Gary Megson slammed the performance of some of his players after the hugely disappointing 2-1 defeat at Exeter.

A clearly angry Megson said: “We have some players here at the moment who are playing as if they are doing us a favour . . . they think they are better than they are and they need to shape up.”

He criticised those players for failing to show the required fight, desire and commitment, saying the only threat looked to be from goalscorer Jermaine Johnson and that “a lot of our players did not play in the right manner”.

Megson added: “”We won’t achieve promotion unless we get back to basics and some of the players are nowhere near where they were four weeks ago.”

Loanee John Bostock was taken off at half-time, with Megson unhappy with his application. The Owls boss said he had considered making all three substitutions at the break – such was his anger and disappointment at the display.

Megson also questioned the defensive wall and keeper Stephen Bywater’s contribution to the first Exeter goal and queried the decision to give a free kick for the second goal which he said was then unstoppable.

Wednesday’s promotion hopes took a big blow with a 2-1 defeat at struggling Exeter.

Jermaine Johnson puts us ahead from 15 yards after 66 minutes but we were pegged back immediately from a Billy Jones free kick and then lost all three points to a late David Noble free kick.

It was another poor display from Wednesday against mediocre opposition and, with Sheff U winning and other challengers not playing because of the bad weather, it makes three points against Stevenage on Tuesday all the more important.

We remain in second place but are just a point clear of Sheff U, who have two games in hand, and stay seven points behind leaders Charlton, who have also played two matches less. Huddersfield sit in fourth spot, two points behind us but with a game in hand.

Tuesday night sees the top six teams playing each other, with Charlton at home to MK Dons and Sheff U at Huddersfield, while we entertain Stevenage.

Lewis Buxton back in Wednesday side at Exeter – he replaces Jon Otsemebor at right back. Full line-up is: Bywater; Buxton, Llera, Batth, Bennett; J. Johnson, Bostock, Prutton, Semedo; O’Grady, Madine

Gary Megson will be ringing the changes again when Wednesday travel to Exeter on Saturday.

The in-form Reda Johnson is ruled out for two games through suspension while Megson has indicated that Jermaine Johnson will return after being rested for the midweek FA Cup replay against Blackpool.

Miguel Llera and loanee John Bostock could also return after being cup tied for the Blackpool game as we look for another three points to continue our promotion push.

Gary Megson voiced his disappointment at Wednesday’s FA Cup exit on Tuesday evening – then immediately turned his attention to our on-going promotion push.

After seeing the Owls never looking likely to upset a far superior Blackpool side in the cup replay at S6, Megson said: “We had a great opportunity in the first few minutes and if it had gone in I’m not saying the result would have been different, but I think our performance certainly would have been.

“They took their goals brilliantly and they looked a class act at times.”

He added: “At times when we were keeping it, we looked a little laboured, to the point where we were passing it but not really going anywhere and it was disappointing from that point of view.”

Looking forward to the on-going promotion challenge and Exeter on Saturday, Megson said: “Our priority has to be the league. While we wanted to progress in the FA Cup, we now have to put in a performance down at Exeter on Saturday.”

And Megson said that one player who will be back in the starting line-up on Saturday is Jermaine Johnson, the in-form winger having been rested on Tuesday evening.

Reda Johnson will miss the next two games in our promotion challenge after being booked in the cup defeat by Blackpool.

It takes Johnson to 10 yellow cards this season and that means a two-match ban – covering the trip to Exeter on Saturday and then the home game with Stevenage next Tuesday.

Wednesday’s FA Cup run ended when a much-changed side were outplayed and outclassed by Blackpool at Hillsborough on Tuesday evening.

The game was effectively all over inside the first 15 minutes, goals from Matt Phillips and Lomana Tresor LuaLua putting the Seasiders in total control,  after Ryan Lowe missed an early opportunity to put us ahead.

We found ourselves chasing shadows for much of the first-half and if there was any doubt about the eventual outcome of the fourth round replay, it was settled within nine minutes of the restart, Ludovic Sylvestre cracking home a third goal for the visitors.

It was a disappointing end to this year’s cup run but the only consolation is that it leaves us with a clear run at the on-going promotion bid … starting at Exeter on Saturday.

Wednesday will be without Miguel Llera, John Bostock and Mike Jones for Tuesday evening’s FA Cup fourth round replay with Blackpool at S6.

The trio are cup-tied, so Rob Jones could return in the centre of defence while Chris Lines is a possible replacement for Bostock in midfield.

Gary Megson might also decide to start with Ryan Lowe and Clinton Morrison up front, the pair both coming on as subs against Yeovil on Saturday and making a bigger impression than the starting strike pair of Gary Madine and Chris O’Grady.

The game is being televised live on ESPN.

Gary Megson reflected on Wednesday’s game of two halves after the home win over Yeovil took us up into second place.

A poor first half saw us trailing 1-0 but was followed by an improved second 45 and goals from Jermaine and Reda Johnson took us to a
2-1 victory and behind leaders Charlton in the division one table.

Megson said: “We didn’t play at the right pace or the tempo we try to achieve in the first half and it was like a wasted 45 minutes.

“We came out much better in the second period and I was pleased with the contribution of our more experienced players to help see the game out after we had gone in front.”

Referring to a double substitution soon after the interval, which saw Lewis Buxton and Ryan Lowe replacing Jon Otsemobor and Gary Madine, Megson said: “I’ve got a strong bench now and if players aren’t playing to the required levels then I can change things around.

“When you’re in the team you have got to perform, what you’ve done in the past doesn’t count.”

Loanee John Bostock made his full debut and Megson said he did what he expected – but that he’s got to work harder.

* Nicky Weaver was out of the squad after suffering a back injury. He has had a scan and needs 48 hours rest.

Second-half goals from Jermaine and Reda Johnson took Wednesday up into second place at home to Yeovil on Saturday.

We fell behind just before half-time in a lacklustre first 45 from the Owls but another cracker from Jermaine Johnson and a winner from Reda Johnson sealed another vital three points in an improved second half display.

Victory takes us into second, two points clear of Huddersfield who drew 1-1 at home to MK Dons, and four points ahead of Sheff U who have two games in hand. Leaders Charlton are seven points clear having played one game less.