Sheffield Wednesday up to third after savvy show against Wycombe

Sheffield Wednesday's route back to the Championship is likely to be much less smooth and rather more perilous. Let's just hope they get there in 2022-23 for everyone's sake.

Days like Saturday won’t do them any harm. The start was great, the end was good - and relieving - and the bit in the middle passed muster. Despite some bumps, it was a savvy show from a senior side in third.

Michael Smith and Lee Gregory were primarily brought in for goals. Yet they bring so much more.

They played well without scoring. Smith produced a quality assist for Wednesday's second, while Gregory's game intelligence unhinged Wycombe, particularly in the first half.

Wednesdayites know their football and was the latter was replaced, the ovation was loud and genuine.

On his two centre-forwards, boss Darren Moore said: "We brought them in for goals, but you could see the other side of them in how they lead the line, they are robust and can do the nitty-gritty at both ends.

"They won some big headers in defensive positions with their height and physicality, which I was pleased about. Both of them could be really pleased with their performances and it went a long way to us getting three points."

Barry Bannan is Barry Bannan. Next to him in midfield was Will Vaulks, a proper professional who has not had the best of times since heading to S6. His display on Saturday was exactly why Moore brought him to the club. Responsible, committed and competitive.

There then were the likes of Ben Heneghan - restored to the side for the first time in over a month at league level like Vaulks - Michael Ihiekwe and Reece James.

They did their job - others did too - and helped Wednesday manage the game on a day when the hosts' individual contributions were not mind-blowing, but consistent and decent all the same across the board.

Milestones were plentiful. It was the tenth anniversary of Gareth Ainsworth's reign at Wycombe and the 135th birthday of the club.

Gregory strode out in Wednesday colours for the fiftieth time, while Callum Paterson, a late entrant, recorded his century of Owls appearances. He got a late bonus.

Ainsworth was dressed like he was planning an evening visit to Sheffield's famed music venue, The Leadmill. He is into his music and member of a band called The Cold Blooded Hearts.

In the first half especially, more of the coolness came from those in blue and white.

The talk beforehand was of Wycombe strangling the life out of proceedings. In the event, we were in for a pleasant surprise. Although going a goal behind after 37 seconds does change your game plan somewhat.

A quick throw-in saw the visitors switch off. Marvin Johnson's cross from the left was instant, deadly and a beauty, with the panicking Joe Jacobson bundling the ball home at the far post under pressure from Smith, breathing down his neck.

It forced Wycombe to come out and their initial response was eye-catching.

Strictly Come Dancing started on Saturday evening and Anis Mehmeti got in the mood especially.

His twinkled-toed close control was far too much for Heneghan on the left and others too. After being hoodwinked, the ball was cut back beautifully for Sam Vokes to ram home an equaliser.

Creditably, Heneghan got back on message.

Wednesday did not help themselves, but it was a quality moment all the same.

The important thing was that their defensive mask rarely slipped after that. Their initial riposte was stirring. Vaulks went close with a rising shot and the Owls' second goal was a cracker.

Wycombe went caught with their pants down from a free-kick. In centre field, Gregory swept the ball to Smith, who drove at the Wycombe defence on the right. His cross was pinpoint and picked out Bannan, who had escaped the clutches of minder Jason McCarthy to tuck the ball away from close in.

Wycombe did apply pressure in the second half. One dangerous moment when McCarthy was allowed a free header, but planted it over the top was a concern.

There were some nerves towards the end, yet David Stockdale was protected well and he's a cool cookie at any rate.

After some recent wobbles, it was a test for Wednesday and a good one at that.

They passed it and a bonus when substitute Mallik Wilks supplied Paterson to stroke home a third goal with the final action of the game.