'Everywhere we go...' - Sheffield Wednesday's defiant fans got Hull City tongues wagging
Sheffield Wednesday fans were beaten 3-1 by Hull City on Saturday afternoon, but it's not the game that will be remembered.
The game went the same way as so many others have for the Owls this season. They played well for periods, they looked the better team at times even, but in the end they ran out of gas and the opponent took advantage. We’ve seen this film before.
When Jamal Lowe opened the scoring, however, there was a glimmer of hope. Wednesday are due a win - it’s now been six months since their last one. The goal was as scrappy as they come, and was deflected past Ivor Pandur, but do you think anybody in that away end cared? Nah, me neither... Shirts were off as Lowe and Co danced in front of a jubilant away end, and thousands of supporters wondered if today was the day they finally tasted victory.
The thoughts didn’t last long, though. 92 seconds to be exact. That’s how much time passed by from the minute Wednesday’s number nine hit the back of the net to when Matt Crooks did the same at the other end. He couldn’t really miss as Kyle Joseph put it on a platter for him right in front of Pierce Charles’ net. 1-1, and the joy was short-lived. Or so you’d think.
But the thing is, these fans aren’t that bothered about the results anymore. They know their team is relegated, they know there’s a chance they don’t see another win all season. Yet they still follow their team up and down the country like the fanatics that they are, because that’s what they’re really good at. Even when the chips are down, they’ll keep turning up. ‘Til the wheels fall off.
The players responded well, too. Jarvis Thornton had a low strike saved down to Pandur’s right, and - as we’ve seen so often - the Owls rallied. With the half-time whistle approaching they were heading into the break deservedly level…
One last chance for the hosts before the break, though, as Liam Palmer was penalised for an incredibly soft foul that gave Hull one last role of the dice before half-time. Set pieces haven’t been a strong suit for Wednesday, so many expected the worst.
Paddy McNair whipped in a dangerous ball, and a little knick sent it right into Dominic Iorfa’s face - and then past Charles in goal. 2-1, and it was the sort of goal that truly summed up this season for Wednesdayites. Former Blade, Ollie McBurnie, seemed to claim it as he wheeled away in celebration - but there was no chance of him being credited. 2-1.
There wasn’t much to write home about as the second half got underway, and for a while the two teams just continued to win the ball and lose the ball. Neither was able to keep hold of it too much, and the pitch was heavy - so much so that Sergej Jakirović complained about it afterwards.
It was in the 59th minute that the final blow came, with Joseph turning goalscorer after a neat little cutback from McBurnie found him in the box. It was far too easy for the hosts, and came from another Wednesday dispossession by the halfway line. An all-too-familiar occurrence, sadly.
Seven minutes later it was almost four, too, with Henrik Pedersen’s men being sliced open before Joe Gelhardt finished well past the Owls ‘keeper. The offside call was right, but it was close. It remained 3-1 and would finish that way.
That wasn’t the only noticeable thing about that point in the game, however. It was also the stage at which the 2,300 travelling Wednesdayites launched into a rendition of, ‘Wednesday are massive, everywhere we go’… It didn’t stop. Chests were out, shirts were being swung around in the March air, and they drowned out any noise made by their play-off-chasing hosts. ‘Everywhere we goooo’.
In another afternoon of limited positives, once again the away fans were a huge one. Max Lowe’s return was a big boost, and he showed in his half an hour exactly why he’s been so badly missed. But aside from that, there wasn’t much to shout about… Though that didn’t stop the shirtless wonders in the corner. So impressive were they, that their performance sparked a war of words among some home supporters online - with many of those sending praise being shot down by fellow Tigers fans (and others).
Pedersen’s side have seven games left to play before the curtain comes down on this monstrosity of a season, and then it’ll be goodbye Championship. Best believe that lot in the stands, with that Owl on their chest, won’t be going quietly.