The Owls slipped to an injury-time defeat at St Andrew’s and there were some contrasting individual displays on show.
When Gary Hooper slotted in to give Sheffield Wednesday the lead at Birmingham on Saturday, it looked as if Carlos Carvalhal’s men were on their way to a third successive Championship victory.
A late collapse, however, saw the lead turned on its head and the Owls ended up leaving the Midlands with nothing thanks to Lukas Jutkiewicz’s last-gasp header. Who were Wednesday’s top performers, and which three need to improve?
Impressed – Adam Reach
The club-record signing was brought in from Middlesbrough primarily to play on the wing, but a defensive reshuffle brought about by Sam Hutchinson’s midweek red card saw the 23-year-old asked to do a job at left-back at St Andrew’s.
It was a job that Reach did well, as he looked defensively sound and carried a significant threat going forward. Owls fans will hope to see him causing opposing defences bother from a more attacking role as the season goes on, but Carvalhal will be pleased to know that he now has another option at full-back if required.
Impressed – Liam Palmer
On the other side, Liam Palmer came in for Jack Hunt at right-back and was a standout performer for the visitors in an otherwise lacklustre first half display. A dangerous low cross nearly provided Wednesday with their opener, and the 24-year-old dealt effectively with former Owls winger Jacques Maghoma.
Palmer’s impact lessened as the game wore on, and his display in the second period was not as assured. Carvalhal is sure to rotate Palmer and Hunt in the right-back slot throughout the season, but the former did his chances of being considered the first choice no harm this weekend.
Impressed – Barry Bannan
The Scotland international oozes class in the Wednesday midfield, and his range of passing started several ultimately fruitless attacks at St Andrew’s. Never afraid to put a foot in, Bannan has developed into an integral part of Carvalhal’s side and brings energy and quality to the Owls engine room.
Bannan excelled in a deeper role in the first period, where he was happy collecting the ball from the centre halves and trying to get his side going. Whilst he ultimately couldn’t inspire his side to three points, the former Aston Villa man will be crucial if Wednesday are to replicate last season’s top six finish.
Disappointed – Almen Abdi
The Czech midfielder was one of Wednesday’s most exciting summer signings and arrived with Championship pedigree having played a key role in Watford’s promotion two seasons ago. This weekend, however, was the latest in a series of underwhelming performances as Abdi continues to struggle for Carvalhal’s side.
Abdi’s most impressive performances for Watford came from a central role, so it is perhaps not surprising that he is not having the same impact from the left hand side. With fellow new arrival Adam Reach a natural fit on the left wing, maybe it is time for the Owls boss to stop putting square pegs in round holes and give the gifted former Hornet a run out in his preferred position if the Wednesday faithful are to see the best of him.
Disappointed – Fernando Forestieri
The debate continues to rumble on in S6 about how August’s transfer saga involving Forestieri has affected both himself and the team. A goal last weekend against Wigan raised hopes that he was getting back to his best, but last season’s star man was relatively anonymous in the Midlands this weekend.
Forestieri spurned a great chance to open the scoring early on when he could only fire straight at the goalkeeper having been played in on goal, and his afternoon got no better after that. He tangled with Michael Morrison, saw his flicks come to nothing and offered little from the wing following the introduction of Gary Hooper down the middle. Whether he is still distracted or simply had an off day, Owls fans will be hoping their Italian maestro can soon return to the form that made him such a star last season.
Disappointed – Glenn Loovens
This was the captain’s first appearance of the season, and it showed. The centre-back looked rusty and off the pace for most of the game at St Andrew’s; indeed, he was lucky to avoid giving away a penalty in the first half after a late challenge on Jacques Maghoma that went unpunished.
His second half display was no more convincing. Loovens was cautioned for a foul on Clayton Donaldson before positioning himself two yards behind the rest of the back four and playing Lukas Jutkiewicz onside for the winning goal in stoppage time. With Vincent Sasso waiting in the wings and Sam Hutchinson to return from suspension, it was not the ideal time for Loovens to put in a below-par display.
Who were your standout performers for Wednesday this weekend, and who needs to do more? Leave your comments below.
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