Town left it late before grabbing a brace of goals in the last 15 minutes to claim a 2-0 win and consign Wednesday to another defeat – their 15th of the season at home. They are yet to win a single game at Hillsborough.
Ivan Azon gave Town the lead (Image: Ross Halls)
Pedersen said: “I think we really gave it a go today, and we knew to play against Ipswich, they have an individual team, maybe the most interesting and the best individual team in the league, and then pair this with a top manager, then we have a really, really good cocktail, so it was a big job for the boys today.
“And then we also knew that the intensity will be a key thing, and the third game in a week, we also knew to have this mental together with the body, it could be a challenge, and after seven, eight minutes where the body really starts to work, then I think we came really good into the game and we played a really, really strong defensively in the first half.
“It was difficult for them in the first half, and we had some good transition where we also could have created something.
“Second half, we had some challenge the first six, seven minutes, we have changed something in our right side, and then we changed back again, and then we started to control, and then we had a really good period up to the goal.
“And then after this, it’s difficult to really come back against such a strong team like them, but the boys gave, again, everything on the pitch.
“As I said in the dressing room, guys, I love to see you disappointed because you want more, but I also think you have to be proud to compete against such a strong team for such a long time. It’s also strong.”
Jack Clarke scores from the spot (Image: PA)
Asked about the decision to award Town a late penalty – won and scored by Jack Clarke – he simply said: “I have not seen that again. It was not my feeling there was a penalty when I saw it in the game, but I have not seen that again.”
Pedersen also revealed he’s set to meet McKenna and his team over the international break as he prepares to try to rebuild the Owls from League One – just as the Town boss has done.
Henrik Pedersen is set to meet Town boss Kieran McKenna and his team over the upcoming international break (Image: PA)
“I think we can always learn and I think if we look back at Ipswich four years ago and what they have done, then I have the biggest respect for what they have done,” he enthused.
“One thing is on the pitch, the other thing is outside the pitch, how they have rebuilt this football club is amazing.
“So I have a meeting with him in the national team break to speak with him and the people from Ipswich about what we can learn from them and he’s a great manager, so of course I can learn something from him.”