By Nicholas Rigg
September 18 2005

Wednesday's hope of climbing out the relegation zone was put on hold today after a 2-1 defeat at the hands of fellow strugglers Millwall at Hillsborough. Ex-blade Carl Asaba scored the winning goal after Graham Coughlan had equalised a Barry Hayles opener.

It was back to business as usual at Hillsborough today as the Owls went down 2-1 at the hands of Millwall at Hillsborough.

Paul Sturrock warned fans not to raise their expectation levels too high following the victory over Leeds in mid-week, but if Wednesday are to stay in the championship this season then it's games like these that they should be winning.

Sturrock kept faith with the eleven that beat Leeds on Tuesday, but it looked like a completely different team that took the pitch infront of 22,400 fans today. The attacking two in Graham and Peacock looked totally inept, there was no 'penetration' down the flanks which Sturrock described as being so important to the team, and possibly for the first time with Sturrock in charge, his tactical decisions have to be questioned.

The game was a total contrast to Tuesday's affair, as both sides scrapped for control of the game. Chris Eagles came close for Wednesday with a free-kick which just cleared the crossbar. David Graham also had a goal ruled out for a foul in the Millwall area.

Millwall looked bright upfront with Barry Hayles and Ben May in the line-up, but looked anything but bright in defence. An awkward back-pass to keeper Andy Marshall nearly gifted Lee Peacock with his second league goal of the season, only for the ex Bristol City man to scuff his shot straight at Marshall.

Probably the best chance of the match went to Wednesday just before the end of the first half, as Peacock crossed an inch perfect cross on to the head of Graham, only for his header to go agonisingly wide.

Wednesday took to the field in the second half looking for a better performance to raise the Hillsborough faithful, but it was Barry Hayles who opened the scoring for the visitors just five minutes into play. A corner from Jody Morris was headed goalwards for John Hills to block, only for Hayles to react first and slot the ball in to the roof of the net and make it 1-0.

The Lions pushed on to get a second, and forced David Lucas in to a save from substitute Carl Asaba. Glenn Whelen was cautioned shorty afterwards for heavy debate of a handball from a Millwall chance, and seemed to lift the Wednesday fans.

Sturrock made a change to the side just minutes later, with club captain Lee Bullen and Adam Proudlock coming on for Chris Eagles and Adam Proudock respectively. Graham didn't have the best of games so the swap for Proudlock was predicted. The change of Eagles for Bullen was the one that baffled the Wednesday fans most.

Sturrock has been saying he is going back to how we played last season, pumping more balls in to the oppositons box. Why Eagles was substituted for Bullen is unknown, as Bullen seemed to be drifting from a midfield to a strikers role.

Wednesday had to take the game to Millwall, and finally got their reward through the unlikeliest of sources in Graham Coughlan. The ex-Plymouth man headed home from close range from a corner in the 65th minute to give the Owls their equaliser.

In the 72nd minute, Sturrock made what I believe to be his second tactical error of the afternoon. Craig Rocastle was brought on in place of Chris Brunt, who wasn't having his best of games but has the potential to create a top class pass or cross at any moment. The addition of Rocastle looked like Sturrock was happy with the point, despite Millwall not being in control of the game in any way.

The Owls carried on looking for the decisive second goal, but it was Millwall who hit Wednesday on the break. Typically, ex-blade Carl Asaba was the scorer in front of the Kop. Sturrock was made to pay for his tactical mis-judgement as the team looked one-dimensional and lacked any width with no further changes at his disposal.

Wednesday were left to push ever harder for a second equaliser, as Millwall looked to put men behind the ball and run the clock down. Peacock missed another good chance from inside the visitor's box, but proved just how vital a new striker is to the club after seeing his attempt drift wide of Marshall's far post.

So it's back to normality for the Owls, who now face two difficult tests with the visits to Luton Town and Crystal Palace respectively. The cup game with West Ham on Tuesday will give Sturrock the opportunity to experiment with his squad, but one thing is certain - a new striker is required if Wednesday wish to be playing championship football next season.