“A worry” “A bit mad” Sheffield Wednesday player ratings in dour basement draw with Middlesbrough

Alex Miller
·3-min read
Timed his interception of Silvera’s one-on-one beautifully on 50 minutes. Putting it politely, he was not exactly decisive in dealing with Boro’s equaliser.
Timed his interception of Silvera’s one-on-one beautifully on 50 minutes. Putting it politely, he was not exactly decisive in dealing with Boro’s equaliser.

The teams made up two thirds of the Championship outfits to enter round seven of the fixture list without a win and will head into round eight in the same position despite Anthony Musaba’s first half opener.

Middlesbrough, among the challengers for promotion last season, looked timid in the first 45 and the Owls took advantage, taking a deserved lead into the break.

Bt the second half was a different story and the Teessiders dragged their way back into it with Darragh Lenihan’s headed effort.

Making his first league start for the Owls, he was bright and picked up good ball in excellent areas. His style of play seems to be a bit mad and on it’s day can be highly effective. He faded - as they all did - as the game went on.
Making his first league start for the Owls, he was bright and picked up good ball in excellent areas. His style of play seems to be a bit mad and on it’s day can be highly effective. He faded - as they all did - as the game went on.

Another point on the board feels like a so-so return as Wednesday continue on their quest for a win under Xisco.

Here are our player ratings from a fairly dour evening at S6.

Competent in defence and turned it on in the final third to join-up Valentin’s wingplay with Musaba’s finish. Another encouraging effort.
Competent in defence and turned it on in the final third to join-up Valentin’s wingplay with Musaba’s finish. Another encouraging effort.
Strong when called upon and pushed the ball about with confidence in the first half, albeit against little Boro pressure. Had some hairy moments as the game went on - not least an errant pass that invited pressure late on.
Strong when called upon and pushed the ball about with confidence in the first half, albeit against little Boro pressure. Had some hairy moments as the game went on - not least an errant pass that invited pressure late on.
Performed an 11th-minute ballet spin that was a thing of beauty. Produced a cracking goal-saving block in the first half. Offered a bit going forward, too, though his attacking limitations were perhaps shown at wing-back. An up and down game. Surely fouled in losing Lenihan for Boro’s first?
Performed an 11th-minute ballet spin that was a thing of beauty. Produced a cracking goal-saving block in the first half. Offered a bit going forward, too, though his attacking limitations were perhaps shown at wing-back. An up and down game. Surely fouled in losing Lenihan for Boro’s first?
Jinked and jostled his way through a few attacks and offered his fair share. He looked to tire as the game continued and was taken off with 20-odd to go.
Jinked and jostled his way through a few attacks and offered his fair share. He looked to tire as the game continued and was taken off with 20-odd to go.
Quietly tidy with most of what he did, though the fact is that he didn’t impact things as he’d have liked. Looks like a player still edging his way into match sharpness and came off on the hour.
Quietly tidy with most of what he did, though the fact is that he didn’t impact things as he’d have liked. Looks like a player still edging his way into match sharpness and came off on the hour.
Had plenty of the ball and retained possession effectively for large periods. Didn’t however have the grip on proceedings he prides himself on and faded. Looked to be a player carrying an injury - which he is.
Had plenty of the ball and retained possession effectively for large periods. Didn’t however have the grip on proceedings he prides himself on and faded. Looked to be a player carrying an injury - which he is.
Produced some good touches in tight areas. Faded as the side did as the second half wore on, but offers a bit of bite and energy and looks to be a very encouraging bit of business.
Produced some good touches in tight areas. Faded as the side did as the second half wore on, but offers a bit of bite and energy and looks to be a very encouraging bit of business.
A worry. Off at 34 minutes having been treated twice for what looked to be a muscle injury. Had to that point been bright in little half-moments. Replaced by Musaba.
A worry. Off at 34 minutes having been treated twice for what looked to be a muscle injury. Had to that point been bright in little half-moments. Replaced by Musaba.
Failed to get the vital touch for a great chance on 10 minutes when the ball fizzed through bodies. Made some important defensive contributions and worked hard - but his impact was minimal and his touch count (10) was again very low.
Failed to get the vital touch for a great chance on 10 minutes when the ball fizzed through bodies. Made some important defensive contributions and worked hard - but his impact was minimal and his touch count (10) was again very low.
On for the injured Windass just after the half-hour mark and made an immediate impact, wrestling home his second Owls goal. Some decent runs. Found himself beneath the ball for Boro’s headed equaliser.
On for the injured Windass just after the half-hour mark and made an immediate impact, wrestling home his second Owls goal. Some decent runs. Found himself beneath the ball for Boro’s headed equaliser.
On for Fletcher a shade before the hour. Ploughed a lonely road for the most part but worked for scraps. Used his body well to set up one attack on 74 minutes and made Byers’ late chance.
On for Fletcher a shade before the hour. Ploughed a lonely road for the most part but worked for scraps. Used his body well to set up one attack on 74 minutes and made Byers’ late chance.
On for Hendrick on the hour with Boro growing in momentum, he certainly didn’t quite have the tide-turning impact he may have preferred. Curled an excellent late chance wide.
On for Hendrick on the hour with Boro growing in momentum, he certainly didn’t quite have the tide-turning impact he may have preferred. Curled an excellent late chance wide.
On for Delgado with 22 minutes remaining as Xisco shuffled things about. Slotted in at right centre-half and was solid enough.
On for Delgado with 22 minutes remaining as Xisco shuffled things about. Slotted in at right centre-half and was solid enough.
Brought on for Buckley with 68 minutes on the clock. Shot over on 71 minutes from Gregory’s knockdown. Seemed to be stationed in wide areas, which was an interesting call.
Brought on for Buckley with 68 minutes on the clock. Shot over on 71 minutes from Gregory’s knockdown. Seemed to be stationed in wide areas, which was an interesting call.
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