Sheffield Wednesday manager, Henrik Pedersen, wants “much more” from his team after a disappointing second consecutive 0-0 draw at home against Stockport. The Hatters dominated the first half and proved to be the better team on the day, but were ultimately unable to capitalize on their control.
The highest scoring team in the league, away to top of the table Wednesday, was billed to be a feisty free-scoring fixture, but fundamentally failed to deliver.
Stockport looked dangerous at times, but despite having 18 shots, failed to convert their chances. Harry Wood started bright, making a number of incisive passes, but squandered a good chance in the 7th minute, thundering the ball over the bar. Ben Osborn put in a number of promising crosses; Ryan Glover rattled the woodwork; and Jack Diamond looked secure and quick on the ball; however, Stockport lacked a clinical edge in the box, failing to convert their chances.
Even worse in the final third, Wednesday only managed six shots, only two of which were on target and they were both easily dealt with by young Hatters goalkeeper Oliver Whatmuff. Overloaded in the midfield by Stockport, especially in the first half, the Owls were forced to resort to a lot of long balls that amounted to very little.
Shortly after half-time Pedersen reorganised his attack replacing Mason Burstow with 17-year-old Harry Gray, and shifting Jamal Lowe from the left wing to his more preferred central role. He then also hooked Davis Keillor-Dunn, bringing on 19-year-old Kieran Morrison, another more natural winger. After the game Pedersen concluded that these changes proved effective with both the young wingers performing “very well” in an improved second half attacking display. While the Owls did get better in the second half, they still lacked the end product.
Jason Adigun came on for Stockport and made an instant impact with a run into the box and a promising shot just wide of the far post within 5 minutes of his addition. In spite of a number of attacking substitutions, both teams were unable to break the deadlock.
Stockport manager Jim McNulty, while proud of their performance, seemed slightly deflated at his team’s inability to capitalize on their early dominance. He argued that while they had “real quality” and “Courage and Personality to a point”; they are “capable of more” stating that with hope and a stronger mentality “we can come here and win 3-0”. Away to the league leaders, a point is not bad, but it’s clear that Stockport was in the driving seat and with more “belief” McNulty felt his side could have left with all three points.
As the only goalless draw today in England’s top 3 leagues, it left supporters wanting more. The home support at Hillsborough was full-throated in the buildup, with 32,290 fans bringing a strong atmosphere at the outset. However, the drab performance didn’t give them much to cheer about, with a cacophony of boos and jeers flooding the ground at both half time and at the full-time whistle.
Pedersen praised a “very very strong” Stockport side, but admitted that his team needs to be more dominant and aggressive. He did, however, request patience, emphasising that it will “take time” for his young “hungry” team to improve, and fully integrate Wednesday’s 18 new players. Pedersen remains “confident” that his team will soon develop with a quicker, more fluid attacking side that will “score a lot of goals”.
Image credits – Stockport County Facebook Page
