Wednesday’s goal scoring problems evident despite win over Coventry

Sheffield Wednesday picked up their first win of the Tony Pulis-era at the ninth attempt, beating Coventry City 1-0 at Hillsborough, a result which lifted the Owls off the foot of the table.

Tom Lees’ header midway through the second half proved the difference on the scoresheet, but the scoreline could have been a lot more comfortable than it ultimately proved.

Sheffield Wednesday have scored just 11 goals in their 20 games this season, the second lowest tally in the division, and they appeared to lack confidence in front of goal against Coventry City.

Pulis started the game with Josh Windass partnering Callum Paterson up front. The duo caused problems for the Coventry City defence, but neither are natural strikers. Windass has spent most of his career playing in behind a striker while Paterson has been used everywhere from right-back, to central midfield, to up front.

Paterson’s versatility was highlighted in the second half when Jordan Rhodes replaced midfielder Liam Shaw, in a move which saw Paterson drop back into midfield while Rhodes partnered Windass.

The former Cardiff City man looked both more comfortable, and more dangerous, playing in midfield than up front, but this switch also saw Wednesday change formation slightly.

Before the change Joey Pelupessy was playing in defensive midfield with Barry Bannan and Shaw just ahead of him. After the change Pelupessy moved forward, playing in line with Bannan, with Paterson going into attacking midfield.

Despite now having a more offensive line up Wednesday struggled to create more chances. Rhodes struggled to make an impact on the game, and looked to be lacking in match sharpness which was perhaps to be expected given his lack of minutes this season.

Elias Kachunga also came off the bench for Wednesday but only had a couple of minutes on the pitch. Kachunga, like Rhodes, has struggled for game time this campaign.

As a duo, if fit and sharp, Kachunga and Rhodes sound like a dangerous combination, but neither striker appears to be in favour at Hillsborough.

Despite their lack of goals this season, and lack of out and out strikers on the pitch against Coventry, Wednesday could still have won the game comfortably with the chances they created.

It took a while for the hosts to really get going, with hopeful shots from range from Bannan and Adam Reach the only efforts in the opening quarter of the game, but soon after came a glorious opportunity which should have seen Pulis’ side take the lead.

Kadeem Harris, playing at right wing back in place of the suspended Moses Odubajo, surged into the box and past a couple of challenges before playing in Windass in the middle who only had to shoot and he would probably have scored, but he hesitated and took far too long to get an effort away, before finally seeing a shot blocked with the opportunity wasted.

Then, just before the break, a chance from the other wing, with Reach playing in Shaw, who saw a shot blocked, but the ball fell perfectly for Windass who failed to take advantage of the situation, seeing his shot go wide of the post.

Then, just before the hour mark, Wednesday created another fantastic opening. Paterson flicked the ball on, with Windass again the beneficiary but the former Wigan Athletic man set himself and then fired straight at the keeper.

Wednesday were a touch fortunate that Coventry were also wasteful going forward meaning the score was still level, but the Sky Blues were growing into the game and looking more dangerous by the minute, before a Sheffield Wednesday counter attack saw Bannan brought down on the edge of the box.

Bannan took the freekick himself and picked out Lees who headed home to finally put Wednesday in front.

Coventry had chances to get back into the game, but Wednesday largely defended well and kept the visitors at bay.

But the hosts also had more chances to kill the game off, and none better than when Windass went through one-on-one in the last minute but hesitated before getting a shot off, which Ben Wilson saved.

The midfielder-turned-striker could have had a hattrick on another day but did not get on the scoresheet at all. The hesitant nature of his shots suggest a lack of confidence, something which could be addressed and could see a change of fortune both for him and for Wednesday if things click.

Windass is clearly getting into the right positions for the chances, and a bit more belief in his ability could have seen a big win for the hosts, despite the overall balance of the game being relatively even.

Having achieved a first win, Pulis now has something to build on. The clean sheet is another positive, but Wednesday have problems going forwards. Whether that be fitness, sharpness, or confidence, or a combination of all three, Pulis will have to find the answer to the problems if he is to avoid seeing Wednesday drop to League One next campaign.

It did not cost Sheffield Wednesday the points on Saturday against Coventry City, but it could on many occasions going forward if not resolved.

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