Sheffield Wednesday’s outing turned into a nightmare as they suffered a crushing 4-0 defeat at the hands of Sunderland.

The Owls initially showed promise in the first ten minutes but were caught off guard when Sunderland scored from a well-executed free-kick. Soon after, Sheffield Wednesday succumbed to two more goals within just 13 minutes, as the floodgates opened wide.

The home team extended their lead with a fourth goal early in the second half, leaving Danny Rohl’s side unable to salvage even a consolation.

The outcome came as a major shock to Wednesday, who had entered the season with high spirits following their 4-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle. However, the away players put up a dismal performance overall, with midfielder Josh Windass drawing particular criticism for his errors on the field.

Windass’s loss of possession in midfield directly led to Sunderland’s second goal, prompting Sky Sports journalist Laura Hunter to heavily criticize the player for his lackluster effort. She described his actions as “criminal” and “unforgivable,” especially considering his experience in the team.

Windass also played a role in allowing Sunderland’s third goal by unwittingly keeping an opponent onside, leading to further condemnation from Hunter. The overall performance left manager Danny Rohl visibly perplexed on the touchline.

While Windass had a notably below-par performance, some argue that his contribution to Sunderland’s second goal was more a stroke of bad luck rather than entirely poor play. The risks inherent in Rohl’s tactical approach may have contributed to Windass’s unpredictable actions.

Wednesday’s defeat serves as a stark reminder that success against tougher opponents demands a higher level of performance, providing a valuable reality check for Rohl and his team.