Tony Pulis pleased with Sheffield Wednesday's effort but they must cut out the mistakes as injuries mount

The game was settled when a weak Keiren Westwood punch found its way to Tom Barkhuizen, who volleyed a brilliant goal.

But Pulis, who always has an eye for a team's defensive set-up, was unhappy the move was not nipped in the bud earlier. His team's task had already been made far more difficult by a 17th-minute red card for Josh Windass – Wednesday's fourth already this season – which forced him to abandon his plan of playing Callum Paterson as a central midfielder.

On top of Windass's suspension, the Owls have also suffered a blow with the news that fellow centre-forward Jack Marriott may not play again in 2020. They have also lost Dominic Iorfa to a muscle injury during the international break.

Of the goal, Pulis commented: “I've not seen it but he said his back foot slipped a little bit and that's what put him off. He's come forward, his back foot has slipped and that's why he's punched it.

“It's his mistake and he's big enough and experienced enough to take it.

“But there were a few challenges before that came into the box that I was really disappointed with. I want players for this football club to win those challenges and it's something maybe nobody's talked about before but I certainly will do because it's very, very important.

“They've done brilliantly today, they've worked their socks off as ten men under pressure from a team that's been doing well in the Championship for a long time but there were one or two challenges I thought, 'Yeah, our players should be coming out with it'.”

The Owls have only scored six league goals in 12 games this season. Jordan Rhodes had spoken to the media before the game hopefully he would be given his chance at Deepdale, but being left on the bench until the final quarter of an hour was not a ringing endorsement.

“We missed (suspended winger Kadeem) Harris today and he'll give us pace and hopefully a little bit of quality down the sides of the pitch,” said Pulis. “That's one of the areas we certainly need to address, I think everybody I engage with has mentioned that area. It's no surprise.

“I think the supporters will understand that if you just look at the facts we haven't been scoring enough goals, we haven't got the balance right up there.”

The problem has been exacerbated by an injury to deadline-day signing Marriott, loaned from Derby County until the end of the season. He is yet to score his first goal for the club and he now faces a lengthy time out.

“Jack's back at Derby, I think he's going to be long term,” confirmed Pulis. “Flinty (centre-back Aden Flint) is long-term as well.

“It was a calf injury – six or seven weeks (out), I think.”

Windass was sent off for a high challenge, catching Joe Rafferty in the chest early in the game.

“Well I haven't seen it back yet but his foot was high,” said Pulis. “We're not going to be able to appeal, we'll not get away with it because they'll say it's dangerous play and that's me just seeing it when it happened.

“I just spoke to Sky Sports and I think it was harsh, it should have been a yellow card but you're tossing a coin.”

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you'll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click HERE to subscribe.