Daniel Stendel was pleased with his team’s performance in their 0-0 draw at Wigan Athletic despite missing seven first team players through injury.
The Reds had the better chances in the game and were much-improved from the 3-1 home loss to Luton Town a week earlier. Head coach Stendel said: “I think we can be satisfied with our performance. With a lot of injuries, it was not so easy for the guys to play a good game. It was a good performance and a clean sheet with a new back four and goalkeeper.
“We had three or four big chances to win the game and we are a little bit disappointed not to win it. But their goalkeeper saved three good chances and Wigan had a good chance in the last minute as well, which I thought was offside.”
Both central midfielders Alex Mowatt and Cameron McGeehan missed the game with injuries. Stendel said: “We heard in the morning that Alex had no chance to play and Cameron couldn’t play as of yesterday. I think Alex can play in two weeks, he has a little bit of pain in his neck and he cannot move his neck. Cameron has an injury from defending set pieces in training. I hope both he will be back in two weeks as well as Cauley Woodrow and Jacob Brown then we have more options.”
Defender Toby Sibbick was used in central midfield for the first time. Stendel said: “Toby has very similar performances at right-back, centre-back and left-back. We can trust him in every position. I am happy that Mads and Aapo kept a clean sheet. After they both got early yellow cards we thought we might have to substitute one or maybe two.”
Sibbick added: “Going away from home after last week, we knew it would be a tough ask. We knew it would be a battle because they have been struggling and we have not had the results we wanted. With the injuries we have got, we can be really happy with a point. We could have got all three.
“We had a few chances. Ben (Williams) flashed a cross in for Pat (Schmidt) and he almost scored, Mama (Thiam) had a great strike in the first half and we had a few chances in the second half as well but that’s football.
“I only found out today at the pre-match meal that I would be playing in midfield. The gaffer said to me last week that he could see me playing in midfield but I didn’t really read into it, then it happened. I had to learn quickly and I think I adjusted well.
“As a kid, I played there a few times but it was never my first position and this was the first time I played there as a professional. As a defensive player, I won a lot of second balls and started moves going forward for the team. "
Dimitri Cavare returned to the side after being left out of the last two squads. Stendel said: “I thought ‘oh yeah, we have Dimi and he can play.’ No, we did not forget him. He played well and we know he can play like that. He was a big part of this good game today. He is a very good player for us and when he shows the right attitude in the games and training he will help us.”
Ben Williams was sent off for a tackle in the 91st minute. Stendel said: “He is very down in the changing room. I think his game is very sharp in every duel. He won a lot of balls but this time he came one second too late. It was the decision from the referee but I am not disappointed about his game, he played well.”
