Wednesday’s 11-match unbeaten run was halted when a strong Wigan outfit ran out 3-0 winners in front of a 25,000 crowd at Hillsborough on Tuesday night.
While the scoreline was rather harsh on the Owls, we were left to reflect on a key couple of minutes midway through the first half which changed the game.
Atdhe Nuhiu missed a great chance to put us ahead as he shot weakly at Al Habsi when in a great position and within a minute loanee Benik Afobe slipped in the box when about to shoot. And to underline those wasted opportunities, Wigan went straight up the other end to open the scoring through Nicky Maynard.
To make matters worse, the visitors grabbed a second goal seven minutes later, Martyn Waghorn’s low inswinging corner finding the net at the near post, with Maynard credited with getting the last touch.
Stuart Gray brought on Michail Antonio and Jeremy Helan early in the second-half and they brought more energy to Wednesday’s game.
Helan and Chris Maguire both brought good saves out of Al Habsi and Nuhiu missed another good opportunity, this time with his head, as the Owls continued to play some decent football without showing that killer instinct in the penalty area.
And Wigan rubbed salt into the wounds with a third goal deep into the eight minutes of added time, Marc-Antoine Fortune netting from close range after Maynard’s shot was parried by Chris Kirkland.
Stuart Gray said: “We didn’t get it right in both boxes. Between the boxes we did okay.”
He added: “You have to put the chances away when you get them. It was a good chance for Atdhe and he will be disappointed, as we all are. We needed that first goal because they are a top side.”