THE VERDICT: TOWN 1 SOUTHAMPTON 3 Fear of drop fed through to defeat, says boss
WAGNER SAYS PRESSURE OF RELEGATION KEY TO A NERVY PERFORMANCE THAT LED TO ANOTHER LOSS
DAVID Wagner felt Huddersfield Town were affected by the pressure of the relegation battle, especially in the first half, in the defeat by Southampton.
The head coach felt his team weren’t brave enough in possession as they went down to goals from Nathan Redmond, Danny Ings (penalty) and substitute Michael Obafemi.
Philip Billing sparked a minirevival with a cracking 58thminute drive, but the performance overall was not good enough and Wagner was honest in his assessment.
“The difference was that in the first half we weren’t good enough,” said the boss, who is hoping midfielder Jonathan Hogg (knee) will be fit to return against Manchester United on Boxing Day.
“This was not a performance that we normally show. Especially in ball possession I think we rushed things in the first half, we didn’t look comfortable and we didn’t look brave as well.
“Too often we passed backwards rather than forwards and we were not good offensively.
“This meant the gaps were too big, because we lost the ball too quickly and too easily.
“Even if, then, defensively you work and you fight you can’t close the gaps and, as a result, we were 2-0 down at half time.”
Town were booed off at half time by some sections in a crowd of 23,284, who feared the fifth successive defeat which was eventually inflicted. “I thought the second half was better, much better, and the players were much braver and comfortable on the ball, showing a reaction which was very important,” added Wagner, whose side cannot now escape the bottom three even with a win at Old Trafford.
“Unfortunately, we scored only one goal and weren’t able to use the other opportunities which we had in the second half.
“We lost, but I have said before we have to make sure we are independent from the circumstances, we can’t be affected by league position and results because, if this happens, we are not able to perform and, if we