‘Struggled’ ‘Not in the game’ Seven 4/10s and a three in Sheffield Wednesday ratings from Stoke City
Look, it wasn’t great.
Sheffield Wednesday spluttered to a 2-0 defeat at a cold and windy Stoke City in a performance best described as lacklustre. A dire first half saw them fail to take a touch in the Stoke box and their first shot at goal came in the 46th minute.
The second half was better and Wednesday hit the woodwork twice, but the game was all but sealed for the home side just after the hour as Pierce Charles’ learning moment saw his attempt at a quick release cannon off the backside of Ben Wilmot and into his goal.
Now six without a win, the Owls have three matches remaining in what has been a real struggle second half of the campaign. Have some ratings from a dire day out in the Potteries.
1. Pierce Charles – 4
Let’s face it, the supremely talented young keeper got it wrong for the second – though arguments over the legality of the block will rumble on. Dealt well with the taunts of the home fans from there and will learn from it. Otherwise tidy enough, though one or two bits of distribution were unusually overcooked. | UGC
2. Yan Valery – 5
Stuck at it but gave it away sloppily twice in the first half and ultimately couldn’t contribute to a turning of the tide. Got better as the game went on. | UGC
3. Dominic Iorfa – 4
Pulled into the starting line-up late in the day after an issue suffered by Michael Ihiekwe. Yellow carded early doors for a mistimed one on Gallagher. Sketchy. Off before the hour. | UGC
4. Akin Famewo – 6
Read it well to cut out a couple of early Stoke charges down the left. Seemed a bit off-colour in possession in the first half but grew into things on that front. Made some important interventions. | Steve Ellis / UGC
Sheffield Wednesday status confirmed after miserable afternoon at Stoke City
The Owls left it late last time out, securing their second-tier status on the final day to complete the great escape, but there will be no concerns of last-day drama this time around after it was confirmed that Danny Röhl’s side will no longer be able to slip into the bottom three or climb into the play-offs no matter what happens between now and the last game.
Luton Town’s victory over Derby County in today’s early kickoff sees both teams – in 23rd and 22nd respectively – now sat on 43 points, with just nine points left to play for. Before kick off at the bet365 Stadium, where Wednesday faced Stoke City, the visitors were 10 points off the bottom three, meaning that the lowest they could finish as things stand is 21st.
Röhl’s men lost 2-0 to Stoke, making it six games without a win for the Owls, and dropped down to 15th after a late winner for Queens Park Rangers, and also fell 13 points behind Coventry City in sixth place. The highest they can climb to now is seventh, but on recent form that also seems unlikely.
While there was a stage this season where the Owls had loftier ambitions, and at one point had a chance at the top six, there will be an air of relief for some at today’s confirmation – especially given how things have gone for the club lately. They can now get to work on the 2025/26 campaign knowing which division they’ll be playing in.
