Sheffield Wednesday bounced back from their defeat against Watford at the weekend with an impressive victory over Norwich City at Hillsborough on Tuesday night.
Danny Rohl made a handful of changes, including an alteration to his formation, and three changes in personnel for the visit of Norwich.
Those adjustments paid dividends as Wednesday punished Norwich with two well-taken goals in the first half, and held firm in the second 45 to seal the win and take the three points.
Five things we learned from Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 Norwich
Danny Rohl’s formation change worked
After the defensive horror show at the weekend, defensive changes were needed, and Rohl switched it up with a back three of Dominic Iorfa, Di’Shon Bernard, and Max Lowe, who were supported by wing-backs Yan Valery and Marvin Johnson.
That decision worked a treat, with the three centre-halves proving to be incredibly solid, keeping Norwich’s Borja Sainz largely at bay throughout.
It would be a big surprise if Rohl didn’t stick with that setup, and indeed the players that started tonight, for the ‘special game’ against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Sunday.
Marvin Johnson is key to creativity
While Marvin Johnson had plenty to do defensively on the night, it was his attacking prowess that caught the eye, capped by a brilliant assist to get Wednesday off the mark.
His vision, adventurousness, and ability to find his man with a cross was a constant threat to Norwich in the first half, and Johnson was the main man creating chances for the Owls.
Svante Ingelsson the game-changer
We backed Svante Ingelsson to be brought into the starting lineup before the game, to offer a little more meat in the middle of the park, and the Swedish star did not disappoint.
He worked tirelessly in the first half, pressing high, winning back the ball in deeper areas, and was a great outlet for the Wednesday attacks, picking up passes around the box and trying to work a way through to goal.
Based on that display, he has to start against the Blades at the weekend, too, as his energy and dynamism could be key to breaking down a very strong United side.
Josh Windass worked his socks off
The plaudits will largely go to Josh Windass for his brilliant goal, and it was a really impeccable finish from the forward, but his performance was underpinned by an incredible work ethic.
The 30-year-old was relentless in stretching the Norwich defence with his runs out wide, battled for every ball and, frankly, led the line a lot better than Ike Ugbo with clever hold-up play.
Ike Ugbo continues to struggle
Speaking of Ugbo, the striker failed to impress when given a big opportunity from the start in this game. Perhaps the writing was on the wall when he missed a header from one-yard out in the early stages.
He had another chance to score later in the first half, but sent the ball straight at the keeper, and pretty much disappeared in the second 45. While his pressing was relatively effective, what he did with the ball was simply not good enough.