Woeful Wednesday second best to Sadlers

The Owls fired blank for a third successive game as they collapsed to a poor 1-0 away defeat to fellow strugglers Walsall. Yorath's side had disappointed in their 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace in midweek, but the poor performances on the field continued three days later at Bescot Stadium.

Wednesday had faced three tough teams in Leicester, Coventry and Palace in recent weeks and had hoped to beat a side of the calibre of Walsall. It wasn't to be though as the Owls sunk to their fourth league defeat of the season so far, also ending a seven match unbeaten run in cup and league.

Yorath may have been regretting leaving out influential Dutchman Gerald Sibon, after he told the former Ajax man to take a break over the weekend. That left a vacant spot for Matthew Hamshaw to make his first full appearance of the season.

Lloyd Owusu partnered Shefki Kuqi upfront in what was his first start since joining the Owls from Brentford in the summer. Neither he nor Kuqi could spark anything infront of goal. Wednesday's midfield was generally lacking in imagination, and on this performance Owls fans probably shouldn't rule out another tough season ahead.

Wednesday get to put their league troubles behind them temporarily in midweek though when high flying Leicester City visit Hillsborough for their 2nd Round Worthington League Cup clash. They'll be hoping the month of October might bring them more fortune. The Walsall defeat was their only of September, but only seven points were collected from a possible 18 and it still leaves them precariously lying third from bottom.

This report from Soccernet.com:

Sheffield Wednesday's poor run continued with a narrow 1-0 defeat at Walsall. For the third successive match the Owls failed to find the net, despite enjoying much of the play. Walsall, on a high after their 3-0 win at Millwall last week, faced an Owls side without talented Dutchman Gerald Sibon, who was rested by manager Terry Yorath following two disappointing goalless home draws. With Sibon out, Yorath gave Lloyd Owusu his first start of the season.

Both keepers were soon in action. Wednesday's Kevin Pressman easily dealing with a 25-yard shot from Darren Wrack and his opposite number James Walker saved with similar ease from Shefki Kuqi. Pressman was called into action again to deal with a dangerous inswinging corner by Steve Corica as the home side began to get on top. They had another chance to take the lead but David Zdrilic hit his close range shot right across the face of the goal.

Pressman was a busy man in the visitors' net, saving again when Wrack drilled in a left-foot shot from near the edge of the box. Walsall had Martin O'Connor booked for dissent and lost Zdrilic through injury - to be replaced by Gary Birch - but it hardly interrupted the home side's rhythm and the Owls found themselves under siege.

Walsall's Ian Roper's name also went into the book for dissent but the free kick was a brief respite and a minute before half-time Walsall deservedly went ahead when Fitzroy Simpson drilled home a left-footed shot into the bottom left-hand corner of the visitors' net.

Half-time: Walsall 1-0 Owls

Wednesday raised their game after the interval but despite plenty of possession didn't really trouble the home keeper Walker who easily dealt with a 25-yard shot from Alan Quinn. Walsall had few chances and a long-range effort was easily dealt with by Pressman. But as the half progressed, the home side gradually got back into the game and might well have doubled their lead when Jorge Leitao met Corica's corner but headed wide from six yards.

Another inswinging corner from Corica was scrambled clear by Derek Geary and Pressman cut out dangerous cross from the inventive Corica. Owusu had a rare chance for the Owls but shot over from 18 yards and a minute from time Kuqi almost grabbed an equaliser for the visitors but his header from a Leon Knight corner went wide.