'We don't have energy' - Henrik Pedersen explains Sheffield Wednesday approach vs Southampton amid criticism
Sheffield Wednesday’s defensive approach in the first half of their 3-1 defeat to Southampton attracted some criticism.
Manager Henrik Pedersen has outlined behind his thinking behind Sheffield Wednesday’s tactical approach in their 3-1 defeat to Southampton at Hillsborough on Saturday afternoon.
Wednesday were condemned to a 12th successive Championship defeat at the hands of the play-off chasing Saints after goals either side of half-time from James Bree, Ryan Manning and Taylor Harwood-Bellis sealed a third successive away win for the visitors.
The Owls, who had faced Norwich City at Carrow Road less than 72 hours earlier, approached the first half by sitting in a deep, low block, allowing Southampton to dictate possession. Tonda Eckert’s men ended the first half having enjoyed 70 per cent of the ball.
Wednesday, of course, have struggled to build sustained attacks and take many games to the opposition this season, but they took a particularly cautious approach to the first half against Southampton, who were 5-0 winners over QPR in midweek, meaning they produced a first half xG (expected goals) of just 0.16 and found themselves 2-0 down at the break.
Pedersen described Southampton as a team that has the “strongest squad in the league”, meaning he did not want to risk going with an open, attack-minded approach, fearful Wednesday could be cut wide open. Two set pieces - the second phase at a corner and a free-kick - unlocked them.
Explaining Wednesday’s approach, Pedersen told The Star: “When we played away in Southampton, we had also a very positive intention in the first half to go high and to press, but we were 2-1 down at the break. It's a balance to stay in the game, so when we come out for the second half we still have something to play for.
“We knew that we had five players who played 90 minutes and that it's always a tough beginning until you come well into the game. So we spoke and said, ‘Okay, the first 20 minutes, if we can stay very solid, we want a goal kick to go high’.
“When the goalkeeper stays with the ball at his feet, or he grabs the ball, we want to go high and here we had some really good pressing also. In the organised press, I think we created one bigger chance in the first half. But besides this, we were well-organised, and they worked really well, the boys.
“The challenge in the first half was when we won the ball was that it was difficult to stay on the ball. I think in that break we had some good changes from the tactical side so we were better on the ball when we won the ball, but we were also better on the ball in general in our build-up.”
Wednesday improved after the break
Wednesday offered a better version of themselves after the break, so much so they halved the deficit when Jerry Yates headed in his first goal in Wednesday colours. The Owls also narrowed the difference in the possession stats in the second half, enjoying 43 per cent of the ball, and registered more shots (seven) than the Saints (six).
Although it was not enough to prevent another defeat, Pedersen was encouraged by his side’s second half showing.
He continued: “I said to the boys after the game, that I'm hating to lose a football game, but I'm so proud of you. I really think that they put everything in what they have today.
“And, of course, in the third game, we don't have energy just to go, go, go, go, go. To press a team like Southampton, everything has to be perfect. Otherwise, they play through and they have so much individual quality.
“But I really think that the second half, that we had more high press. We won the ball higher up. We also had some good transitions. And you could see with one nil that the players keep on going.”
On more disappointment at set-pieces, the Owls boss added: “Of course it’s disappointing. But we also have to look [at the fact] our players play against the best players in the league, and it's a tough job to play one-vs-one against them.
“But, of course, it's sad when you compete so well in an open game. And this was the third game in six days. Norwich had one extra day off than us. Southampton the same.
“So to compete in an open game against them, it is very, very positive. And, of course, to concede on set-pieces, yes [it’s disappointing]. But this is how it is right now.”