A horrible afternoon in South Yorkshire and one that we didn’t predict. If we had thought the same spirit and character would be in the side from the last couple of away games we wouldn’t have been so shocked as the side absolutely crumbled after conceding the first goal. We didn’t get to grips with the home side at all and we actually made them look like world beaters.
Ratings
Felix Wiedwald – 4 – I haven’t been too bothered about him this season and have liked his sweeper keeper sty;le but he didn’t help us out at all today. Discussing the game on the way back from Sheffield it was pointed out correctly that he hides behind the striker so he doesn’t have to come for the ball. Wasn’t helped out by his defenders today.
Luke Ayling – 4 – I love Ayling but we got absolutely torn apart all over today and that wasn’t any better down his side. Rarely got forward and couldn’t get to grips with Barry Bannan who ended up looking the Scottish version of Messi when he really isn’t. Torrid time down our right.
Pontus Jansson – 4 – Another who had a dreadful game. Talked the talk before the game but clearly his team-mates hadn’t got the message that we were off to war. He got pulled around and was left exposed by a terrible central midfield. Neither he or Pennington could cope with Steven Fletcher or Gary Hooper, and they punished us.
Matthew Pennington – 4 – Pennington had a disaster up against Steven Fletcher today. The Scottish striker bullied him from start to finish and seemed to match himself onto the defender knowing he had the beating of him.
Gaetano Berardi – 4 – His side was arguably getting it worse than the other. The flanks were overrun and Berardi couldn’t seem to cope with Ross Wallace who tormented him for most of the game. Ended up playing at centre-back.
Eunan O’Kane – 3 – Had an afternoon to forget and was just left running around chasing shadows. Gary Hooper dropped into his area and wasn’t tracked time and time again and he didn’t know whether he was coming or going. His pass for the third goal summed up his afternoon.
Kalvin Phillips – 3 – It was the worst area of the park in the middle, and Phillips was so far off the pace. I was stunned not to see Ronaldo Vieira brought on at the break. The only tackle Phillips seemed to win was when he got through on goal. Terrible afternoon and left O’Kane exposed massively.
Gjanni Alioski – 3 – I said this was a big game for him and for me this is the 5th game on the bounce where he has done nothing. I really like what he is about and his passion but his delivery and end product simply hasn’t been good enough since the Forest game.
Samu Saiz – 6 – The only player who took the game to Wednesday and seemed to make things happen. Had it all on his shoulders today and had little help. When he did have the ball the movement around him was absolutely shocking and players were hiding after we went 1-0 down. Fair play to Saiz, he kept trying.
Kemar Roofe – 4 – Didn’t have a good day at all. Seemed to drift out of the game after the first like many of the others and really struggled to do his defensive work throughout. Needed him to get on the ball and run at players and he didn’t.
Pierrie-Michel Lasogga – 5 – Lasogga got nothing all day really. He got one chance which Alioski crossed very poor but two defenders missed, he touched but fired it off the post, the moment we probably needed to get right back into the game. Wingers gave him nothing today.
Subs
Pablo Hernandez – 6
Hadi Sacko – 4
Stuart Dallas – 4
