Martin Paterson ‘really pleased’ with win and first clean sheet for Notts County
Daniel Kanu and Darius Lipsiuc scored in a 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.
Notts County manager Martin Paterson believed his side were good value for their 2-0 win over 10-man Sheffield Wednesday at Meadow Lane.
Daniel Kanu’s penalty shortly before the break and Darius Lipsiuc’s composed finish nine minutes from full-time gave Paterson’s men their first league win since August.
Wednesday ended the game with 10 men after Jamal Lowe’s sending-off and were kept at bay by the Magpies throughout, failing to register a shot on target.
“We’re delighted with that,” said Paterson.
“We started the season really competitively and then we had a little bump in the road. But tonight, we had a really good win.
“Even against 11 men I thought we were good for it, and I’m really pleased with my players.”
Paterson was also relieved to record a first clean sheet of the campaign in any competition at the 13th time of asking.
“It’s really important to do that,” he said. “[Clean sheets are] a big part of being successful, so I’m really pleased.
“We did take some risks at the end that I wasn’t quite happy with, but I think the lads should enjoy it tonight before being ready to work on Thursday.”
With that risk-averse mindset, Paterson also stressed his belief in the need to remain calm despite recording such an impressive victory over the high-flying Owls.
“It was a big win, but we’re not getting too carried away,” said the Magpies boss. “We have to stay emotionally controlled to then go again at the weekend.”
Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen believed his side’s inability to carry out the basics of the game correctly was the primary reason for defeat.
“To compete in League One, and to win a game in League One, all the basics need to be done, and for those sorts of things, we were not on the level that we have been,” he said.
“The first half was under the level for who we want to be. Our intensity in the game, our duels, and on the ball we had too many easy mistakes.”
Pedersen had little to say on the red card for Lowe which saw his side, already a goal behind, forced to play the final 40 minutes a man down too.
It came after the Wednesday man lost possession following a heavy touch and lunged in on Jacob Bedeau in a futile attempt to win it back.
“No [complaints],” said the Dane. “It’s of course not what you need, a red card when you’re 1-0 down, and Jamal knows that.
“We all know it. It was not good enough tonight, and to win football games in League One, the basics have to be right.”