Some Sheffield Wednesday supporters have taken to Twitter to criticise the starting line up consisting of two holding midfielders in the defeat at Coventry City.
The Owls headed into the game knowing they must get wins on the board quickly.
Recent victories for Rotherham United, Queens Park Rangers and Derby County have opened up a gap near the bottom, with the Owls six points from safety.
Coventry started the game seven points clear of Wednesday. A win for the visitors would have brought the Sky Blues right back into danger. However, it wasn’t to be.
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The hosts ran out 2-0 winners. Wednesday rarely threatened or looked like scoring, and some Owls fans felt the midfield duo of Sam Hutchinson and Joey Pelupessy was far too defensive.
Resigned Hutchinson but still play pelupessy in a defensive team in a must win game ! Awful ! League one beckons 😬 #swfc
— john homer (@homerj71) January 27, 2021
Surely a half fit Luongo is better than a fully fit Pelupessy. He is honestly one of the worst footballers I’ve ever seen. How does he get a game #swfc
— Chris Hudson (@ChrisHuds) January 27, 2021
Not a hater at all, I think Pelupessy’s a useful squad player, but to start him and Hutch I think is an all decision and not one that helps us at all. One of them and someone more creative would have been a much better choice.
— FPL MattSWFC (@MattrpSwfc) January 27, 2021
For those wondering, it is a 4-3-3, however Bannan is pushing up further. Though, it’s been very full. We do need two up front as Windass is drifting too far wide and coming back too much – therefore losing shape. Take Pelupessy off, bring Brown or Paterson on. #SWFC https://t.co/c9LG2HH6NP
— SWFC Lineups (@SWFCLineups) January 27, 2021
Pelupessy and Borner, horrific footballers, drop Hutchinson to centre half and get Luongo and Patterson on #swfc
— Adam (@AdamM1867) January 27, 2021
I just found our starting lineup when I saw it very odd. Paterson, who’d been scoring our goals on the bench, Hutch and Pelupessy in central midfield, what’s that all about? And two very similar players up front. This was never going to work!!!
— FPL MattSWFC (@MattrpSwfc) January 27, 2021
He’s got 10 mins to get hutch and pelupessy off or TVs is going off. Awful footballers who offer nothing with the ball
— paul beal (@7ronaldo1309) January 27, 2021
Hutchinson returned to the Owls this month having left Hillsborough last summer.
The former Chelsea man is versatile and can operate both at centre-back or in midfield. Many expected him to initially provide cover at the back with Dominic Iorfa out injured for the season.
But interim manager Neil Thompson opted to go with Hutchinson and Pelupessy in midfield. In a game Wednesday must have targeted for a win, it was a backwards step.
Barry Bannan ended up dropping deeper, leaving Josh Windass completely isolated upfront while wide players Adam Reach and new signing Andre Green couldn’t get into the game.
Thompson got an initial reaction out of the players after Tony Pulis’s dismissal. However, the performance at Coventry was just as bad as those served up in December.
Wednesday can’t afford to be passive. In their situation, they must look for victories as draws won’t be enough with teams just above them gaining some momentum.
The Owls still have a few days left in the transfer window to bring in some much-needed attacking reinforcements, while the search for a new manager continues.
Also see: Report: Prospective new Owls manager decides against pursuing Hillsborough job
Also see: ‘I was let go’: £25m Everton man shares story of Sheffield Wednesday rejection
