It is no lack of effort and the stock phrases are the same as they were last week and the week before, but a 1-0 reversal against a Pompey outfit out of form, without a win on the road since Jesus was in school shorts and riddled by injuries felt particularly rough.
That was a game that, if such a thing existed, they would have fancied as a big opportunity to claim a first win since September and the same opposition. They huffed and they puffed but little wobbled. A sharp break from the away side and a lapse or two in concentration did for them.
There were bright things, but the gravity of Wednesday’s continued trudge out of midwinter remains.
To a large extent, it is what it is. Have some player ratings.
1. Murphy Cooper - 6
In for his debut to become Wednesday's fifth goalkeeper of a five-month campaign. A hairy-ish moment of hesitation or two in there but grew into it and raced out to deny Segecic before the break. | UGC
2. Sean Fusire - 6
Involved in a couple of promising build-ups early doors and showed some mettle up against a tricky opposite man in Millenic Alli. Some wobblier moments in there too - such is the life of a developing footballer. | UGC
3. Yan Valery - 6
Back in the side after his AFCON absence and brought some calm to things. Got forward when he could and offered some quiet quality on the ball. | UGC
4. Gabriel Otegbayo - 6
Got himself into a good scrap with Colby Bishop and took on some leadership responsibilities from the heart of defence. Failed to clear his lines in the build-up to the goal and couldn't recover. | UGC