Sky Blues knock out uckless Owls

Coventry City knocked the Owls out of the Carling League Cup after a 1-0 win at Highfield Road. Wednesday, managed by caretaker manager Mark Smith, competed well with The Championship side, but saw the game turn on it's head with a goal at the wrong end and a red card dished out to Glenn Whelan all in the space of 10 minutes.

Paul Sturrock was in the stands watching and will have been fairly happy with what he saw in what was by no means a bad performance. But Wednesday's failure to take their goalscoring chances has again cost them dearly. Steven MacLean and Adam Proudlock both wasted great chances to score in the first half.

The Owls have only managed one goal in their last four games, and are without a win in six. But there were positives on the night. Young full-back Ross Greenwood put in an impressive senior debut effort and the the Owls showed good fight in the second half despite being a man down.

This report from TeamTalk.com:

Manager-in-waiting Paul Sturrock was given little cheer from the Carling Cup as Sheffield Wednesday crashed out to Coventry. Sturrock, sacked by Southampton after presiding over just two Barclays Premiership games this season, watched in the Highfield Road stands as Wednesday lost 1-0.

Wednesday, though, will feel hard done by after City's goal came courtesy of a huge slice of luck on 36 minutes when Michael Doyle's free-kick - clearly meant as a cross - alluded everyone and bounced into the net. Just three minutes later, Sturrock - who it is believed will be installed as Chris Turner's replacement on Thursday - was given an immediate suspension headache as Glenn Whelan was given his marching orders for a bad challenge on City defender Matthew Mills.

Wednesday had started with steely determination as John Paul McGovern whipped in a dangerous free-kick and loan keeper Luke Steele had to be at his best to stop Adam Proudlock's shot on the turn. However, it was Coventry who looked more composed in possession as Cameroon striker Patrick Suffo's header was caught well by David Lucas.

City continued to ring the warning bell when Republic of Ireland striker Graham Barrett saw his shot on the half volley fly just over the bar after getting on the end of Gudjonsson's deep cross. City's breakthrough came on 36 minutes when Doyle's free-kick, from fully 45-yards out somehow found its way in and it was a lead the Sky Blues just about deserved.

Wednesday's woe was compounded just three minutes later when Whelan was given a straight red card by referee Paul Armstrong for a cynical foul on Mills. After the break, City just did enough to hang onto their slender advantage although Wednesday never gave up the ghost.

The visitors had serious claims for a penalty on 73 minutes when Steven MacLean was felled by Mills just inside the City box. Chris Brunt was installed as the lone front-man at the expense of Proudlock three minutes later and it was his stinging shot, in the dying moments, that so nearly took the game into extra time.

Half-time: Coventry 1-0 Owls

Mark Smith's post match comments:
"I said to them after the game that I couldn't have asked for any more than that. I asked them to give plenty of energy and endeavour and I think that was quite apparent."

"To say I thought he was poor is an understatement. If you look at the actual challenge by Steven MacLean, there is nothing wrong with it. Between them, the referee and linesman both get it wrong. I didn't see it (Whelan's sending off). I saw him lose control but then I just followed the ball as they cleared it. Talking to Glenn after, he has caught their player but I think it was more momentum and the greasy surface. He said he made contract with him. It was a poor first touch, their lad's got a tackle in and as Glenn's tried to chase his touch, his momentum took him through. He was distraught in the dressing room and he should learn from things like that."

"Hopefully he'll go on and made sure it doesn't happen again."

"Ross (Greenwood) was fantastic and I thought Patrick Collins was too. You're talking about a lad who was in the Premiership not too long ago (Stern John) and Suffo, they are handfuls. I thought Ross was magnificent from start to finish."

AnzOwls' verdict: Disappointing to go out early in the competition, but this clearly wasn't to be Wednesday's night.