The 27-year-old ex-Watford midfielder “is the main reason our defence looks so much more solid this season. He creates the one-man barrier in front of them”. “Hogg typifies the ‘Terrier Identity’ Wagner is trying to build here”, “His work ethic is second to none as he breaks up play and rarely gives the ball away”, “A crucial member of the squad”, “Our biggest miss against Rotherham. We massively missed his presence and legs, especially in the last quarter.” “It’s a shame Jack Payne isn’t starting. He has not put a foot wrong and knows where the net is.” The 21-year-old former Southend playmaker “has a great engine, gets everywhere and has bags of skill”, “Dribbling is back in, he can switch the ball in his feet so quickly”, “He’s the English Wes Hoolahan.” “Kasey Palmer looks like he’s having the time of his life.” The 19-year-old is on a season-long loan from Chelsea. “He looks to have the ability to play anywhere in the forward four positions”, “His touch is sensational, he gets me off my seat and you get the feeling he can make things happen.” “Palmer is young and with little first-team experience but plays like a seasoned professional. He can score, he has a range of passes that seem exceptional and an ability to read the game”, “No one has mentioned his strength. He can receive a ball with his back to goal, hold off a marker and turn him.” Aaron Mooy“Any player that can control a game while he looks to be strolling through it is a very good player”, “We have pulled off a right coup”, “I have no idea what Mooy is doing here. He’s not Manchester City class but is Premier League all day”, “As good a midfielder as we have had in many a year.”  “Paul Scholes in a Voldemort mask.” The 26-year-old Manchester City loan signing “is a throwback to a good old fashioned playmaker”, “His real strengths in open play are finding space in tight areas, his incredible vision in the final third and near flawless forward passing and through balls”, “Superb.” “Mooy clearly has a lot of close ball-control skill but is not as mobile as I thought he would be”, “He is not nimble of quick enough to play as a number 10 in England”, “He dictates our play from deep, using his ability to pick a defence-splitting pass, rather than just breaking up opposition attacks.” “Zidane Dundee.” The Australia international “made 104 passes against Rotherham. Their midfield quartet managed a total of 96”, “He has the pace to put in a tackle and hasn’t shirked one”, “Always finds space and seems to have a ridiculous amount of time”, “Quality players make it look easy.” Wide Midfielders“Sean Scannell isn’t a patch on Van La Parra. He’s a little too one-dimensional at times.” The 26-year-old former Crystal Palace man “flatters to deceive but came up with an assist against Rotherham. His crossing is woeful as he never gets his head up”, “He looks more suited to the number 10 role.”  “How many games is it going to take Wagner to realise that Harry Bunn is not good enough for this level?” The 23-year-old former Manchester City youth player “looks defensively awful. He doesn’t track back properly and usually ends up conceding a foul because he is the wrong side of his man.” “More physical games suit Harry Bunn more”, “He gives us more ‘width’”, “He looks very unfit when compared to the others”, “Average ability and a terrific attitude”, “There is no hiding his goals and assists, as much as he is a bit of a bull in a china shop at times. He’s a good option off the bench.” Rajiv Van La Parra“The most effective winger in the league”, “I love Rajiv’s skills, assists, tricks and goals but what I really love is his tracking back, positional awareness, work rate and tackling, qualities I didn’t think he possessed. He has been a revelation”, “Our first-choice winger with the best ability and speed.”  “He was missed against Rotherham.” The 25-year-old former Wolves man “is not in the top flight because of his finishing. Wagner has found was to use him where that is less of a problem and we play to his strengths. He would be exposed quickly at a higher level if played in a different system.” “Van La Parra has been head and shoulders above our other wingers until Reading.” Fans were angry with the Dutch winger for his second yellow card at the Madejski. “Talking back, no sense”, “Daft, he let himself and his team-mates down”, “A good player on the pitch but he cost us big-time today.” Strikers“Elias Kachunga has energy, desire, skill and pace”, “His work ethic is faultless.” The 24-year-old loan signing from Ingolstadt “works so hard and is strong as an ox. He has a great combination of skill and determination”, “He has put some excellent shifts when closing down and running at defenders.” “What’s that bearing down on the goal, is it Kachunga?”, “He looks a lot better when he moves into the striker’s role”, “He plays the role well”, “Wagner will play Wells up front and Kachunga wide on the right to accommodate both”, “I doubt he will be prolific but he’s a valuable addition to the side.” Nahki Wells“Nahki is a clever little player. His movement on and off the ball has improved hugely since Wagner came in although he’s not a clinical finisher, nothing like it. He doesn’t have the presence or accuracy to lead the line”, “His quality finish won us the Rotherham game and his work rate was superb.”  “Keep going as you are, Nahki, you are doing a great job, lad”, “I was glad for Wells scoring against the Millers. I felt he needed that.” The 26-year-old ex-Bradford striker “carried us last season. He works immensely hard”, “His overall game has improved this season but he is not a clinical striker.” “Wells is far from perfect and is a far better finisher than anybody else at the club”, “There is no point in pumping high balls to him as he won’t get any joy out of Championship centre-backs in the air”, “He’s a good striker, not a great one, but definitely decent. He will be on the goal trail soon.” Terriers’ Views on ITFC and the Game“Have no fears about going to Ipswich. We have had a better squad than them for some years but McCarthy glued them together better than our previous managers glued us together. I would be very surprised if we don't get anything from Ipswich”, “Nothing to fear in going to Ipswich.” “We shouldn’t have many fears about going to Ipswich. It’s time we turned them over”, “They have not won at home since August and failed to score in their last two home games. I really don't think we've anything to fear, given their indifferent form and that long injury list.” Huddersfield forums don’t run prediction leagues, but there has been a growing consensus that this may be the perfect time to play us. “Ipswich have a hefty injury list. It may be because of this, but Mick seems to be setting them up pretty defensively and they are not offering much up front.” “Pitman and Ward (the guy who scored a hat-trick off the bench) are both injured could miss our game. They already have McGoldrick out and a few others. Surely this could be the first time we win at Portman Road since being promoted? They could well start with Sears and Leon Best up front!” “The local Tractor Boys are far from happy and their TWTD Forum reminds me of ours when Chris Powell was in charge”, “To be fair if they are losing to Leeds, they must be poor. They haven't scored more than once in a game since the opening day, so I can see why their fans are complaining.” “Ipswich will be tough on Saturday. They are unbeaten at home, conceding only three goals in five games and they have played Norwich, Brighton and Villa”, “In recent times we have played well there, but somehow contrive not to win”, “One of those places where you never fancy us to return with much.” Although some Terriers have highlighted their poor record in Suffolk, they haven’t won at Portman Road since 1996, most think that this won’t be an obstacle. “If we score, they really could crumble and we could get three or four. Again, they will have Sears up front who hasn't scored in about a year and Best who's not match fit and also poor.” “We have done three 'Ipswich weekenders' in the last four years and had a very pleasant weekend each time. There’s nothing wrong with an old historic ground which has been developed a bit to keep up - got to be better than many modern ones.” “Ipswich will set up for a 0-0 just like against Brighton.” The wide consensus is that there will be few goals. “Wagner thinks there won't be many goals in this due to the way Ipswich set up to defend. Their attack is also pretty blunt going on form and given what has been said about their injuries.” “I'd bet on a Huddersfield win with few goals to be honest, a solid 1-0 win. The Tractor Boys last eight games have seen eight goals including three goalless games. We have had a grand total of zero goalless draws in Wagner's 43 games in charge. The team who score first will win 1-0.” WebsitesThe busiest and most informative Terriers’ message board is the polite and knowledgeable Down at the Mac.
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