Second straight draw for Sheffield Wednesday, but plenty of positives for Pulis

Sheffield Wednesday picked up their first clean sheet under new manager Tony Pulis following a 0-0 draw with Stoke City at Hillsborough.

The draw keeps them within five points of Coventry, who grabbed a late draw at Norwich City that same afternoon.

In a game that could have done with some fireworks arguably Kadeem Harris provided the biggest spark. Having returned from a three-match ban, he had two huge chances to open the scoring in the first half. The first of which saw him drive inside from the right flank which he hit with his left foot, but his shot went narrowly wide of the goal.

On the half-hour mark, the ball fell kindly to Harris on the edge of the area. He struck the ball fiercely on the half volley, which had to be cleared off the line by John Obi Mikel.

Wednesday’s disciplined backline meant that Stoke struggled to create anything in front of goal in that first 45. That did change after the break though, first Tyrese Campbell had his shot pushed away by Owls’ goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith and then Sam Vokes almost met Jordan Cousin’s cross with a header.

And the Potters could have won it in stoppage time when Sam Vokes’ effort was cleared off the line by Sheffield Wednesday’s shot-stopper.

It was a defensive performance from a Pulis side that we have been accustomed to over the years. They were resolute and sound which restricted Stoke’s attacking threat of Nick Powell, James McClean, Lee Gregory and of course their top scorer Campbell.

But like Stoke, chances for the South Yorkshire side came few and far between.

Wednesday have only scored seven times this season (the second lowest in the division), which is something Pulis want to work on:

“The players’ attitude to having a go has been absolutely first class and today we were solid against a very good side, but we’re short in areas we need to address.

 “You need quality off set-plays and people who want to score from set-plays but you also need people who can sniff that goal out for you.

 “To win games, you’ve got to have it at both ends – you can’t just have it at one end.”

Despite the lack of goals, there is plenty of promise in that attacking line. It includes the likes of Harris, Adam Reach, Bannan, Josh Windass, Jordan Rhodes (who was subbed off after coming on at half-time), and the versatile Scotsman Callum Paterson.

With the attacking options all available for Pulis, as well as having a solid backline which boasts the second best defensive record in the Championship, (12 goals conceded) there is every reason to say they can avoid relegation to League One.

Wednesday have a tricky, but arguably a crucial December ahead of them. Following games against Reading and league leaders Norwich City, they then take on Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town and Barnsley.

That is then followed by a trip to Nottingham Forest, and then a home game with Coventry City. Two sides who are currently in touching distance of the Owls.

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