Honesty is Sheffield Wednesday's best policy as Henrik Pedersen looks to move on from derby disappointment
Henrik Pedersen says it is important Sheffield Wednesday do not sugarcoat their derby-day performance as they prepare for a trip to Millwall, but nor should they get it out of proportion.
From an Owls perspective, their 3-0 defeat at home to Sheffield United on Sunday was a huge let-down.
Scoring early through Tyrese Campbell allowed the Blades to control the game even out of possession, allowing the Owls more of the ball without facing a shot on target.
Wednesday have now gone 10 matches without a win, five since the morale-boost of Dejphon Chansiri relinquishing control, which has set a new benchmark for their biggest crowd of the season in each of the three home games.
It is hardly surprising such a small squad – hit by an injury to Dominic Iorfa on Sunday – with many players experiencing regular Championship football for the first time is struggling, but manager Pedersen says they cannot use that as an excuse to duck the issues laid bare at Hillsborough on Sunday.
"I think we have to be honest," said the Dane. "We don't need to make the performance better than it is. We also don't need to make it worse.
"On Monday they saw some clips together and then in small groups or individually, as we always do, to learn from this performance.
"This is the tactical, technical (side), and then we'll also speak about mentally in this performance.
"We don't have to make it nicer or better. We also don't need to make it worse.
"We have to be as honest as possible and then speak about it, as we always do.
"We can always speak about opponents, but the first thing we're speaking about is ourselves. Have we used the potential we have in this game? I think we all have the feeling that we have missed it a bit.
"We will combine this (analysis) with what challenge do we have Wednesday evening in Millwall?
"They will get as little input (feedback) as possible, but enough to be ready on Wednesday."
Pedersen spoke about his team struggling with United's directness at times – a worry heading to Millwall, who are traditionally strong at that side of the game.
"On the ball, it was very direct and they (Sheffield United) were strong in these phases,” reflected Pedersen. “But in the organised build-up, they didn't create anything. I think they were strong in the pressing.
"They scored two offensive transitions (counter-attacks) and a shot from... I don't know, 25m, 30m (for the third goal, from Tom Cannon).
"Millwall can play football in many ways. They play different formations, but generally they are very strong in the direct game, in the second-ball game and in the set-pieces game.
"On Sunday we got a lot of training in this and we have to use this training for Wednesday."
Central defender Iorfa was substituted late in a first half having been clearly struggling with a back problem for some time during the game.
"He dropped down on his back," explained Pedersen of the moment which ended his afternoon. "I think he had done it before (in the game) and then the docs said that we should change him.
"I don't know (how serious it is). "
It meant a debut for Liam Cooper, signed as a free agent in the international break having been without a club since he was released by CSKA Sofia at the end of last season.
The former Leeds United and Hull City defender had been due to play for the Under-21s against Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday, but his absence suggests he could replace Iorfa in Wednesday's first XI having impressed Pedersen in the derby.
"Without playing games for I don't know how many months (four) and then have a test Monday, have two easy training (sessions on) Tuesday, Wednesday off, Thursday and then two sessions, Friday and Saturday. I think he gave us a strong performance," he said.