Exeter City 2 Sheffield Wednesday 1: ‘A few of our players think they are better than they are’

Disgruntled Gary Megson has thrown down the gauntlet to his Sheffield Wednesday players to end their mini slump.

The Owls have struggled since the departure of key player Ben Marshall, recalled from his loan spell by Premier League side Stoke City before a £1m move to Championship outfit Leicester City.

The latest disappointment came in a 2-1 defeat at struggling Exeter, who had failed to even score in their last four games.

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Marshall last played in the 1-0 home defeat to League One leaders Charlton Athletic on January 14, but including that loss, the Owls have won just twice in their last eight games.

It is not just his goals or assists which Wednesday have missed, but Marshall’s ability to force the tempo in games.

They went out of the FA Cup after a lacklustre performance to Blackpool and only remain in second place in League One because rivals have been frozen out by the winter weather.

The Owls are one point better off than city neighbours Sheffield United – after the Blades’ 3-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers – but have played two games more.

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“We are looking nowhere near the side we were four weeks ago and that has to change,” said Megson.

“These players are paid a lot of money for this level.

“Now they need to shape themselves.”

While Marshall’s exit has been a real body blow for Wednesday, the remaining squad have under-performed in the last month to compound the problem.

Jermaine Johnson – arguably having his best run in an Owls shirt since Marshall’s departure – had given the Owls a second-half lead, volleying home from the edge of the area on 66 minutes.

But within two minutes the Grecians were level with a free-kick from Billy Jones, which beat Stephen Bywater.

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Then late on, David Noble repeated the trick with another set-piece special to send Megson and his team home empty-handed.

Megson said: “I am more than disappointed because today was a big result for us. Not many games were played in our division and we had a chance to push on but we have done the opposite.

“JJ has scored a great goal and given us a great chance for the win but then our defending is terrible and we lose the game.

“There have been times when we have lost games, but we haven’t lost them like that.

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“I didn’t think we were like ourselves. The only threat that we looked like we’ve got is JJ (Jermaine Johnson) and it’s a fantastic strike and, as I’ve said, he does look a threat, but a lot of our players at the moment are not playing in the right manner.

“We’re second from top and we’re not really pushing to kick on from that. We have got a few players who think they are better than they are and they’ve got to start shaping themselves. I was so disappointed with that today.”

Wednesday defender Miguel Llera (head injury) is a doubt for tomorrow’s home game against sixth-placed Stevenage.

Exeter City: Krysiak, Tully, Jones, Dunne, Archibald-Henville, Noble, Nardiello (O’Flynn 87), Coles (Duffy 90), Bauza, (Sercombe 65) Bennett, Taylor. Unused substitutes: Pidgeley, Duffy, Logan

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Sheffield Wednesday: Bywater, Bennett, Batth, Llera (R Jones 66), Buxton, J Johnson, Semedo, Bostock (Lines 46), Prutton, Madine (M Jones 74), O’Grady. Unused substitutes: Morrison, Weaver.

Referee: F Graham (Essex).

Man of the match: Jermaine Johnson.