The Owls looked slicker and more combative for large periods of their 1-0 defeat at Watford before the home side’s first spell of sustained pressure told as substitute Yasser Asprilla spun inside to win the game for the Hornets.
Major concerns continue over Wednesday’s inability to score goals - Josh Windass and Jeff Hendrick spurned good headed chances and the penalty controversy was a killer blow, but for all their endeavour not a huge amount was produced in the way of opportunity.
For all the promise in the effort, the result is another defeat to a fellow struggler and serves as another gut-punch blow.
Here are our ratings from a gut-punch afternoon in the capital.
1. Cameron Dawson - 6
Had a quiet day out but was comfortable in what he was asked to deal with - until Asprilla decked one through bodies to creep one inside his near post.
2. Pol Valentin - 6
Went about things really nicely down the right. Very little joy was had by Watford there and dovetailed nicely with Musaba down the line in moments but his performance dipped in the second period.
3. Dominic Iorfa - 7
Purposeful in his passing and strong in defence. Watford weren’t allowed much joy down the middle - Iorfa won tackles and headers. Battled well.
4. Bambo Diaby
Much more like it. Strong and assured in defence, stamping out what Watford threw at Wednesday. Sensible on the ball and produced an important block on 65 minutes. Couldn’t have foreseen the winner coming down his left side in attempting to block.