Henrik Pedersen hails Sheff Wed fight at Norwich after another testing day

Sheffield Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen felt his side had reacted to another testing day in a positive manner – despite losing 2-0 at Norwich to make it 11 successive Championship defeats.

On the day that a £47.8m preferred bid from the James Bord consortium was withdrawn, the relegated Owls turned in a battling display to restrict the hosts to a hard-fought victory that was sealed by two goals in the space of seven minutes in the latter stages of the first half.

After losing in-form striker Mo Toure with a groin injury in the early stages, the Canaries regrouped and took the lead in the 31st minute when his replacement Mathias Kvistgaarden nodded home from close range after Seny Dieng had made a brilliant stop to deny Paris Maghoma.

Seven minutes later it was 2-0 and effectively game over, when Maghoma turned his marker and curled an unstoppable drive into the far corner of the net.

“I told the players beforehand that we had to focus on the things we could control, go out there and put in a good performance together and I thought we did that,” said Pedersen.

“There were a lot of tired players out there – Norwich had an extra day to prepare – and a lot of youngsters, but they did everything they could.

“I thought for the first 20 minutes or so we got high up the pitch and gave them a good game but then we dropped a bit deeper and they got their goals.

“We also started the second half well and had a good chance.

“It was a tough game against a good side and although we lost we gave it everything, which we had to do for all the fans who came down here after relegation. I would like to say a big thank you to them and stress how much their support is appreciated.

“We all want the takeover to happen as soon as possible so we can move forward so obviously today’s news was disappointing, but I know Kris (joint administrator Kris Wigfield) has a Plan B so hopefully something will happen soon.”

Norwich manager Philippe Clement also had his problems, with Toure’s injury leaving him with just one fit striker in Kvistgaarden.

“With Mo all I can say is that it doesn’t look like he will be out for just a few days – we’ll have to wait for an assessment,” he said.

“That’s why I took Mathias off in the second half – I need him on Saturday. With all the injuries we have it is a case of being pragmatic at the moment.

“I have a good group, with everyone happy to do the job they are asked to do, and that is very important.

“I told the players beforehand that this would not be an easy game and that’s how it turned out. But we scored two good goals, kept a clean sheet and dominated the game in the second half which was pleasing.”