Dave Jones described the Owls’ second half performance as “relentless” following Wednesday’s dramatic comeback at Pride Park on Saturday.
Having fallen 2-0 behind in a lacklustre opening to the game against Derby, the Owls battled back with goals from Chris O’Grady and Reda Johnson to salvage a point from the Championship opener.
And boss Jones said: “We were relentless in that second half, absolutely relentless.
“We came back to get a point which we totally deserved and in fact I think we could have got all three.
“Their keeper has made two incredible saves at the end and but for that, we would have won the game.
“But the fans behind that goal sucked the ball in for Reda’s goal. They were absolutely magnificent and when they were bouncing away, I can tell you I have never seen anything like it. Never, ever.
“They will have to check the foundations in the stadium after that, it was incredible and I am so pleased for them that we got something from the game.”
Jones said it was a case of “welcome to the Championship” in the early throes of the contest as the Owls fell behind to goals from Nathan Tyson and Jake Buxton.
But the Wednesday chief said once his side shook off the nerves, they grew into the game and were unlucky not to emerge with a travelling triumph.
He added: “It was a shaky start and I think that was down to nerves.
“Listen, these boys have earned the right to play at this level and of course they are going to be nervous.
“But they settled into the game and then dominated that second half completely. Derby couldn’t get the ball out of their half just like we couldn’t in the first part of the first half.
“Rhys McCabe grew into it as the game went on and he finished up bossing the midfield.
“He was probing, he was passing and I was really pleased with his performance.
“But I was pleased with all of them, they can be proud of themselves after that second half and now we move on to Birmingham on Tuesday because the games will come thick and fast.”