Wagner tells Huddersfield’s players to ‘make sure we are all together and totally focused’
HEAD COACH David Wagner last night challenged his Huddersfield Town players to take this “once in a lifetime” opportunity to reach the Premier League.
The Terriers face Reading at Wembley on Monday in the Championship play-off final.
Victory over Jaap Stam’s side would mean a return to the level Town last competed at 45 years ago and cap a quite remarkable season at the John Smith’s Stadium.
“I am proud to be part of this Terriers group that will be involved at 3pm on Monday,” said Wagner ahead of his side competing in world football’s richest game. “This group totally deserves it for what they have done so far this season.
“Now, they know this is maybe a once in a lifetime chance for our players. It took 45 years to be where we are now so if we take another 45 years then not a lot of us will be involved.
“Usually, a Huddersfield Town player will not get an offer from a Premier League club. A Huddersfield Town player usually never has a chance to be involved in the Premier league. But now they have that real chance.
“Ten months ago, it (promotion) was maybe a vision. Not a dream because there are steps you take towards a vision. A dream is where you wake up and do not know why you are there.
“For me, personally, that vision turned to a real chance around Christmas. Now, it changed again from a real chance to reality. We are in the final and one step away from the Premier League. We want to bring this reality to a positive end.”
Town’s preparations for the £200m winner-takes-all final began in earnest once the squad returned on Tuesday from a short training camp in Portugal.
Ahead of that return, Wagner instructed the groundsman at the club’s Canalside training ground to alter the dimensions of the main pitch to match those of Wembley.
By training yesterday at 3pm, the Huddersfield players also experienced a similar level of heat to that expected in Monday’s final.
Kasey Palmer, despite previously being ruled out for the season with a recurrence of the hamstring injury that has sidelined the Chelsea loanee since the first week of February, featured in that session after rejoining his team-mates in Portugal. “I have no idea if he will be available,” added Wagner. “We have another four days to go and we will see how he looks.”
Elias Kachunga was not involved, but the German is expected to return to full training over the weekend and be available for the Terriers’ Wembley date.
Wagner’s sole focus since edging past Sheffield Wednesday has been the final against Reading. That, though, has not prevented his name being linked with a host of jobs in recent days, including Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Middlesbrough.
Asked if this had been a distraction, the 45-year-old laughed before replying: “Don’t forget the German clubs. No, seriously, I am still here.
“We have all been in this business long enough to know that if you are successful, they praise you, but if you are not successful, they kick you.
“This does not bother me. I said this to my players as well, as they have seen the same headlines. I tell them, ‘Make sure that we are all together and totally focused; it makes no sense to waste your energy on anything else’.
“After the final, everyone can think about whatever he likes. But now, this is the biggest game we have had in front of us.”
That vision turned to a real chance around Christmas. David Wagner, on Huddersfield Town’s vision of possibly gaining promotion.