Analysis from The Owls’ under-21 defeat to Huddersfield Town

Sheffield Wednesday’s under-21s were beaten 5-2 at home to Huddersfield Town on Tuesday afternoon.

The Owls led early on through Joel Akpobi before the hosts were soon pegged back. Two quick-fire goals for the visitors put them 3-1 up just after half-time before Will Grainger pulled one back for Wednesday. But the Terriers added a fourth and a late fifth at Middlewood Road.

Here are five talking points from the game...

WEAVER COMPLETES 90

There have been many calls for Ernie Weaver to start first-team matches, although he may end up being loaned out, depending on the outcome of test results for Ricardo Santos.

The centre-back played 90 minutes here and had an entertaining tussle with physical striker Samson Tovide, who racked up 21 goals and 17 assists in 151 appearances for Colchester United, before joining the Terriers in September for a compensation fee and signing a three-year deal.

Weaver had one brief scare in the first-half when he took a whack to his foot - expressing his anguish - but was able to continue. After just returning from a long-term injury, coming through those moments will bring a sigh of relief.

The vocal Weaver was dominant in the air, won tackles and organised those around him. One nip-in-front success ahead of Tovide drew annoyance from the striker. Weaver’s passing radar was not always on point as he brushes off some rustiness. However, his ball out from the back that sent Wednesday on their way down the right for the opener.

His eye-catching battle with Tovide ended midway through the second-half - seconds after Weaver let the linesman know what he thought of his decision not to give a foul against the striker. There was no love lost as words were exchanged as Tovide trudged off.

ACE AKPOBI

The speedy wideman’s performances at this level earned him a senior debut in the EFL Trophy earlier this month - grabbing an assist and man of the match. The teenager put Wednesday ahead after five minutes - stroking home low into the bottom corner - after a well-worked move down the right involving Will McPartland, another EFL Trophy debutant against Salford City.

After Wednesday conceded two quick-fire goals after half-time to trail 3-1, smart wing play by Akpobi got the hosts back into the game, and he provided the assist for Grainger, rolling the ball into his path inside the area.

Akpobi had what looked like a decent shout for a penalty turned down after he was barged in the back - although Wednesday’s appeals were not as strong as they might have been. As Wednesday pressed for an equaliser, Akpobi switched to the right flank in a 90-minute showing. He is still raw. There were times when he tried to do too much. But another goal and assist shows his end-product potential.

A GOAL FOR GRAINGER

After a quiet first 45, Grainger scored Wednesday’s second goal with a left-footed finish inside the area. The Wales youth international also had a difficult chance to equalise but he snatched at it and the ball flew wide. A clever half turn and pass was exciting and he almost slipped in Joshua Bayliss but it was gathered at the second attempt. With Akpobi on the right in the latter stages, Grainger, who played the full 90, moved to the left and had some joy. It is thought Wednesday believe it is best that the 17-year-old continues his development with them rather than being loaned out. The last EFL Trophy group game next month could present an opportunity for him.

A SPECIAL MENTION FOR

Goalkeeper Jack Phillips, who produced a stunning reaction save from close-range in the first-half. His handling was also excellent.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

A familiar name among the Huddersfield ranks was Jonathan Hogg. The 37-year-old is a player-coach in the Terriers’ academy. The experienced midfielder played in the play-off win against the Owls in 2016. ‘Hoggy’, as the kids called him, played one diagonal pass which oozed class and caught the eye of those on the sidelines.