A 1-1 draw against League Two opposition, a late goal, a penalty shootout. While the key factors were similar to the Stockport County outing, the performance was far improved - in the first 45 at least. Ultimately, it counted for nothing.
Xisco is awaiting his first win as Wednesday boss and his first clean sheet. It has been a nightmareish start to the season.
It was a bizarre game dotted with really promising first half performances. That the Owls couldn’t sustain it is concerning as are slowly recurring themes; the concession of late goals, missed chances, defensive sloppiness and a failure to put 90 minutes together.
Here are our player ratings after another frustrating evening for Sheffield Wednesday.
It was a bizarre game dotted with really promising first half performances. That the Owls couldn’t sustain it is concerning as are slowly recurring themes; the concession of late goals, missed chances, defensive sloppiness and a failure to put 90 minutes together.
![On in place of Fletcher with 20 left. Didn’t get much to work with up top in a cameo appearance as Wednesday faded but took his penalty with supreme confidence.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/08/12/16/Smith%20UGC.png?crop=3:2&width=800)
13. Michael Smith - 5
On in place of Fletcher with 20 left. Didn’t get much to work with up top in a cameo appearance as Wednesday faded but took his penalty with supreme confidence. | UGC / Getty Images
![On in place of Musaba with 20 left. Dipped in and popped it about but couldn’t help sustain any momentum. Took his penalty very well once again.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/08/10/17/Gregory%20UGC.png?crop=3:2&width=800)
14. Lee Gregory - 6
On in place of Musaba with 20 left. Dipped in and popped it about but couldn’t help sustain any momentum. Took his penalty very well once again. | UGC / Steve Ellis
![On with 10 minutes to run in place of Bakinson. Played a part in Mansfield’s equaliser and missed his pen.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/08/01/16/Ratings23.png?crop=3:2&width=800)
15. Will Vaulks - N/A
On with 10 minutes to run in place of Bakinson. Played a part in Mansfield’s equaliser and missed his pen. | Getty / UGC
![On with 10 minutes to go in place of Valentin. Saw his penalty saved as Wednesday fell out of the Carabao Cup.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/08/21/15/Palmer%20UGC.png?crop=3:2&width=800)
16. Liam Palmer - N/A
On with 10 minutes to go in place of Valentin. Saw his penalty saved as Wednesday fell out of the Carabao Cup. | UGC / Steve Ellis