Huddersfield Town v Middlesbrough: Playing his own game and other things learned from David Wagner's pre-match press conference

David Wagner continues to impress in his media briefings, and he was full of positivity ahead of Huddersfield Town 's clash with Middlesbrough and his first game in front of the home Town support.

Here are five things we learned from the German's pre-match press conference.

1. Steer until Christmas

Town have confirmed the r e-signing of Aston Villa goalkeeper Jed Steer on loan until Boxing Day - and he is likely to be starting for the majority of that time.

No.1 Joe Murphy picked up an ankle injury against Sheffield Wednesday, and Wagner confirmed he is due to miss the next few weeks of the season in the run-up to Christmas.

Said the boss: "Murphy has an ankle injury, which is four weeks.

"It was a good chance to bring Jed back again. The possibility of him coming back was part of our conversation when he went back.

"At that time it was better to go back, but now he is back to work!

"He knows us and our methods and expectations.

"He is here until Boxing Day, and we are not looking any further than that at the moment."

2. He's happy with the squad

The emergency loan window is set to slam shut on Thursday afternoon. James Vaughan has agreed a temporary move to Birmingham City until January, but Wagner was quick to dismiss the idea that any other players would come in.

Town go into the weekend clash with Middlesbrough missing Harry Bunn through suspension and Joel Lynch and Philip Billings with injury, while Muzzy Carayol is ineligible under the terms of his loan.

But Wagner maintains he has confidence in the quality of the squad already at his disposal.

He declared: "It is never nice to be missing players, but we have enough quality in the squad. In some areas I must make choices, but it's my job and I am very happy I have to make decisions.

"I am very pleased Jamie Paterson is back. He has been doing good work in training, has built up his fitness and got quicker in his head."

3. He's focused on his own style, not the opposition

The fixture list has handed Wagner a tough assignment against one of the Championship's high fliers for his first home game in charge of the Terriers.

Middlesbrough have lost just four games all season and are pushing hard for promotion, but the boss maintains that he won't be changing his style or his philosophy depending on the identity of the opposition.

"I respect them and their manager, but in the end I look at it from our view," he revealed.

"I have a lot of trust in my team, and we want to build on what we did against Sheffield, and make another step.

"I am very happy to have this game. We will play the same way, all that changes is where we try to build up our fighting zone, whether it is higher
or deeper.

"We will try to play our game, home or away. The plan is for speed, passion, to go full throttle, have a good transition game and show the fans we are working hard. At the end, hopefully it will be the right result."

4. Fans can play a part

Wagner paid tribute to the away end at Hillsborough last weekend, and is clearly relishing his first appearance in front of the home fans at the John Smith's Stadium against Boro.

The boss said the team have a responsibility to excite the fans.

But he was clear that the crowd can help their team on at crucial points in the game.

"We must make the crowd loud," he said. "

"The fans can help us a lot and push as at the right moment. But we have to make them excited."

5. Patience is required

Huddersfield will be targeting the full complement of points when they host Boro - but the boss believes it is important to look at the bigger picture.

The new style the German wants to see from his players is still in its infancy.

They are heading in the right direction on the training ground, but it remains a work in progress and supporters may have to exercise some patience.

He said: "Progress happens every day. We are a few steps further now and you can see that.

"Now we have to bring it onto the pitch.

"We have analysed the good and the bad of last week, and worked on the not so good moments.

"Our fitness is developing every day, we always work at it and it automatically develops with training.

"In the end we will get our results, I am sure.

"We didn't get the result in Sheffield, but now we have another chance."