THE VERDICT: NEWCASTLE 2 TOWN 0 No excuses as Siewert searches for a solution
HUDDERSFIELD Town have no excuses and must ‘show another face’ against Wolves tomorrow night.
That’s the message from head coach Jan Siewert, who watched his 10-man side beaten 2-0 by Newcastle United after goals from Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez.
While Tommy Smith’s 20th-minute straight red card for a lunging challenge on Miguel Almiron changed the complexion of the match, and will cost the captain a three-match ban, Siewert refused to criticise referee Kevin Friend and focused more on the mistakes of his team and the challenge they face to improve.
“I felt good in the beginning, and I think people could see what we were trying to do, but one situation changed the game and then it’s not easy when the team doesn’t have the biggest confidence,” said Siewert, who has lost all four matches since taking charge from David Wagner.
“When you haven’t won since November it makes it hard to defend with one fewer player on the pitch.
“There were things we didn’t do well and which we definitely have to do better, but I will talk to them, we will work it out and we will show another face on Tuesday.”
Siewert was without hamstring-injury victim Adama Diakhaby and played Laurent Depoitre in preference to new signing Karlan Grant.
Goalkeeper Ben Hamer and Dutch defender Terence Kongolo were also left out as Jonas Lossl and Chris Lowe returned after illness ruled them out against Arsenal.
Town remain anchored at the bottom of the table, and Siewert added: “We have to continue to try and change this situation.
“I’m learning and the players are learning. It is a sombre dressing room now as the players are disappointed. We still stay positive, and we go on.”
On Smith’s red card, Siewert commented: “It was definitely a big moment because we started the game well. It definitely changed the game.
“I don’t find excuses. We’ve been working together for four weeks, and we haven’t had a red