Jos Luhukay praises hard-working Sheffield Wednesday after Derby win

Posted Wednesday, February 14, 2018 by PA

Jos Luhukay revealed his admiration for Sheffield Wednesday’s perseverance in the last few weeks as they secured their first win under his guidance in the Sky Bet Championship by defeating Derby.

The Owls had not triumphed in the league since Boxing Day, when they won at Nottingham Forest, but Luhukay claims his charges have shown no lack of application despite results not going their way.

That was rewarded on Tuesday night as a goal in either half from Lucas Joao secured a 2-0 victory over Derby.

Bradley Johnson, Matej Vydra and Andreas Weimann all spurned chances to offer Derby a lifeline but none of them could produce the end product, leaving Luhukay to reflect on a hard-earned triumph.

He said: “I am very happy, first for my team and of course all of our fans. It wasn’t an easy game, it was a very difficult game, but we tried to give the best.

“In the first half, the first 20 to 25 minutes, we had good control and we made a good goal. It was also important, as we didn’t have many chances but we made the second goal, which for the mental situation of my team was very important.

“Then we had to be very hard-working, fighting for a good result at the end. I must say this team gives every day, every game, 100 per cent.

“I think we were highly effective. Our chances, I think we maybe had three chances and we scored two goals but in the last games we’ve had more, many more chances, and we forgot to score and you cannot win then.”

Wednesday started positively and were rewarded in the 18th minute. Jack Hunt brought down Adam Reach’s lofted pass well before rolling the ball to Joao, who slotted into the bottom right corner first time.

Joao then doubled Wednesday’s advantage after cutting inside and unleashing a thunderous shot into the bottom right again two minutes into the second half.

Derby boss Gary Rowett downplayed the significance of his side’s loss.

He said: “Firstly, it’s our first defeat since November, first defeat in 13 or 14 games so you know, I’m certainly not going to be too downhearted.

“The reality is we’ve given away two, not poor goals – the two finishes are excellent – but the first goal for Hunt to get in between Fossy (Craig Forsyth) and Jonno (Bradley Johnson). They knew straight away they made a mistake and it’s a good finish by Joao and then it probably took us 20 minutes to get going, in truth.

“Then again, to concede such a poor goal straight away in the second half.

“I thought Joao was excellent, I thought at times he was unplayable.

“It shows he’s very unpredictable and difficult to get the ball off. I thought he was very good but to allow him to turn and allow him to have that much space, it’s very unlike us and of course it’s a fantastic finish.”