The Owls and the Hatters played out a 0-0 draw at S6 on Saturday afternoon, with the away side certainly creating the better chances on what was a difficult game for the home side.
Stockport missed a few big chances to take all three points, but despite not claiming victory their manager was pleased with how they conducted themselves. Henrik Pedersen, meanwhile, bemoaned the lack of speed that his team played with.
Here’s part of what the two men in charge had to say…
Henrik Pedersen
“I think we played against a very strong Stockport team. I think it’s for sure the best team we have played against this season. We knew they would be a strong offensive team. They are strong in possession, but it’s also a team who create a lot of chances and have scored a lot of goals.
“I think the first half we were too passive. We changed it and second half we were much more dominant in the pressing and had many more good pressing situations, many more times where we won the ball. We have to take the next step and be stronger.
“I think offensively in the first half we struggled to get enough speed in the ball, but also patience enough to move them around and then speed up the game where we end up playing too many long balls, so we end up having a second ball game.
“Second half was better. We were much more brave to play and we had many more situations where we came high up on the pitch. But of course we want to create more and this is what we are working on.”
Jimmy McNulty
“We don't need to come here with any sort of imposter syndrome that we're not capable of winning 3-0. And today's performance was still worthy of a win, so don't take this too far.
“But it's my job to push these guys to capacity, and I think they're capable of more. I think if we had a bit more belief, I think we don't end up with the same amount of shots on target today when we had three times more shots than the opponent in general…
“Sheffield Wednesday, huge gargantuan club. The atmosphere is amazing, but we dreamed of playing here when we were boys. I dreamed of managing here. I want the dream to become reality when we actually come here. I don't think we need to feel too inferior because I genuinely don't think we are.”
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Think Jimmy's got a bit of an inferiority complex, despite what he says. 😆
Our wins this season have come from having width left (Barry then Morrison when he got injured), so Pedo goes and changes it to put Lowe or Slattery left and suddenly whole shape of side goes belly up. Stick with what was working.