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.
9. Barry Bannan - 6
A couple of balls showed flashes of more quality than anyone else on the pitch, though his powers weren’t as sustained as he would have liked. Defensively sound. | UGC / Steve Ellis
10. Josh Windass - 6
Offered flashes of quality, taking up good positions. Missed an excellent headed chance on the half-hour and put in a ball of real quality from a deep free-kick early in the second half. Seemed to slow up with a few others. The fact is that Wednesday are a much better team with him in it. | UGC / Getty Images
11. Callum Paterson - 6
Often the highest Wednesday figure up the pitch. Offered energy and drive, bustling his way through things and won aerials. Looked spent by the time Wednesday ceded momentum in the second half. | UGC / Steve Ellis
12. Mallik Wilks - 4
On for Musaba on the hour. Looked rusty, failing to get on the end of a couple of balls and producing a couple of heavy touches. Couldn’t replicate the danger of Musaba, ultimately. He’s had a long, long time out and will take time to get up to speed. | Steve Ellis / UGC