Jones returns to haunt Owls

The Owls search for a first league win back in the Championship continued after Southampton left Hillsborough with all three points, thanks to a 22nd minute strike by Kenwyne Jones. The Trinidad & Tobago forward made himself a favourite with the Hillsborough faithful last season when he scored a remarkable seven goals in as many games in a short loan spell from the Saints.

Wednesday's lack of firepower upfront continues, despite the debut of David Graham who looked less than match fit, with the Owls having only scored once in their opening three games.

Graham replaced injured loan player Leon Best, whose short term deal has now been terminated, in the only change to Sturrock's line-up.

The Owls started this game quite brightly. Chris Brunt's cross from the left as early as the second minute was just too high for stand-in skipper Glenn Whelan, whose headed went wide of the mark. A couple of minutes later Brunt was in the thick of it again. This time his left-foot shot lashed past the wrong side of the post.

Southampton's first real chance fell to Darren Powell who blazed high into the West Stand after Kenwyne Jones had nodded down well.

But the visitors took the lead in the 22nd minute when a slip from defender Richard Wood allowed Jones to pounce. Covering full-back Frankie Simek was brushed off the ball by the powerful Trinidad and Tobagan forward, who took a touch onto his left foot before driving strongly low into the corner of David Lucas' far post. The goal was a bitter blow for both the Owls and the young Wood, whose unfortunate slip on a greasy surface had allowed the Saints striker in on goal.

The 20 year old forward showed true sportsmanship by refusing to celebrate in his usual extatic fashion. The Hillsborough faithful showed their appreciation of this gesture, and indeed later on when Jones was substituted to a standing ovation.

Half-time: Owls 0-1 Southampton

Unfortunately the Owls failed to create too many clear cut chances in the second half. Both sides kept their defences tight before Sturrock threw on both Adam Proudlock and Ritchie Partridge with half an hour to go.

Burton O'Brien made his first showing in Wednesday colours with 15 minutes to go and the young Scottish midfielder had a shot charged down by the away defence, as the Owls failed to spark upfront to salvage anything from the game. Wednesday go on in search of their first league win of the season, but more worryingly for Sturrock is the fact that his side have scored just once in 270 minutes of football so far this season.

Paul Sturrock's post match comments:
"Experience counts for a lot and inexperience can hurt you. One of our defenders made a mistake and, as I've said all along, you get punished in this league. Southampton are very experienced, Premiership players and they know how to make it hard for the other team to play."

"We've only lost two goals in three games but only scored one. It's something the whole team has to take responsibility for not just the strikers. It's a hard league and when we get a chance or two we have to be more clinical. I think that game will prove to the supporters it's going to be trench warfare this season."