Clean sheets give Owls cause to be optimistic in winless run

The Owls right-back has been a stand-out performer this season, with first-choice Lewis Buxton sidelined with injuries.

Since being thrashed 7-0 at Manchester City on September 24, Stuart Gray’s side have not won a game, a run which has seen them slip away from the Championship play-off places.

Yet, apart from the 3-0 home loss to Watford on Saturday, Wednesday have been competitive and could easily have picked up a couple of wins.

None more so than on Tuesday night in their 0-0 draw at Brentford – Wednesday’s eighth clean sheet in 16 games – when Stevie May was denied a goal when he struck the post.

Palmer said: “The way to respond to a set back like Saturday is to go to Brentford, be solid, be resilient and I think we did that.

“We have got to keep doing the basics well and stay compact as a unit. When you go down to an early goal, it can make life difficult.

“But if you can have that mentality of being tough to beat from the start.”

“We were happy to come away with a point in the end, we had our chances but had to defend well and it’s always pleasing to get a clean sheet.

“It was a fast pace and I thought we worked the ball in good areas, put in some good crosses and were unlucky on a number of occasions.

“Maybe we do need that bit of luck with the ball going in off the post rather than coming back out to safety.”

Next up for Wednesday is the visit of Norwich City on Saturday.

Left-back Joe Mattock is suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season at Griffin Park. Also missing will be right-back Buxton (knee) and former Chelsea midfielder Sam Hutchinson (knee).