1 ................... TOWN
“Christmas should be family time and this is anything but. But this is the environment and business we work in – it’s all about football and we have to respect the culture and make the best of it, like we have done over the past two seasons.”
And the best of it undoubtedly refers to the excitement of the club playing their first ever Premier League Boxing Day game in front of their home fans.
“There is some excitement for sure – Boxing Day, the John Smith’s Stadium, in the Premier League,” Wagner said.
“This is something that hasn’t happened for a long time and I am absolutely sure there will be an excellent atmosphere.
“The away supporters delivered (at Southampton) and I am sure it will be something extraordinary at home and will help us to overcome this busy period.”
Huddersfield Town go into the Substitute Joe Lolley runs at the Southampton defence during the 1-1 draw at St Mary’s. David Wagner says Lolley is doing well right now clash with the Potters with no new injury concerns, with Jonas Lossl expected to be able to continue.
However, one player who continues to be notable by his absence is Kasey Palmer - left out of the matchday squad for the past four games.
And while there are no concerns over the recurrence of the hamstring injury that has blighted the player for the past year, Wagner admits the 21-year-old loanee is well off the pace at the moment. TOWN head coach David Wagner praised defender Mathias ‘Zanka’ Jorgensen after the 1-1 draw against Southampton - but not because of his performance on the pitch.
‘Zanka Claus’ offered to buy every travelling fan at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday a drink at the John Smith’s Stadium today, with the boss unsurprised at his generosity.
Wagner said: “I like this idea. I think everybody who knows Zanka as a player and character isn’t surprised that he’s done it.
“He wanted to say thank you for his very warm welcome in this football club.”
The boss added: “Our supporters were so loud, I think they took this beer before the game!
“They’ll be very excited for the Boxing Day game now at home, and hopefully we can keep playing the way we have been recently.”
Jorgensen tweeted his pledge in the week’s build-up to the Terriers’ trip to Southampton, stating “I hope you like the gift. Zanka Claus is coming to Town!”
In a video message, he added: “Your support this year has been truly amazing, so I thought I would think up something special for those of you travelling to Southampton.”
The 27-year-old Denmark international (in action below) was serenaded by fans after the game for his generosity.
There were 1,581 Town fans at St Mary’s and Zanka will fork out around £5,059 for his ‘round’.
Although unprepared to comment on suggestions the player may be sent back to parent club Chelsea next month, Wagner said: “He’s not in the best form at the minute and it is up to us to help him get into it, so he can help us going forward.
“It’s just like Joe Lolley has done very well and so it makes no sense to speak about players who are not in the matchday squad but, instead, about those that have been performing.”