TRICKY CUP JOB COMPLETED AS WAGNER’S CHANGES PAY OFF

The skipper took a whack to the head early doors but carried on and played his part in a pleasing victory. Recorded a goal and an assist in a difficult game, so this must go down as a decent Town debut for the German. A DOUBLE by fans’ favourite Michael Hefele, brought off the bench and pushed up front as boss David Wagner made bold alterations for the second half.

A debut goal and an assist for new boy Collin Quaner, Town’s latest signing from Germany.

And, at last, the awarding of a penalty, calmly converted by the club’s other January signing, onloan Chelsea forward Izzy Brown.

There was plenty to note from another comprehensive FA Cup win over League One opponents by Wagner’s Championship high fliers, who after seeing off Port Vale 4-0 at home, came through a tricky test at battling Rochdale to record the same scoreline.

Some say cup runs get in the way of promotion pushes.

And now Town have to fit an extra match into a schedule which brings an attractive home league clash with leaders Brighton on Thursday, then the big John Smith’s Stadium derby against Leeds next Sunday.

The visit to Wolves has already had to be rearranged (for Tuesday, February 28).

Now the home clash with Reading set for Saturday, February 18 will have to be put back because Town will be back in FA Cup action that weekend.

But isn’t it great to have tonight’s fifth-round draw to anticipate?

On an afternoon when Wagner’s best mate Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, Brighton and Newcastle United all came unstuck against lower-level opponents, Town stood firm.

This win wasn’t all plain sailing, because Rochdale tore into their visitors from the outset and had two great chances before Quaner’s 42nd-minute opener.

But as Wagner said, his side showed both the right attitude and a pleasing adaptability on a heavy surface.

The head coach made eight changes from the side which started the 2-0 home Championship win over Ipswich Town seven days previously.

Keeper Joel Coleman, back four Martin Cranie, Jon Gorenc Stankovic, Mark Hudson and Tareiq Holmes-Dennis, midfielder Dean Whitehead and forwards Harry Bunn and Quaner came in.

Danny Ward, Tommy Smith, Hefele, Jonathan Hogg, Rajiv van La Parra and Nahki Wells dropped