But Sheffield Wednesday proved they could mix it with the likes of Plymouth and Ipswich, then drop down into third gear for a handsome win over Morecambe that chalked up three points, as is becoming something of a theme for a side drunk on efficiency.
Morecambe acted as mannequins for a mis-match outing.
The Owls snared a club record – the most clean sheets ever recorded in a league season (18).
A stress-free Valentine’s Day sojourn. Here are our ratings.
The Owls snared a club record – the most clean sheets ever recorded in a league season (18).
![Showed good awareness to stamp out a couple of rare Morecambe forays into the Wednesday third. Had his own little wander into the attacking stakes by leaving Stockton for dead with a turn plenty of his teammates would've fancied. Big and strong and useful.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmVkODU2ZGQ0LTkyNjQtNDExNy04NDEwLWRiMDNiODEzODA0YzowZDUwNTMwNS01NmJlLTQ5ZDctYTA0MC1jZDIwODM5NGQwYTM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Akin Famewo - 8
Showed good awareness to stamp out a couple of rare Morecambe forays into the Wednesday third. Had his own little wander into the attacking stakes by leaving Stockton for dead with a turn plenty of his teammates would've fancied. Big and strong and useful. Photo: Harriet Massey / UGC
![Stationed in a slightly-but-not-entirely foreign position at right wing-back. Did well, got up and down and offered an outlet. Breezed in once or twice to get more involved.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjgwOWQzNTc1LTAwNTktNGI1MS1hYjIwLWIwODRmMjkwZTU5ZTpmMTQ2NjVmYS03OTIyLTRhNDQtOWM0OC1jYjc5YjYyMmIwZTU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Dennis Adeniran - 7
Stationed in a slightly-but-not-entirely foreign position at right wing-back. Did well, got up and down and offered an outlet. Breezed in once or twice to get more involved. Photo: UGC/Steve Ellis
![Steady. Given time to pick 'em, Vaulks swaggered about in possession and spread it about like either of his midfield mates might've. Got about and mopped up any momentary spillages.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjJhNmI3ZWU2LTk2ZjYtNDM5Yi04MTc2LWU5NzcxMzQ0NzhmOTo1YTk1MGEyMC04ZjRhLTQ4Y2MtYWNjOC1iNTczNzkyZjZiOTQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. Will Vaulks - 7
Steady. Given time to pick 'em, Vaulks swaggered about in possession and spread it about like either of his midfield mates might've. Got about and mopped up any momentary spillages. Photo: UGC/Steve Ellis
![Took his goal nicely - his first since October 29. Cut about with his chest out in midfield and played with aggression both in possession and out - particularly in the first half. Yellow carded for a cynical tackle on Liam Shaw and fizzed one wide in his quest for a second with 15 to go - shortly before he was removed from potential harm.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmNkYjRhODhhLTYzY2YtNGE1My1iMjBiLTBmNDZkZTQwODFjYTpiZTJhMzIxMS02ODQwLTQzZDUtOTRhZS1hOTViZGY3YWM4MzI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. Barry Bannan - 8
Took his goal nicely - his first since October 29. Cut about with his chest out in midfield and played with aggression both in possession and out - particularly in the first half. Yellow carded for a cynical tackle on Liam Shaw and fizzed one wide in his quest for a second with 15 to go - shortly before he was removed from potential harm. Photo: UGC/Steve Ellis