Supporters have been dismayed by manager Neil Warnock’s pessimism about getting a deal done for a new centre-forward, but the manager found positives among the frustrations
Despite previously expressing his regret at missing out on many prospective targets, Terriers manager Neil Warnock says that it is ‘not all doom and gloom’ at the club if they are unable to recruit the striker they want on transfer deadline day.
Huddersfield Town have started the season winless despite some encouraging displays in between disappointing defeats at Plymouth Argyle and at home to Norwich City, but Warnock was able to find positives to point to alongside his concerns.
There are a pair of impending injury returns in David Kasumu and Tom Lees, but neither is likely to be risked against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, as well as enticing attacking alternatives.
When asked if he’ll be relieved to see the window closed, Warnock answered, “Well, I will, but [having the window open] hasn’t really affected me much, has it, really?” We’ve lost 23 players since the end of last season and signed four, so you just have to do the best you can with what you’ve got, and I believe that’s what we’re doing.
“I think the staff and I have properly prepared for it. We have some good players, but we need to get more out of them and assist them limit their mistakes. Because the squad is small, I believe it is critical to bring in players like David [Kasumu] and Tom [Lees].
“If we don’t get a striker in, we’ve got to ask the young lads to step up to the plate, and Delano [Burgzorg] – he’s done well in training this week as well.”
“The lad’s been playing on his own and hasn’t seen much of the ball really: we’ve kept it well enough to give him opportunities, but we haven’t had that extra pass that I’m hoping Ben Wiles gives us,” the manager says of Danny Ward. It’s a thankless job for Danny, but fortunately for him, I’m his biggest admirer.
“Wherever I’ve had Danny, he’s always been criticised, if I’m honest. He’s that type of player: he tries hard and sometimes he needs a goal to get up and going, and he hasn’t managed to do that yet. But the effort, I’m really delighted in Danny, how much effort he’s putting in – as I am all the lads. I don’t think there’s anybody shirking a
