Is that what passes for improvement?

Last updated : 28 February 2010 By C. Morris

Last season Sheffield Wednesday were destroyed by six goals to nil at Reading so yesterday’s 5-0 humiliation at the Madejski Stadium could be regarded as progress. Perhaps next season if the Owls stay up they may be able to hold the Royals to four goals?

Seriously though, the ‘if’ Wednesday stay up is looking like a very big and debatable if at the moment. Three defeats and three shocking performances in a row have seen the Owls slump back into the relegation zone and the next few fixtures hardly paint a picture of optimism for the weeks ahead.

One look at Reading’s home record prior to this weekend’s fixture should have suggested a presentable opportunity to pick up some much needed points:

Played 14, Wins 3, Draws 6, Defeats 5, Goals scored 12, Goals conceded 17.

In those 14 games Reading had not scored more than two goals on any occasion and so to lose 5-0 to a club that has such a poor record and is potentially a rival for a relegation spot is nothing short of disgraceful. As stated, it is not just the defeat but the manner of the defeat that is concerning, for three games in succession Wednesday have been really poor and supporters are finding it hard to see where the next three points is going to come from. The heads seem to go down so quickly, to go from 0-0 five minutes from half time to 3-0 down barely 5 minutes into the second half should not be possible and to come out of the game without a single booking may be a good thing in terms of the disciplinary record it does perhaps suggest there is a lack of fight or ability to role the sleeves up and get stuck in when it really matters, this was after all supposed to be a huge game for both sides in light of the respective league positions.

Wednesday boast a goals against and goal difference record that is comparable to that of Peterborough and Scunthorpe and only three clubs have scored fewer goals than the Owls in the Championship.

The Owls now face play-off hunting Leicester at Hillsborough next weekend followed by a midweek trip to title chasing west Bromwich Albion and then a visit to 4th placed Swansea City on the Saturday.