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Sheffield Wednesday set unwanted record after being thrashed 4-0 by Swansea

The Championship’s bottom club Sheffield Wednesday set an unwanted record after being thrashed 4-0 by Swansea City.

Henrik Pedersen’s side have now failed to score for the ninth consecutive Championship match, becoming the longest such drought in the club’s history, while the result also extended their run of successive second-tier losses to eight.

Swansea, who are thriving under Vitor Matos, were ahead on 19 minutes thanks to Gonçalo Franco following a lovely team move.

Zan Vipotnik, the league’s top scorer, made it 2-0 with a powerful free-kick high into the roof off the net. No stopping that one.

He then got his 15th goal of the season with a controlled finished form Ronald’s cross, then substitute Malick Yalcouye got Swansea’s fourth.

The result sees Swansea sitting 15th in the Championship table with 42 points from 31 games played, 10 points above the drop zone and now 5 away from the playoff places. The Owls meanwhile are bottom with -7 points, 25 points from safety.

Sheffield Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen, per The Star:

“We had two good training sessions with a lot of positive energy, and we changed from a back three to a back four for the first time. I really think the first 20 minutes until the goal there was a good energy in the team and an offensive mindset in the pressing. I think it was a positive beginning.

“But we also saw after 1-0 that the courage of the players dropped down a little bit. We had some easy losses, and we started to run after the ball. We wanted to press with a four to have players higher up the pitch and have more aggressive pressing and win the ball higher up with an extra player… But we also had to respect that Swansea are a very, very strong possession team and it was a tough one to press.

“Second half when we changed to a diamond in the middle of the pitch, we started to win more balls higher up the pitch and were more aggressive… But when we won the ball we lost the ball, and we conceded three goals after defensive transitions where we lost the ball too directly and one where they won a free kick and scored from it.

“It was a day where we wanted to take more risks and be more offensive in pressing, we struggled with the defensive transition and played against a very strong team.”

Speaking to Sky Sports, Swansea City head coach Vitor Matos said:

“I’m really happy. I think we showed character.

“Sheffield Wednesday, we knew they are a team that likes to compete and stay in the game. They always find a way to compete and we needed to have the right mindset, and we had that.

“Some moments we needed to be compact, to press and I think we had that.

“I’m really happy with the performance and I think it was a good game for everyone.”

Matos on Swansea’s opening goal:

“I’m really happy. I think it’s something that we keep building. It was a goal that a lot of players were involved in.

“The way we started from Vigs [Lawrence Vigouroux], to find the right players who were free, the switch, [Josh] Tymon’s cross and [Goncalo] Franco’s finish, I’m really pleased.

“But more than anything, I think the full performance regarding the professionalism and the mindset, I think that’s what I’m more pleased with than anything.”

On Zan Vipotnik’s form:

“We are very happy, of course, he’s offering a lot of goals, 15 goals already is a good mark but I think he is still growing.

“He’s helping us set the press and connecting. He’s becoming more complete and I think he’s still young, he has a lot to develop.

“He understand that pressing helps him to score and I think we all benefit from that.”

On Joe Allen and Leon Britton’s influence:

“It’s massive because they know the DNA of the club and at the same time they know the league quite well.

“It’s important for me and the players because the feedback they can get from them is so valuable.

“And Kris O’Leary is also on the staff as well. That shows a bit of character of how we want to build.

“I think it’s a step in the right direction, having them with me.”

On Swansea’s top six hopes:

“I think it’s the same situation we were in before, looking at what we need to improve and the next steps regarding the team.

“Our focus needs to be like that because the Championship is like that. You win a game and you think you’re in the play-offs, you lose a game and you think you’re in a relegation battle.”

–

Speaking to Sky Sports, Swansea City’s Zan Vipotnik said:

“We were talking before the free-kick who was going to take it. I said if I could take it, I would shoot with full power.

“I made it, and I’m so happy for the team and the fans that they enjoyed the game. It’s amazing for us to win the game.

“It was a really powerful shot and not easy to save.”

When asked if play-offs were a target, captain Ben Cabango said:

“To be fair, from the first day the gaffer came in, he said treat every games as it comes.

“We’re only five points away from it now so we’re just going to concentrate on each game as it comes and see where it takes us.

“It’s really nice to get this home form and back-to-back wins with clean sheets. This man is on fire as well, everything he touches is going in.”

Vipotnik on Matos’ advice:

“He’s just given me freedom and said I need to enjoy the game.

“In this way, results can come and goals for me. We are enjoying it at the moment.”

Here’s how fans reacted as Sheffield Wednesday set unwanted record after being thrashed 4-0 by Swansea…

@IAmBenRobertson: No shots, no goals and an xG lower than a snake’s belly. Embarrassing. Forget your gushing positive soundbites Pedersen — the most positive thing you can do is to walk away pal. I don’t want you in charge of this team against them lot, it’ll be double figures. #SWFC

@garethbatty: The players and management need to take a long hard look at themselves. Yes we are going down, yes it’s a tough situation but at least play with some guts and pride and have a go. It’s embarrassing and as professionals you should all be questioning each other.

@Jinja_Owl: One less game til May 2nd. That’s the ONLY positive from that.

@HoodieUce: Really sad to see what’s happening as someone who’s club has seen the lowest of the low I truly hope things turn around for you soon also shoutout to those travelling 👏

@nattasswfc: 0 shots on target for a professional football team in 90 minutes of football is embarrassing. Absolutely embarrassing.

@liamjenkins2902: Fantastic away support from you lads today, brilliant bunch of supporters. Hope you get back on track 🦢

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