“No spark” “Clear standout man” Sheffield Wednesday player ratings as concerns continue at Cardiff City

Alex Miller
·3-min read
Out confidently when called upon in the first half and saved well down low from O’Dowda with his feet to keep the game alive.
Out confidently when called upon in the first half and saved well down low from O’Dowda with his feet to keep the game alive.

His touch and curling shot from outside the box was a diamond in the rough as a late penalty awarded against Will Vaulks for handball gave Cardiff a rare home win.

Wednesday had looked good in the first half in moments but failed to sustain their pressure to go to four defeats from four at the outset of the Championship season. Unable to deliver repeat moments of threat, they looked in trouble at the back for too much of a match played out between two average-looking sides.

Here are our player ratings from a concerning result in South Wales.

Making his 400th Owls appearance, he looked confident on the right of the back three in one of his many Swiss Army Knife roles. Meite got the run on him for a huge chance headed wide just before the half hour. Involved in the immediate build-up to the equaliser. Half a moment off the pace at times.
Making his 400th Owls appearance, he looked confident on the right of the back three in one of his many Swiss Army Knife roles. Meite got the run on him for a huge chance headed wide just before the half hour. Involved in the immediate build-up to the equaliser. Half a moment off the pace at times.
Pitted himself against fellow big unit Yakou Meite and did well in the wrestle, but was turned too many times and in moments of broken play looked sluggish. Passing stats lower than they should be for a team that wants to play out.
Pitted himself against fellow big unit Yakou Meite and did well in the wrestle, but was turned too many times and in moments of broken play looked sluggish. Passing stats lower than they should be for a team that wants to play out.
Making his first league start, Bernard was solid, the match passing without much of note. A good thing for a young centre-half, you’d think.
Making his first league start, Bernard was solid, the match passing without much of note. A good thing for a young centre-half, you’d think.
Contributed going forward and had a couple of dangerous-looking shots in the first half. Offered muscle and running in a committed defensive effort. Second on the pitch for tackles won and led the way on aerials.
Contributed going forward and had a couple of dangerous-looking shots in the first half. Offered muscle and running in a committed defensive effort. Second on the pitch for tackles won and led the way on aerials.
The subject of half-hearted boos early doors presumably of account of his Swansea City connection. Did enough to prevent a Swans goal from a swung-in corner and bobbed in and out OK in possession in the first half but seemed to fade.
The subject of half-hearted boos early doors presumably of account of his Swansea City connection. Did enough to prevent a Swans goal from a swung-in corner and bobbed in and out OK in possession in the first half but seemed to fade.
Out of the 10 and deeper, he produced an outstanding performance both on and off the ball. Yellow carded on 40 minutes but trod the line nicely - and got Wednesday out of a hole by curling one inside the post from outside the area. Had more of the ball than anyone else and was a clear standout man.
Out of the 10 and deeper, he produced an outstanding performance both on and off the ball. Yellow carded on 40 minutes but trod the line nicely - and got Wednesday out of a hole by curling one inside the post from outside the area. Had more of the ball than anyone else and was a clear standout man.
Lined up at left wing-back, a wee departure from where he’s been in his Owls career so far. Got away with a naughty one on Ng and was too easily turned by Ramsey after the half hour - generally given the runaround defensively but effective in moments going forward.
Lined up at left wing-back, a wee departure from where he’s been in his Owls career so far. Got away with a naughty one on Ng and was too easily turned by Ramsey after the half hour - generally given the runaround defensively but effective in moments going forward.
Got some joy with his pace early doors down the right. Headed a chance over after 10 minutes from a corner and generally offered something in the final third. Provided the touch that allowed Bannan to open up and score. Took too many touches on an effort a few moments later. Remarkably, he led on tackles.
Got some joy with his pace early doors down the right. Headed a chance over after 10 minutes from a corner and generally offered something in the final third. Provided the touch that allowed Bannan to open up and score. Took too many touches on an effort a few moments later. Remarkably, he led on tackles.
Stationed a little deeper than usual, he acted almost as a second 10 but couldn’t quite get into it try as he might.
Stationed a little deeper than usual, he acted almost as a second 10 but couldn’t quite get into it try as he might.
Making his first start under Xisco, Smith acted as a target man and put himself defensively, making a couple of important interventions. Couldn’t provide any spark despite his effort across the ground. Won a match-high five aerials to his credit.
Making his first start under Xisco, Smith acted as a target man and put himself defensively, making a couple of important interventions. Couldn’t provide any spark despite his effort across the ground. Won a match-high five aerials to his credit.
Came on with half an hour or so to go at his former club and looked a man on a mission, trying to push tempo and lost causes. His ball over the top almost allowed Windass to nod home but for an excellent Alnwick save. Gave away the pen - was it a handball?
Came on with half an hour or so to go at his former club and looked a man on a mission, trying to push tempo and lost causes. His ball over the top almost allowed Windass to nod home but for an excellent Alnwick save. Gave away the pen - was it a handball?
On in place of Smith. Made a couple of touches - including one in the build-up to the goal - but couldn’t get into things.
On in place of Smith. Made a couple of touches - including one in the build-up to the goal - but couldn’t get into things.
On late for Delgado.
On late for Delgado.
On late for Gregory.
On late for Gregory.
Sheffield Wednesday’s Lee Gregory wrestles Cardiff City’s Perry Ng for the ball. Pic: Steve Ellis
Sheffield Wednesday’s Lee Gregory wrestles Cardiff City’s Perry Ng for the ball. Pic: Steve Ellis