Owls sink further into trouble

There's a thin line between a bad start turning into an early season crisis but The Owls are treading dangerously after a fourth successive league defeat, the first time in 36 years they've been beaten in their first four league games.

In all honesty Bristol City were lucky to have left Hillsborough 1-0 winners after scoring a fourth minute opener from Brian Wilson and then defending doggidly for 86 minutes to take the points. They had more than their fair share of good luck along the way with some help from one of the worst displays of refereeing you're likely to see.

Brian Laws drafted the experienced Steve Watson into the middle of the park at the expense of Kenny Lunt, and new signings Etienne Esajas and Akpo Sodje started from the bench.

The Owls started brightly and Marcus Tudgay should have at least hit the target from close range after Watson's mazy run and pull back pass. Instead the Wednesday forward completely miscued and watched the ball bounce harmlessly wide.

Moments later the visitors were ahead. There seemed to be a lack of communication between centre-backs messrs Woods and Hinds which allowed Wilson a free shot from the edge of the box. The City man went for placement rather than power and his left foot shot beat Burch into the far corner.

Wednesday refused to go into their shells and rallied well for a positive response. Tudgay stretched to reach a cross to the far post and saw his goal bound effort turned away by Adriano Basso. From the resulting corner Tudgay was in the thick of the action again with a spectacular overhead kick booted off the line.

In the 23rd minute The Owls were denied what appeared to be an obvious penalty decision. Referee Chris Foy and his linesman failed to see the ball strike City skipper Louis Carey's arm as he and Deon Burton tussled for the ball from an long clearance from Burch.

City kept their lead until the break, although earlier Richard Wood also saw a header cleared from the line, as Laws decided to bring on the more experienced Lee Bullen in favour of Hinds for the second half.

The visitors came closest to scored at the start of the second period and at 2-0 the game would've been as good as over. Michael McIndoe beat Burch to a through ball and although the forward took the ball past the Wednesday keeper his defenders regrouped quickly and managed to clear the resulting cross.

Laws gave the Wednesday crowd their first look at Dutch winger Etienne Esajas in the 55th minute, with the 22 year old left winger replacing the fairly ineffective Burton O'Brien.

City's plan continued to be one of defending and hitting Wednesday on the break and it nearly worked again for them shortly after the hour mark. A three on one situation was sqwandered though by Lee Trundle and Ivan Sproule much to Wednesday's relief.

Esajas' debut performance was one of the real highlights of a disappointing afternoon for The Owls. The pacey winger beat his defender time after time and delivered quality balls into the box that Tudgay, Burton and later the other debutant Sodje were unable to get onto the end of. The dangerous Jermaine Johnson had made way for former Port Vale striker Sodje but the switch saw Tudgay moved to right wing and after that most of the threat came from just one side of the field.

Mr Foy turned down a second strong call for a penalty when Watson was clearly impeded chasing after a through ball into the box.

And in the 88th minute Wednesday's final hope of claiming something from the game was gone after Esajas' powerful swerving left-foot free kick was saved by Basso.

Chants of 'Allen Out' could be clearly heard from the terraces throughout the second half. The confidence in the current Chairman and his board is clearly at an all time low but it will be Laws who will be feeling the pressure the most after another sting in the tail.

Bottom of the table, without a point on the board and a defence incapable of keeping a cleansheet. On top of all that crowd numbers are low. This attendance the lowest in four and a half years for a league fixture at Hillsborough.

These are not happy times but with a little more luck and a few results churned out, things will turn around quickly. If not, it could be a long season ahead.

Ratings v Bristol City: Burch 6 After the goal Bristol really didn't ask a lot of him and, at times, he looked nervy. Simek 8 Did his defensive duties well and tried to get forward at every opportunity. Worthy of his August Man of the Month Award before the game. Wood 7 Not at his best but did the job. Had a header cleared off the line in the first half and was unlucky not to score again in the second half. Hinds 6 Really doesn't look like an accomplished centre-back or offer much to the back four. Was replaced at the break. Spurr 7 Still looks like he's learning the trade at times, but as ever he worked his socks off and got up and down the line well. Johnson 7 Clearly a player with pace and talent, but just didn't get into the game enough today and was eventually subbed in the second half. Whelan 7 Performed well but, like many of the players, not at his best. When involved he clearly looks a class act and so important to any chance of success this season. Watson 8 Worked hard in the middle of the park and was our main source of creation before Esajas came on. Should've won a penalty in the second half. O'Brien 6 Clearly not a natural left-winger and most of the supply was down the right side. Esajas' performance will surely keep him out of the starting line-up. Burton 6 Worked hard in the first half but just didn't get involved much in the second. Tudgay 6 If he had taken his early chance the game could've been so different. Worked hard to make up for his miss, but was ineffective when switched to the right-wing. Bullen 7 Appeared to organise the defence a little more and seemed a better option than Hinds, but he is still just a squad player. We need a centre-back! Esajas 9 If he was match fit he should've been on from the start. Beat the Bristol defence time and time again and quality of delivery into the box was top class. Forced a great save from their keeper from a fiercly hit free-kick. A very impressive debut from the Dutchman. Sodje 7 Was clearly trying hard to make a good first impression and played a lovely through ball for Watson. The Gaffer 7 Laws has limited options at the back and that could become a real problem for Wednesday in the coming months. If he was fit Esajas should have been on from the start and probably should have left brought Sodje on for Tudgay or Burton, rather than winger Johnson. The Support 6 The lowest home league crowd for four and a half years, but after the start we've had and the events during the summer clearly the Hillsborough faithful is beginning to lose confidence in the current lot in the boardroom. Chants of 'Allen Out' could be heard in the second half. The Officials 1 Absolutely dreadful and should be dropped to non-league after a performance as poor as this. Missed two absolute sitter penalty appeals for Wednesday - three if you include when Wood was being wrestled to the ground from an Owls corner. Gave Wednesday nothing all day. Overall: These are very worrying times for Wednesday. After such a poor start to the season the last thing they needed was to concede an early goal. City sat back and defended doggidly for the rest of the match, but were certainly very lucky to have gone home with all three points. The effort was certainly there from the players which is important, but confidence appears to be thin and that will all change when Wednesday start notching up some wins. Lady luck isn't on Wednesday's side at the moment, but it rarely is when you're at the bottom of the table.

Laws verdict: "They have had one shot and they have scored and from then on we had to chase the game." "But we have been very unlucky again and I feel like I must have run over a black cat." "The players are having a good go but it is just not happening for us. They are feeling a bit sorry for themselves but I have told them that there is not an awful lot wrong."