Danny Röhl response to Portsmouth win shows stretch for higher Sheffield Wednesday standards

Goals from Josh Windass and Michael Smith turned around a 1-0 half-time deficit to ensure the Owls took three points from the south coast to elevate themselves into the top half of the Championship table. It extends their run of form to one defeat in six matches.

The first half saw Wednesday struggle for any fluidity as attacks broke down. Connor Ogilvie scored from an uncleared corner to put rock bottom Pompey a goal to the good on the stroke of half-time. Röhl made two changes to the side and instructed a tweak in their playing style and it paid off, sparking wild celebrations in the packed-out away end.

Speaking after the match, the German coach was delighted at their second comeback win on the road in as many matches, but made no secret of his displeasure at what he saw in the first half.

“It was a strong comeback from 1-0 down,” Röhl said. “First half we had some moments and it was OK but there were too many ball-losing situations and we knew the key to winning the game was second balls and that is the reason we changed things in the second half, there was the subs but also the tactical side.

“I am very happy for my team, especially after the game on Tuesday, to come back on Friday again it’s not easy. But that is two times in a row now after Coventry. I heard it was eight years ago the last time (Wednesday came from behind away from home), it is good and shows a development. But of course we have to improve the first half. We cannot lose so many balls and not be comfortable to dictate the game. We have goals. We want to improve, we want to be strong and we have to work on it.”

Asked what was said and what changed in the Owls changing room at the break, Röhl said: “I said we had turned it around at Coventry and that we could do it again, but for this we needed to change two things; we had to win more second balls and push the midfield more as a three with Josh, Barry and three. This gave us more control and we showed the spaces we could keep the ball and be more calm. We had more calmness than the first half, we kicked too many long balls and we did not have an understanding of where we had space.

“You felt it from minute to minute. In the end the opponent goes for it and we should not forget they had a big, big chance for the equaliser. We would then not be speaking about a win, it would again be about an unlucky defeat and we are not clinical and all those things. We can be happy but we have to improve.”