Anyone inclined to view this one as a gimmee for us would have been deluding themselves. Sheff Wed had mustered some credible draws of late and would be desperate for a win in front of their fans. Plus with games against Oxford and West Brom still to come, they would be looking at this game as one they might win in their drive to avoid ending the season with a negative points tally. But for us, after five winless games, including three consecutive home defeats, and with tough asks against Ipswich, Hull and Swansea to follow, this was pretty close to a must-win, even taking on board Blackburn’s draw last night with Coventry, Portsmouth’s win over Leicester, and Oxford’s defeat at Derby before we kicked a ball. Those results meant that, although a win wouldn’t mean we were mathematically safe, Oxford would have to win their last three and us lose ours for us to go down.
In the event Wednesday didn’t get their home win and we didn’t take the three points either, although for a decent chunk of the game it looked as though we were going to. It was hardly a classic performance, surrendering possession and sitting deep, hoping to nick one from a set piece and hold on. We did nick one, and we hit the woodwork either side of that goal. But we invited too much play around our box and eventually that produced an error, from Mannion, to level things up. It felt like big points dropped – but if you don’t score more than one in a game and aren’t keeping clean sheets it’s not exactly a winning combination.
For the team/squad it seemed Jones the Boss would have some decisions to make, if some – eg Kaminski, Coady, Clarke, Burke, Sichenje - were available again and which front-line selection to go with. Ramsay missed out with a hamstring injury, so ahead of Mannion (with Kaminski back as back-up) fit again Burke came in to partner Jones and Bell, while Clarke returned for Fevrier as right-side wing-back, Chambers on the other side. Sichenje was back available and among the subs, along with Gillesphey and Fevrier. In midfield Coady was back in alongside Docherty, Rankin-Costello back among the subs, while there was no place in the squad, let along the starting XI, for Coventry. Just why I’ve no idea. Also Knibbs replaced Berry on the bench, no place again for Fullah. Up front Campbell was dropped for Godden alongside Dykes, with him, Leaburn and Kelman the options available from the bench.
The first half was almost a complete non-event. Wednesday dominated possession but created nothing in the final third – with one significant exception as on 26 minutes their guy wriggled free on their left, getting past Clarke and to the by-line, only to be brought down by Burke. The ref decided that the foul was just outside the box, the replays left the matter in doubt, no question we would have been howling for the penalty. We struggled to hold onto the ball and were reduced largely to defending. The wing-backs weren’t getting forward, the midfield was too happily defensive, with no drive or pace, and without Campbell there was no width, leaving the front two isolated and feeding of scraps. We really only threatened from set pieces, when the troops could go forward and cause chaos, and once when they gave the ball away playing it around at the back, leading to a Godden effort blocked and Docherty’s follow-up shot saved (it was to be the only effort from either side on target in the first half).
Right at the end we did come close again as from a long throw headers resulted in Godden nipping in and with his back to goal a flick on the turn came back off the crossbar. That chance might have helped convince Jones at the break that the plan was working, we just needed to convert something scrappy and then see the game out. The stats at the break confirmed 68.5% possession for them but from that just two attempts on goal, neither on target.
That conviction will have been reinforced early in the second half as we did take the lead. A free-kick from deep was headed on by Jones and Godden managed to control the ball. Although seemingly blocked by defenders, he managed to find a route to goal with a poked shot into the corner. Goals change games and this one seemed to settle us down.
On 59 minutes, after Sichenje had replaced a presumably tiring Burke, we came so close to doubling our lead and probably securing the points. A ball forward was nodded on for Carey to take in his stride. He managed to take it into the box and his shot with his right went across the goal, only to hit the inside of the post and not go in. An inch to the right and we probably would have won.
But instead of being better able to control the game now ahead, we retreated into heavily defensive mode, allowing Wednesday ample time and space to get crosses in and win corners. We were dealing with them, but the fact that it might only take one mistake, playing the game so close to our goal, was underlined when Mannion came for a corner and didn’t collect the ball. Their guy managed to touch it wide of him and another prodded it into an empty net. Mannion claimed a foul but more out of desperation than expectation and the game was all-square.
That sparked changes from us, with Leaburn and Campbell replacing Dykes and Godden, while Gillesphey came on for Chambers. Can’t really say the changes had the desired impact as Wednesday continued to keep the ball and our fresh front two found it hard to get into the game. Wednesday had a half-chance on 86 minutes as a ball in cleared defenders and was met by one of theirs in space at the far post, but perhaps surprised by it getting to him he put it wide. We did have a break on 89 minutes, Docherty finding TC, but his cross couldn’t pick out Leaburn. And after Rankin-Costello had replaced Carey in stoppage time the game was perhaps summed up as Clarke went on a splendid run forward, foxing a couple of defenders, only to squander the chance by blazing over the bar.
At the end it was handshakes all round but neither side/manager will have been really pleased. Wednesday will point to them dominating possession, but quite frankly we’re used to that. We will point to twice hitting the woodwork, the second time especially, they will continue to claim they should have had a first-half penalty. All ifs and buts, fact is we had the opportunity to all but secure our place in the division and didn’t take it, making it six without a win.
The other results mean that everyone is looking at Leicester – who will be relegated unless they win their final three and others falter, or West Brom get deducted points – and Oxford, who are five points adrift with three to play (Wrexham, Sheff Wed, before finishing the season at Millwall). If both Oxford and Leicester lose tough games on Tuesday night, we would know that a point against Ipswich would be enough – and for that game the emphasis would be clearly on defence. We may be limping over the line, but are still likely to avoid the drop. Today we could have made it all but certain.
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