Match verdict on Sheffield Wednesday 1 Derby County 2 '“ How the Owls are sleepwalking into a relegation scrap

 Sheffield Wednesday are sleepwalking towards a grim relegation battle.

Only three points separate the 18th-placed Owls from the bottom three following a six-match winless run.

"We are not blind; we know where we are in the table and the other teams are getting closer to us," said Wednesday midfielder Joey Pelupessy. "We have put ourselves in this position by losing five of the last six games.

"We showed before if you win a lot that you can get in the top six. We have to get results."

The team's alarming slump in form and slide down the Championship has prompted some supporters to call for a change of manager.

Saturday's defeat to Derby County further cranked up the pressure on boss Jos Luhukay.

The beleaguered Dutch chief said he "does not know" whether he will be given the time to turn things around.

Luhukay said: "I cannot give an answer to that. It is not my decision.

"I try my best every day with my team and we hope we win the next game."

Only rock-bottom Ipswich Town (0) have won fewer home matches than Wednesday (2) in the 2018/19 season.

But the Owls have the worst defensive record in the division, having shipped in 32 goals in 18 outings.

Pelupessy said: "You win as a team and you lose as a team.

"We have made a lot of mistakes in the last few weeks. It is not only the defenders or the midfielders. It is the whole team."

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THE GAME

Wednesday went ahead in the 12th minute after their standout performer Adam Reach latched on a superb pass by Barry Bannan before calmly side-footing a low shot past ex-Owls loanee Scott Carson.

The hosts were on top. Buoyed by the return from injury of Fernando Forestieri, Wednesday looked dangerous as an attacking unit.

Derby dug deep and waited for their chance to pick the Owls off on the counter attack.

Harry Wilson duly delivered before the half hour mark, sending a fierce shot past Cameron Dawson after more sloppy Wednesday defending. It was completely against the run of play.

A dreadful clearance by Michael Hector led to Jack Marriott's 35th minute winner, with the Rams easily going through the heart of the Owls' rearguard. It was all way too easy.

Luhukay said: "We lost in five minutes our lead, and it was totally not necessary. We controlled the first 30 minutes of the game - we played very well, we had chances. The two goals were too easy."

There was not a long wrong with Wednesday's performance. They did more of the attacking in both halves but were made to pay for two defensive lapses in concentration and wayward finishing.

"It was so frustrating because I don't think we played a bad game," said Pelupessy. "We made a few mistakes for the goals.

"It wasn't just one player. It was a few. I think we were a little bit unlucky with the first one but we should have done better for the second."