Sheffield Wednesday lose 1-0 to Portsmouth at Hillsborough
Wednesday struggle to find form in another home defeat
Sheffield Wednesday’s troubles in the Championship continued as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Portsmouth at Hillsborough.
Portsmouth’s Adrian Segecic scored the decisive goal in the second half, securing three points for the visitors. Wednesday’s only league win this season came against Portsmouth back in September, but the Owls couldn’t repeat that success this time around.
Speaking after the match, Pompey manager John Mousinho praised his team's second-half performance.
“We came here to win the game and we've come away with three really big points,” Mousinho said.
“This is a much harder place to come than people give Wednesday credit for. We know they haven't won here this season but they've put in some strong performances.
“They put out a really good squad in terms of Championship quality. I have a huge amount of sympathy for Wednesday with the situation they’re in, but it’s tough as the opposition when you're just expected to show up and win.
“I thought we were poor in the first half; we were too sloppy in possession. Wednesday were better than us without either side creating too many chances.
“I thought the performance in the second half, especially after our goal, was excellent.
“We could’ve been more clinical going forward but Nicolas (Schmid) didn’t have a save to make, so I’m really pleased we saw the game out in that way.”
Wednesday’s head coach Henrik Pedersen reflected on their performance, acknowledging the challenges they face going forward.
“In the first half it was a very equal game,” Pedersen said.
“We tried to press a bit higher than usual and we made a lot of good interceptions high up the pitch.
“I think before the goal the second half was also very equal. We knew they would be more direct and we dealt with it until they scored on the transition.
“The game went flat after the goal and we never really got back into it.
“We are looking better and better in possession but we still have a difficulty creating big chances. That last pass, last cross, last movement is still a challenge for us.
“I asked my players to be brave on the ball and they were, sometimes even too brave.
"Getting a win is going to be difficult but not impossible; we have to keep on going.
“I saw some good progression today, we looked more comfortable on the ball and at times we played well through the press.”
Wednesday will return to action on 17th January, when they take on Birmingham.