Danny Rohl was left to reflect once again on Wednesday’s failure to be clinical in both boxes as we were edged out 1-0 in today’s Hillsborough derby against Sheff U.
In a game of few clearcut openings, the visitors took one of their two efforts on target to grab the points, Rhian Brewster tapping home at the far post from a Tyrese Campbell cross on 64 minutes.
It’s a defeat that also leaves Wednesday still looking for a first home win since New Year’s Day and six points adrift of the play-off places with eight games remaining.
Rohl said afterwards:”I look back at the data. I know it’s not everything but in all the data we are ahead apart from the one that counts which is the goal.”
“The teams ahead of us are not so much better, they see how we play, how we invest. But it is football and if you want to take more it is about that favourite phrase … being clinical in both boxes.”
Backed by the vast majority of a near 34,000 crowd, we began the game in attacking fashion and were close to going ahead early on when Michael Smith’s header from a Ryo Hatsuse cross was tipped over the bar by keeper Michael Cooper.
The visitors gradually came more into the game, giving us a couple of scares at the back but it was Wednesday who began the second half in encouraging style again.
Josh Windass saw his shot blocked in the Sheff U penalty area as we dominated the early stages of the second period, before Brewster struck with that decisive goal against the run of play as Wednesday were found wanting at the back.
However, we regrouped and almost grabbed an equaliser two minutes from time when Cooper pushed out a fierce effort from Marvin Johnson, the ball rebounded to Svante Ingelsson but he shot over the bar and with it went our last chance of prising a point from the game.
Rohl added: “We had some really good opportunities and I think the biggest chance was for Svante.
“I think really there was no winning team in the game today, I think it could maybe have been a draw.”
On the hopes of a play-off spot, the manager said: “We have eight games to go, eight cup finals, there are 24 points to play for and we will not be giving up, that is for sure.”
Max Lowe was the latest injury casualty in our defence as he had to be subbed in the first half and Rohl said he will await updates on the problem.
Beadle, Iorfa, Ihiekwe, M Lowe (Valentin 39), Hatsuse (Johnson 72), S Charles (Chalobah 72), Bannan, Gassama (Musaba 80), Paterson (Ingelsson 72), Windass, Smith. Unused subs: P Charles, Palmer, J. Lowe, Kobacki. Attendance: 33,827.