Despite a painful 2-1 home defeat to Millwall F.C., Sheffield Wednesday F.C. manager Henrik Pedersen remains adamant that his squad is making tangible progress. Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield, the Danish coach insisted his players are moving in the right direction, even as another loss was confirmed at Hillsborough.

Owls demonstrate fight against promotion hopefuls

Millwall dominated much of Saturday afternoon’s game, but Wednesday startled the visitors around the hour mark when Jamal Lowe reacted first to a loose ball, putting the hosts ahead.

However, the advantage was not long-lasting. Cole McGhie’s late own goal, followed by a decisive strike from Macaulay Langstaff, turned the game around and consigned the Owls to their 23rd league defeat of the season.

Despite the setback, Pedersen remained certain that the performance deserved commendation.

“I believe it was a wonderful game for the boys. We played against a good Millwall squad, a quality Championship team, and we knew they were one of the most physical teams in the league in terms of set-pieces, long balls, second balls, and duels. Our players deserve a lot of credit for how they handled themselves today. We were quite well-organized on defense, and we managed all of the long balls as well as a large number of second balls. Today, unlike in previous games, we had some power when we won the ball to play forward, run forward, get high up on the pitch, and create something, which is a major step in the right way.”

Tactical resilience during a harsh season

Pedersen, 48, is committed to Danish football principles such as structure, organization, and fearlessness in duels. He praised his players for standing up to what he considers the Championship’s most physically dominant team, particularly in dealing with aerial deliveries and second balls.

While the outcome adds another defeat to a gloomy campaign, the performance suggested a fresh resilience that had been lacking during the bleak winter stretch.

Sheffield Wednesday are still at the bottom of the Championship table as of 15 February 2026, having won only one league game this season.

Much of their difficulties originates from a harsh 18-point punishment for financial mismanagement and administration – a sanction that effectively ended their survival effort before it even begun.

With relegation worries all but guaranteed, pride might be the overriding drive on the field.

Away from it, supporters are increasingly focused on the proposed takeover by billionaire James Bord and his group, which they hope would mark the beginning of a long-awaited renovation.