Sheffield Wednesday boss makes incorrect claim after 4-1 loss at Millwall

Neil Thompson felt his Sheffield Wednesday side were “a bit leggy” in their 4-1 loss at Millwall yesterday – and incorrectly claimed that the South Londoners did not play in midweek.

Gary Rowett’s side opened up a seven-point gap over the bottom three as they collected just a second home league victory of the season.

Owls caretaker manager Thompson felt fatigue was an issue for his players after their 2-1 success at AFC Bournemouth on Tuesday.

But he also added that Millwall were fresher after no midweek action, even though the South Londoners also played on the same day and drew 0-0 with league leaders Norwich City.

Thompson said: “Second half we looked a bit leggy. They played to their strengths and they are very difficult to play against on a sticky wicket.

“We did quite well first half, but that penalty gave them encouragement. In the second half they put the ball in the box and made it very difficult for us in terms of us trying to get our game going.

“They upped their tempo second half and our trip down to Bournemouth was in the legs of a couple of the lads. We had a midweek game and they didn’t [Millwall drew 0-0 with Norwich on Tuesday]. We had a long journey. No excuses but it is fact and we looked leggy in the second half.

“They’re very direct and they have got people you have got to deal with and we didn’t deal with it well enough.

“If you keep giving away corners and free-kicks and allow the opposition to put the ball in the box, you are putting yourself under pressure to keep that clean sheet.”