Sheffield Wednesday boss Garry Monk blasts players for 'lack of determination' as Owls taste more late heartbreak at Stoke

The Owls, who started the day in third, faced off against a Stoke side staring relegation in the face; bottom of the league and off the back of a defeat to relegation rivals Middlesbrough.

But Monk’s side were second-best throughout, despite a crazy few minutes that saw them take the lead going into injury time.

The 40-year-old admitted his side left with what they deserved after Sam Vokes poked home the winner seconds from time.

He said: “When it is that scoreline you give yourself a chance. But for the first 60 minutes we didn’t match them, we didn’t match their determination.

“And yet of course, in the last 30 we managed to get ourselves back in the game with a bit more determination, we got ourselves in the lead and ultimately we have to be hugely disappointed.

“We can’t dwell on it. That’s what you can’t do in this period.

“We’ve got a game in a couple of days and we have to be ready, but what we do know is that we have to show a hell of a lot more determination and intensity than we showed today.”

And asked why his players weren’t able to match the vigour of their opponents on an afternoon that saw the bet365 Stadium rocking, Monk was perplexed.

“I don’t know,” he admitted. “It’s not been very often I’ve had to say that, with that team.

“We just didn’t match it. We’ve come to a team that, yes, is bottom of the league but we knew they have quality players and they’re going to fight.

“We didn’t match that fight for the first 60 minutes.

“We did a little bit in that last half an hour.

“We have to show a reaction and show the intensity we have been showing and are associated with.

“We’ve got no excuses.”