Sheffield Wednesday v Huddersfield Town: '˜Football is not just about attack' says Carlos Carvalhal

HEAD COACH Carlos Carvalhal insists Sheffield Wednesday should make no apologies for their ultra-cautious play-off first-leg approach at Huddersfield Town.
Carlos Carvalhal. (Picture: Steve Ellis)Carlos Carvalhal. (Picture: Steve Ellis)
Carlos Carvalhal. (Picture: Steve Ellis)

Wednesday’s risk-averse tactics helped them record a 0-0 draw in a dour all-Yorkshire stalemate on Sunday, during which the visitors failed to muster a single shot on target.

Conscious that the onus will be on the Owls to show a more attack-minded mentality in tomorrow night’s decisive second leg at Hillsborough, Carvalhal admits that his side will be seeking to rectify some “mistakes” on the offensive front.

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But overall, the Portuguese professed to being satisfied with his team’s performance – with no compulsion to justify it.

Owls boss Carlos Carvalhal joins the Wednesday players in saluting the travelling support at Huddersfield on Sunday. (Picture: Steve Ellis)Owls boss Carlos Carvalhal joins the Wednesday players in saluting the travelling support at Huddersfield on Sunday. (Picture: Steve Ellis)
Owls boss Carlos Carvalhal joins the Wednesday players in saluting the travelling support at Huddersfield on Sunday. (Picture: Steve Ellis)

Carvalhal said: “We can do better with the ball, but we defended very well. Football is not just about attacking. It is about defending as well. We did what we had to do.

“We collectively defended very well. We tried to attack and had some shots from outside the area.

“We did a similar game to this earlier in the season with efficiency to try and achieve what we want.

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“We trained to try and score, but we must give credit to Huddersfield. They blocked our attacks.

Owls boss Carlos Carvalhal joins the Wednesday players in saluting the travelling support at Huddersfield on Sunday. (Picture: Steve Ellis)Owls boss Carlos Carvalhal joins the Wednesday players in saluting the travelling support at Huddersfield on Sunday. (Picture: Steve Ellis)
Owls boss Carlos Carvalhal joins the Wednesday players in saluting the travelling support at Huddersfield on Sunday. (Picture: Steve Ellis)

“We made a few mistakes, which we will try and correct on Wednesday.

“The most important thing is that the semi-final is open and we play at Hillsborough and we have good expectations for Wednesday.”

Sunday’s encounter proved a particularly frustrating one for Owls striker Fernando Forestieri.

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A thorn in Huddersfield’s side in previous fixtures, with five goals in eight outings, he was a peripheral figure in the draw.

Despite a quiet afternoon for the Argentine, now unbeaten in nine matches against Town, Carvalhal was happy with his work ethic for the team.

On Forestieri, who made his first start since early March after being eased back into the fray with four substitute appearances following a knee injury, Carvalhal said: “We have protected him. He is doing better and better. He did okay.

“He did a good game and we are happy with him and all the attackers.

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“(Steven) Fletcher did a fantastic amount for the team and so did Jordan Rhodes.

“Fernando is a player who in one second can solve a game. He played like a team worker against Huddersfield. He worked a lot for the team and this is the main point.

“He can create something after he has worked hard.

“He fought a lot and blocked the opponents.”

Meanwhile, Carvalhal says that the Owls will monitor Gary Hooper ahead of the sell-out second leg tomorrow night and is not ruling him out of potentially being involved after the key forward missed Sunday’s first game with a hamstring injury.

On Hooper, he added: “Let’s see. He is training with the ball and he’s running. I didn’t have expectations for him to play this game.

“We will see for Wednesday.

“If we get to the final, he will be okay, absolutely sure. For Wednesday, let’s see how he progresses and how he is feeling day by day.”