Sheffield Wednesday claimed a much-needed win away at Portsmouth in the Championship on Friday night.
Sheffield Wednesday can be hit and miss when it comes to playing live on Sky Sports. On Friday at Fratton Park, they were miss, but then they were hit.
A miserable first half saw the Owls trailing at half-time. But Josh Windass got Wednesday back on level terms before a Michal Smith thunderbolt sealed the win.
Danny Rohl’s side pick up their first win since the return of football this month and now find themselves in 11th place of the Championship table.
Here are some positives, and some negatives, from the win at Portsmouth…
Positive – Consecutive away wins for Sheffield Wednesday
Whilst Sheffield Wednesday fans have had plenty to moan about in the last week or so, their team’s away form has been a pleasant surprise of late.
The Owls now have back-to-back wins on the road after Sheffield Wednesday came from behind to beat Coventry City 2-1 in their previous game away from Hillsborough.
So far in the Championship this season, Wednesday have seven points on the road, having lost their first four away games of the season but now being unbeaten in three away from home.
Negative – Akin Famewo injury
During the first half, Akin Famewo was forced off with what appeared to be a thigh injury, in a huge blow for both him and the club.
Famewo has been in fine form this season. He’s been an unexpected performer in the side, with his performances having been so good that Sheffield Wednesday want to hand Famewo a new contract.
Rohl will be praying that Famewo isn’t sidelined for long. His injury is a good chance for Dominic Iorfa to get back into the thick of it, though.
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Positive – Barry Bannan and Shea Charles pulling the strings
In Barry Bannan and Shea Charles, it feels like Sheffield Wednesday have an engine room capable of challenging at the top end.
Against Portsmouth, there was no issue in getting the ball from defence to attack, with Bannan and Charles comfortable and confident in possession.
These two are crucial for Sheffield Wednesday right now. But those around them need to be better more often.
Negative – Another goal conceded from a corner
Conceding goals form corners has been a key theme of Rohl’s tenure at Sheffield Wednesday. And it’d become such a problem that Sheffield Wednesday appointed a set-piece coach earlier this season.
This isn’t the first goal that Wednesday conceded from a corner since the arrival of set-piece coach Ben King, and it was another poor one to concede; Smith’s needless touch, the bounce inside the box, and the unmarked man at the back-post.
Positive – A goal for Josh Windass
When Windass is in form, it seems like Sheffield Wednesday are in form. He scored a well-taken goal to get the Owls back on level terms on Friday night, and it’ll do his confidence a world of good.
Windass is now on three goals for the season so far, nearly finishing a well-worked Sheffield Wednesday goal on the night.
Positive – Danny Rohl works half-time magic
Sheffield Wednesday were bland in the first half. But Rohl showed his tactical nouse with his half-time changes.
Jamal Lowe and Yan Valery came on and Valery in particular looked dangerous, giving Wednesday a lot more attacking output down the right flank.
It also highlights the depth that Wednesday have when they’re able to make effective changes in games.