David Wagner is more sure than ever that Huddersfield will secure the wins and points they need to stay out of trouble after the Terriers’ draw with Burnley.
Wagner’s side are still looking for their first victory of the season, but climbed off the bottom of the Premier League table after the 1-1 stalemate at Turf Moor and could consider themselves unfortunate not to take all three points.
Huddersfield had more than two-thirds of the possession and 19 shots to Burnley’s six, but too often were profligate in front of goal, with Christopher Schindler’s second-half header one of only two efforts on target.
Wagner said: “I’m more than confident because our performances in the last weeks are good, sometimes like this one very good. We look brave, we’ve shown great unity on the grass and in the stands.
“So we have everything apart from the first win, but we have 30 further games to get it fixed and I’m confident that we will get the points we need if we perform like we have in recent weeks consistently.”
The negative was a booking for a blatant dive by Laurent Depoitre in the second half. The striker was substituted moments later and, if Huddersfield are to survive, they will surely need their forwards to start contributing goals.
The Terriers have only managed four goals this season, three from defenders and one from a midfielder.
Depoitre, signed from Porto last summer, chipped in with six goals last season, and Wagner said: “For our strikers in general it’s the same.
“His performances in the past were very good and goals will come if you consistently perform on a high level. Points will come, goals will come. It’s not easy mentally to stay strong, to show confidence and bravery in the situations when you don’t collect the points.”
Burnley had hoped to make it three wins in a row, but failed to build on Sam Vokes’ opener.
Following on from last weekend’s scrappy victory over Cardiff, manager Sean Dyche knows his side are not playing at their best, but they are at least moving up the table after a worrying start.
“You take your 1-1, we take seven points out of nine and we say, ‘OK, we’re getting back somewhere to where we think we should be’,” said Dyche. “We’re not there, but we are getting back, and we are scoring goals again, which is pleasing.”
Burnley will hope to be boosted by the return after the international break of midfielder Steven Defour and winger Robbie Brady.
Neither has featured in the Premier League since the middle of last season when both suffered serious knee injuries.
Defour is fit and played in the Carabao Cup, but missed the Huddersfield match because of a family situation, while Brady has recovered from his knee problem but is struggling to overcome a niggling hamstring issue.
Dyche is eager to get the pair back, but said: “There’s no guarantees. We know what Steven’s capable of, we know what Robbie’s capable of.
“It’s been a tough start to the season. I think the last international break was needed and I think this one is as well. Clear their heads, let’s get going again, let’s keep working on the training pitch and keep pushing.”