John Mousinho lauds Portsmouth’s second-half performance at Sheffield Wednesday

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho praised his side’s second-half performance as they beat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 at Hillsborough.

The Owls may have fancied their chances as their only league win in an otherwise miserable season came against the visitors back in September but Adrian Segecic’s second-half goal was enough to give Pompey the victory.

Mousinho said: “We came here to win the game and we’ve come away with three really big points. This is a much harder place to come than people give Wednesday credit for.

“We know they haven’t won here this season but they’ve put in some strong performances. They put out a really good squad in terms of Championship quality.

“I have a huge amount of sympathy for Wednesday with the situation they’re in but it’s tough as the opposition when you’re just expected to show up and win.

“I thought we were poor in the first half; we were too sloppy in possession. Wednesday were better than us without either side creating too many chances.

“I thought the performance in the second half, especially after our goal, was excellent. We could’ve been more clinical going forward but Nicolas (Schmid) didn’t have a save to make so I’m really pleased we saw the game out in that way.

“I felt confident but not comfortable because it only takes one slip to change the game – we had to stay totally focused.

“We know what the Championship is like, other teams around the bottom three are capable of putting a run together. We just have to keep going and get as many points as possible.”

Sheffield Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen said getting another win in the Championship this season will be “difficult but not impossible”.

Pedersen said: “In the first half it was a very equal game. We tried to press a bit higher than usual and we made a lot of good interceptions high up the pitch.

“I think before the goal the second half was also very equal. We knew they would be more direct and we dealt with it until they scored on the transition. The game went flat after the goal and we never really got back into it.

“We are looking better and better in possession but we still have a difficulty creating big chances. That last pass, last cross, last movement is still a challenge for us.

“I asked my players to be brave on the ball and they were, sometimes even too brave. Maybe we were too risky in our possession but I can only praise my players for trying.

“Getting a win is going to be difficult but not impossible, we have to keep on going. I saw some good progression today, we looked more comfortable on the ball and at times we played well through the press.

“We know that all teams are strong in the Championship. There are no easy games, especially not for us.

“Everyone at the club is doing their absolute best. Of course we’re disappointed we haven’t come away with something but we will try to make a good game plan for Tuesday and go again against Birmingham.”