
Henrik Pedersen saluted the tremendous input from his Wednesday youngsters after they battled their way to last night’s EFL penalty shootout victory at Bolton.
Wednesday lined up with a defensive central three of Joe Emery, Ernie Weaver and scorer Reece Johnson all making their debuts.
Added to that, in midfield Bruno Fernandes and Jarvis Thornton also made their first senior appearances.
Pedersen said: “They did it all together and had discipline for the tactical gameplan.
“They were very tired at the end but they kept on going and the mentality was top right to the end, you then win on penalties and I have big respect for them all.
“We spoke before the game about it being a big evening, there were players that had never been in the squad before but were in the starting eleven – and they will never forget the experience.
“To have a game like this and the support from the fans, they will never forget it.”
Sidelined defender Di’Shon Bernard was at the game, particularly to support the youngsters, and Pedersen also praised the regular first-teamers in the squad, saying: “To see the senior players with the youngsters, supporting, speaking with them before the game from the heart and celebrating with them after the game. It was fantastic.”