Manager's Musings: Post-Derby

Wednesday boss Brian Laws revealed he was pleased at how the Owls have come, despite David Jones' last-minute free-kick giving Derby all three points to condemn the Owls to defeat on Saturday.

The defeat leaves Wednesday four points off the play-off spots and without a win from three in 2007 - but Laws revealed in his post-match press conference that his men have nothing to fear.

He told the official SWFC site: 'It shows the strides we've made. No disrespect, but if that's the top of the division, we've got nothing to fear. We deserved something out of the game.'

'It had a draw written all over it. They couldn't break us down - all they had was set plays. These are things you've got to take in football.'

But Wednesday slumped to defeat after a rash challenge from highly-rated young defender Tommy Spurr, who committed the foul outside the box in which Jones netted the superb winner for the Rams.

But Laws insisted the youngster will learn from his mistake and improve: 'You can't afford to give silly free-kicks away and that one moment of inexperience has cost us but young players will make mistakes. There's nobody pointing a finger at Tommy - he'll learn and get better. He's been superb.'

And the Owls gaffer was pleased that his side continued to play attractive football as they go in to the live Sky clash with Manchester City in the FA Cup Third Round replay on Tuesday night.

He added: 'Any football played was played by Sheffield Wednesday. It was just the last pass in the final third that let us down. Apart from that, we were excellent.'

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