David Wagner has pledged to use the next three weeks to boost his Huddersfield Town players’ fitness levels after the late collapse at Sheffield Wednesday.
The new head coach’s charges led from the 53rd to the 78th minute in his first match at the helm before the home side took control to claim the points.
With just one point taken from the last 15 available, Town are 21st in the Championship and above the drop zone only on goal difference.
Next up, in Wagner’s first home match on Saturday, are third-placed Middlesbrough, when Harry Bunn will serve a one-match ban after picking up a fifth booking of the season.
The German team chief said the need to bolster fitness was one of the biggest lessons from Hillsborough, where Sean Scannell put Town ahead with his first goal of the season.
He accepts it’s more difficult during the season, but said the absence of a midweek match until Tuesday December 15, when Rotherham United visit, is helpful.
“We have to do it to play our way,” said Wagner, referring to his “full-throttle” pressing system. “And we will do it, because it’s one of the biggest problems we have.
Town v SWFC
“The players have taken the first step in improving fitness and our work will carry on.
“We have three weeks without a midweek match, and we have to use them well, because after that, it’s game after game for a few weeks.”
Wagner said he was disappointed by the scoreline but accepted Wednesday deserved to win because of the way they finished the game.
“We were okay for 70 minutes, but we have to work on our final 20,” he explained.
“We now have new information having seen how players react in a game situation, with a crowd and more pressure than in training.
“There were good things, but also things we have to work on, and we will do because it’s our job.”
Town Under 21s chase a 10th straight win when they face Bolton Wanderers in a Professional Development League II game at the John Smith’s Stadium on Monday (1.00).
