Back to the top

Perhaps it was a fortunate point, given that Wednesday had twice hit the bar and had forced Brian Jensen into one top save, and also that we were far from our best and didn't hit the heights we had done at Leicester in midweek.

Steve Cotterill, not surprisingly, named the same team as started at Leicester with the same five substitutes for a game that got off to something of a subdued start. For the home side, Sheffield Wednesday looked almost content to sit back.

It didn't take too long for us to get into our stride and we started to get on top, although we were constantly thwarted and frustrated by a side whose main tactic seemed to be to try and catch us offside. Time after time we were caught although more than once our players looked at the assistant with some surprise, hardly a surprise given that the officials struggled all afternoon even to get throw in decisions correct.

During this spell we should surely have had a penalty as Andy Gray moved on to a Jon Harley cross only to be blatantly pushed. There was nothing doing from referee Webster although it did not look a difficult decision to give.

If that was a let off for Wednesday, then we certainly had our let offs and twice in the first half the home side hit the woodwork with speculative efforts. Our only response was a shot from Wade Elliott that Aussie goalkeeper Brad Jones dealt with easily.

Half time came and frankly it had been a tedious first forty-five minutes but if we could step it up in the second half then there was no reason why we couldn't go on to win it. Wednesday hadn't looked any great shakes, despite those couple of shots, although it is fair to say we had hardly troubled Jones.

The second half proved to be a much livelier affair and we could have been behind almost from the restart. As the ball run loose in the box it was a home player who got to it first and the Beast made a superb reaction save to beat out a first time shot on the volley. It set the scene and the two sides finally decided to attack each other.

They had the ball in the net but the whistle had already gone for a foul and this sparked us into life. We started to push men forward in what was our best spell of the game, but it didn't last and it was Wednesday who took the lead, when we conceded our first goal of the season.

Referee Webster pointed to the spot as Frank Simek went down under a challenge from Jon Harley. There was hardly an argument and Steven MacLean sent Jensen the wrong way to give Wednesday a 1-0 lead.

Steve Cotterill made an immediate change, bringing on Kyle Lafferty for the disappointing Alan Mahon whilst just a few minutes later Wade Elliott gave way for James O'Connor. The double substitution certainly helped us and we put Wednesday under some pressure.

And with eight minutes to go came the goal. Frank Sinclair got down the right, got in a cross that was headed back across by Chris McCann for Jimmy O to tuck in from close range.

The big Burnley following, in good voice all afternoon, lifted the support a few more decibels as we came pouring forward again, but it was end to end stuff and either side could have nicked a winner.

There were to be no more goals though, just a red card as Andy Gray, booked just before the equaliser, was given a second yellow card for kicking the ball away after being caught offside again, a decision that looked a particularly bad one. It means the striker will miss next Saturday's home game against Wolves whilst he serves a one match suspension.

It was disappointing to lose our 100% record, but good to see us back on top and to remain unbeaten even though we were nowhere near our best. There were too many disappointing performances and the midfield, so strong at Leicester, really struggled to have any sort of impact this afternoon.

For once my man of the match selection is easy, there was only one real candidate for me and that was Frank Sinclair. Sometimes I wonder about him at full back but today, besides the top defending we have come to expect, he prompted going forward, linked up well with the forward players and got some good balls into the box. A top performance from Frank.

Overall it was a good point, given the performance, and I think we must all be very happy with seven points from the first three games. Now let's just get back to winning ways.

The teams were;

Sheffield Wednesday: Brad Jones, Madjid Bougherra, Graham Coughlan, Tommy Spurr, Kenny Lunt (Wade Small 84), Frank Simek, Glenn Whelan, Burton O'Brien, John Hills, Chris Brunt, Steven MacLean (Sean McAllister 88). Subs not used: Chris Adamson, Rory McArdle, Luke Boden.

Burnley: Brian Jensen, Frank Sinclair, Wayne Thomas, Michael Duff, Jon Harley, Wade Elliott (James O'Connor 76), Micah Hyde, Chris McCann, Alan Mahon (Kyle Lafferty 68), Andy Gray, Steve Jones (Stephen Foster 89). Subs not used: John McGreal, Garreth ‘Connor.

Referee: Colin Webster (Tyne and Wear).

Attendance: 22,425.