Huddersfield manager David Wagner explains how his side exploited their relegation rivals West Brom

West Brom have lost their last five games in all competitions and Wagner acknowledged the lack of cohesion in their side worked in Huddersfield’s ‘favour’

Jack Watson
Sunday 25 February 2018 18:24 GMT
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West Brom are now seven points adrift at the bottom
West Brom are now seven points adrift at the bottom (Getty)

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David Wagner admitted his Huddersfield side had "spoken about" West Brom’s lack of togetherness ahead of their 2-1 win in the Premier League.

Huddersfield won just their third away game league game this season while Alan Pardew’s wait for a second league win as manager since being appointed in December continues.

West Brom, who remain rooted to the bottom of the table, have lost their last five games in all competitions and Wagner said that the lack of cohesion in their side worked in Huddersfield’s "favour."

“Of course we had spoken about it,” he said. “As long as the game was going on or we are in front, then it goes in our favour.

“Even though we had spoken about it, we have seen in the first five or ten minutes, they came out with a lot of intensity and we needed a little but to deal with it.”

Rajiv van La Parra and Steve Mounie’s goals for Huddersfield were enough to beat an uninspiring West Brom side who flirted with a late comeback after Craig Dawson headed in what turned out be nothing more than a consolation goal.

Their victory at the Hawthorns lifts Huddersfield up to 14th place and three points clear of the relegation zone, while the Baggies remain seven points adrift from safety.

Huddersfield were good value for the win
Huddersfield were good value for the win (Getty)

“To be totally honest, it’s not up to me to judge about what is positive or negative for them or how they can solve their problems,” said Wagner.

Three points for the Terriers lifts them ten points above the Premier League’s bottom side but Wagner is only focused on increasing that gap as he looks to steer Huddersfield clear of relegation in their first Premier League season.

“Ten points between them and us with ten games to go is a big gap and it’s up to us to help make sure the gap is big enough to make sure that West Brom are behind us.

“We had our dip a few weeks ago, but we have built up momentum with good results and good performances…which was good enough to beat West Brom in a very important game today.

A rare win away from home and was a huge stride towards safety said Wagner who was full of praise for is ‘inexperienced’ Premier League players.

“We are an inexperienced team and very young, in terms of the Premier League, and to show this performance under pressure is a big, big step for the players in their development.”

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