It was not Sheffield Wednesday’s best performance of the season, but it may have provided the clearest indication yet of the character developing within Henrik Pedersen’s new-look squad.
Yan Valery’s late winner secured a 2-1 victory over Peterborough United, moved Wednesday to the top of League One and completed a perfect nine-point week.
All three of the Owls’ away league games this season have now ended in 2-1 victories. It is the first time since 2003 that Wednesday have won their opening three league fixtures on the road.
Backed by close to 4,000 fans at London Road, Wednesday had to withstand sustained Peterborough pressure, recover after conceding shortly after half time and adapt following another defensive injury.
It was not always comfortable or particularly controlled. However, after scoring seven against Bromley, Wednesday have now shown twice in the space of five days that they can also grind out a result.
A different test for Wednesday
Peterborough began the afternoon with only one victory from their opening four league games, but their performance was far better than that record might suggest.
Luke Williams’ side moved the ball confidently and carried a threat through Harry Leonard and Ethan Williams. Rather than constantly pressing the player in possession, Peterborough frequently anticipated Wednesday’s next pass and stepped in to regain the ball.
That contributed to some unusually sloppy periods from the Owls, particularly in midfield.
Pedersen acknowledged before the game that Peterborough were one of the division’s strongest possession teams. Attempting to press them after two physical matches against Bromley and Wycombe was always going to test Wednesday’s fitness.
The opening goal showed what Pedersen wants his side to produce more regularly.
Davis Keillor-Dunn helped move the ball towards Barry Bannan after Wednesday regained possession high up the pitch. Bannan’s effort was blocked, but Kieran Morrison followed it in and lifted the loose ball beyond Alex Bass.
Morrison’s effort was prevented from crossing the line, only for Josh Feeney’s attempted clearance to rebound into the net off a teammate.
It was officially recorded as a Feeney own goal, but the pressure applied by Bannan and Morrison created the breakthrough.
Peterborough almost responded immediately. Williams delivered from the left and Leonard’s effort struck the post, leaving Wednesday relieved to reach the interval with their advantage intact.
Life without Louie Barry
Wednesday are still learning how to attack without Louie Barry.
Barry offered an obvious outlet during the opening weeks of the season. Wednesday could play into his feet or send the ball beyond the opposition full-back and trust him to carry the team up the pitch.
Morrison is a different type of player and did not provide that same outlet from the left. He looked more comfortable when moving across to the right, where he could cut inside onto his left foot.
Despite that, the Liverpool loanee made a decisive contribution to both Wednesday goals and forced Bass into a good first-half save.
Keillor-Dunn, meanwhile, had a quiet debut after joining the club only days earlier.
Pedersen explained that the forward was used centrally to simplify his responsibilities. The intention was for him to remain higher up the pitch, make runs behind the defence and avoid becoming overly involved in Wednesday’s positional rotations.
It did not result in an immediately fluent attacking performance, but judging Keillor-Dunn on one appearance after so little time with his teammates would be premature.
The combinations and understanding will develop through training.
Another difficult start after half time
Wednesday’s habit of beginning the second half slowly resurfaced.
Liam Cooper was unable to continue and was replaced by Ernie Weaver, leaving the Owls with a young central defensive partnership.
Within two minutes of the restart, James Dornelly was allowed to cross and Ben Woods arrived unmarked to head beyond Joe Lumley.
There were several opportunities to prevent the goal, rather than responsibility resting entirely with one player. Wednesday’s midfield had become stretched, the defenders were not close enough together and Woods encountered little resistance as he entered the area.
With Peterborough’s confidence growing, it briefly appeared that the hosts were the more likely side to score again.
Pedersen responded before the hour by introducing Billy Mitchell, Ali Al-Hamadi and Mason Burstow in place of Jaden Heskey, Keillor-Dunn and Jamal Lowe.
The changes transformed Wednesday’s approach.
Mitchell brought greater control and experience to the midfield, while Al-Hamadi and Burstow offered two physical targets willing to run into the channels and compete with the Peterborough centre-backs.
Wednesday could suddenly move up the pitch more quickly. The midfield was able to play forward with greater purpose because the substitutes provided a focal point that had been missing earlier.
Lowe had already passed up a major opportunity to restore the lead, sending Morrison’s low delivery over the bar from close range, but Wednesday gradually regained their attacking threat.
A goal from a corner
After a succession of deliveries had failed to trouble Peterborough, Wednesday finally made one of their corners count in the 79th minute.
Morrison sent an inswinging delivery towards the near post and Valery applied the decisive touch. Whether it came off his head, shoulder or chest mattered little as the ball found its way beyond Bass.
It was Wednesday’s first goal directly from a corner this season and another important contribution from Valery.
Peterborough threw players forward during the closing stages and seven minutes of added time increased the tension inside the away end.
The Owls had to defend their penalty area, make blocks and rely on Lumley during a late goalmouth scramble, but they held on.
Pedersen was particularly pleased with the manner of the victory. His side had beaten Wycombe after falling behind and then recovered from losing their lead at Peterborough.
Different circumstances produced the same outcome.
A squad still coming together
Wednesday have now won four of their opening five league games despite assembling much of the squad during the summer and adding several players after pre-season.
Pedersen believes the team must become fitter and develop stronger connections, but he has been encouraged by the culture already forming within the group.
Bannan also praised the competition within Wednesday’s new midfield. He described Callum Slattery as a player who brings energy and works relentlessly, backed Jaden Heskey to improve in a stronger side and insisted Billy Mitchell is capable of playing above League One level.
That depth proved important at Peterborough.
There remain concerns in defence. Cooper was forced off at half time, Valery could not complete the game and several players looked exhausted following three demanding fixtures.
A free week before Wigan Athletic’s visit to Hillsborough has therefore arrived at a useful time.
There is plenty for Pedersen to work on. Wednesday were too open through midfield, conceded another avoidable goal and struggled to reproduce the attacking fluency seen against Bromley.
But this remains a newly assembled team learning while it wins.
Four victories from five, three consecutive away successes and top of League One represents an excellent beginning.
Wednesday will play better than they did at Peterborough. The encouraging part is that they did not need to play better to find a way home with another three points.
Image credit: SWFC