Sheffield Wednesday picked up their first point in three attempts this season in front of the live television cameras and did so thanks to a determined defensive display.
In truth clear cut chances were few and far between for both sides but with the Owls having shipped 7 goals in their previous two televised games and 14 in 8 away games in total the clean sheet is a definite positive to take from a largely uninspiring game.
The fact that 3 of the back 4 were booked inside half an hour was a concern but they managed to keep their composure and didn’t put themselves in a position that could have seen them sent off. Wednesday have been punished for sloppy individual errors on many occasions this season but the no nonsense approach of Buxton and Hinds, putting the ball out of play and regrouping has helped to eradicate this somewhat and the team certainly look more solid since the recent switch in personnel at the back. It may not always be great to watch when they do this but for a team that has won just 4 away games in 2009 there has to be a time when concentrating on defending and not taking risks becomes a priority.
In the context of the Owls current Championship form a point is not a bad result. Some may look at the table and say the team needs to start picking up wins and a game against a struggling Ipswich side was an ideal opportunity but it’s not always as straightforward as that.
Despite their lowly league position Ipswich are improving in terms of results and are now on a run of 6 games unbeaten. Their main problem has been turning draws into wins but they have only lost 2 home games in the league so far which is less than the Owls have lost at Hillsborough this season.
A determined display in difficult conditions was worthy of a point and it might have been more had the officials spotted awarded the Owls a penalty for a handball in the first half but it has been a week for missed handling infringements inside the penalty area.
Picking up points on the road is fine if the team are getting the right results at home so the Owls now need to address their recent slump at Hillsborough with back to back home games against high flying West Brom and struggling Reading to come.
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