Martin Drury has spoken following Huddersfield Town’s 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic
Huddersfield Town head coach Martin Drury hailed the way his players handled an unexpected challenge in their 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic.
The Latics are rooted to the bottom of the League One table, while the Terriers are sitting top of the tree.
Wigan amended their approach in their pursuit of an upset win and Huddersfield had to adapt. Drury’s men adjusted effectively and secured three points courtesy of goals from Ilias Bronkhorst and Derensili Sanches Fernandes.
Martin Drury’s assessment of Huddersfield Town win
Drury said: “It was really difficult. We watched Wigan’s last six games and prepared for how we thought they’d set up and what we expected them to do, then they turned up on the day and did something completely different.
“They played a totally different shape and played a different way, so everything we’d done in training, our players had to adapt within the game.
“We had a difficult 15 minutes trying to work it out, but I thought after that we figured it out really well and started to take control. We finished the half strongly and scored a really really good goal.
“Second half, I didn’t feel like there was a big difference in terms of chances, but when I’ve looked after the game, it looks like we were a bit more dominant than I thought in terms of numbers.
“I would have liked to execute some of those moments better and score more from it, but it’s two goals and three more points.
“They’re a well-coached side and have some really good players, and I’ve got a lot of respect for Gary, so it’s pleasing that we were able to take three points.”
The Wigan Athletic view
Wigan boss Gary Caldwell, meanwhile, said: “For 20 minutes, and as the half wore on, we became a bit less convincing in how we wanted to play, put each other under pressure and allowed them to build a bit of momentum and pressure.
“We conceded another really poor goal that we don’t expect to concede against this team. It’s not the type of goal that they score. Then second half, I thought we were the better team.
“We had a go without really creating enough and not being good enough in the final third. We conceded a poor goal on transition, which we know that Huddersfield have been really good at.
“When we were just trying to gamble for the game and change our possession shape, that’s when we lost that goal.
“We kept going, scored an amazing goal and kind of got back in the game – but it’s a game that I don’t think we made Huddersfield do enough to win.
“I think we gifted them a win when I felt, at the time, they were there for the taking.”