A Sheffield Wednesday blend of youth and fringe experience made the trip to Coventry City and returned with a sore feeling after the Sky Blues turned their higher class into goals in an eight-minute flurry of finishes at the start of the second half. The 4-1 result flattered no-one and means Wednesday are out of the FA Cup having expended valuable time and energy into a trip to Warwickshire just a few days before a vital Birmingham City league clash many would describe as 'season-defining'.
Bailey Cadamarteri's snap-shot leveller proved to be the high point of a match Coventry dominated with a near full-strength squad, the trio of Callum O'Hare, Kasey Palmer and Haji Wright causing as many headaches for the Owls defence as they are worth in pound notes. The Owls stuck at it to the break but against bit-part players short on match fitness and youngsters finding their feet in all this, three goals in the time it takes to walk around Hillsborough Stadium proved the point.
A patched-up side it may well have been, it's been four days, two away trips, eight goals conceded, momentum hurtling in the wrong direction. Here are our player ratings
13. Di’Shon Bernard - 4
On for Famewo at half-time in what may well have been a pre-planned decision. Together with Palmer, the fact is their introduction - though far from the cause - coincided with Coventry romping into the fifth round. Caught out in possession. | Ellis / UGC
14. Jeff Hendrick - 5
On for Diaby after the hour for his first appearance in a couple of months. Got on the ball and moved it around nicely in moments but didn't do a great deal to throw the match in Wednesday's favour. | Steve Ellis / UGC
15. Joey Phuthi - 5
On at the hour-mark for his second senior outing. Didn't get too many chances to show what he can do, but showed for it. Pressed as best he could with both sides knowing their race was run. | UGC / Steve Ellis
16. Sam Reed - 5
On for a chastening half-hour. A nice moment for the young Wednesdayite and a moment he's worked hard for since joining from Brighouse Town. Put plenty of work in, battled and showed for it. | UGC