KLOPP PROTEGE SHOWS HE’S LEARNED WELL
JURGEN KLOPP’S refreshing brand of ‘Gegenpressing’ might be making waves at the top of the Premier League – but his understated former deputy is equally injecting a breath of fresh air into the Championship.
David Wagner’s new-look, defiant Huddersfield side remain the early season pacesetters after a typically resolute win over dismal, shot-shy Ipswich Town.
Their record-signing Chris Schindler got the game’s only goal – a strong near post header in the 58th minute – while Manchester City loanee Aaron Mooy caught the eye in the centre of the park.
But this was more about the power of a team, and the Terriers’ pressing football against already nervous opposition, who have now gone more than 400 minutes since scoring.
Wagner, who continues to be linked with Derby County, admitted he was surprised by his side’s lightning start of eight wins from 11 matches.
He said: “The only teams who could have expected this start is Newcastle, Norwich and Aston Villa.
“But I am not surprised by how my players are working together and how fit they are. In football, it is all about the little details and getting them right to win games.
“For any manager in the Championship, three points at Ipswich is huge. This is a very difficult place to come against an uncomfortable and aggressive team but we stayed in the game and then got our goal.”
When quizzed about whether he would be interested in the Derby job, with current boss Nigel Pearson suspended, Wagner would only say: “I don’t talk about myself – it is all about my team and my players.”
Huddersfield’s early season success was in stark contrast to Ipswich’s toil which saw them booed off amid chants of ‘what a load of rubbish’ as the visitors locked hands and saluted their travelling fans in a scene more reminiscent of Wagner’s German homeland.
The home crowd mocked a rare shot on target by Freddie Sears in the 66th minute. The chants of ‘we’ve had a shot’ were uncomfortable and a sign of the growing unrest among the Portman Road faithful.
Chances were few and far between with Huddersfield going close to taking a first-half lead when Elias Kachunga seized on a loose clearance from Josh Emmanuel to cannon a shot against the inside of the post.
Nakhi Wells latched onto the rebound but his effort was pushed away by Town keeper Bartosz Bialkowski.
Ipswich had their moments, a free kick from Tom Lawrence whistled just wide and Grant Ward screwed a half-decent chance wide of the far post.
But that was as good as it got from the unconfident hosts, who might actually benefit from the international break.
Mick McCarthy said: “We weren’t very good on the ball and we didn’t create anything. We have got some injuries but I expect more from the players I had out on the pitch. It is difficult at the moment. I’m not surprised by the fans’ reaction. We did not play as well as we could and the crowd are getting frustrated and venting their feelings.
“I am doing the job to the best of my ability but if we are not as good as the crowd think we should be, then they pay their money and it is up to them if they want to boo. I’m not happy with how we played myself.”