Neil Thompson was left frustrated on Monday as his Under-23 side missed the chance to wrap-up the Professional Development League title.
Victory would have confirmed top spot for the Owls but Wednesday slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Sheffield United at Middlewood Road.
Wednesday have another chance to seal their place at the summit on Friday 21 April, when they face Leeds at Elland Road.
Thompson said: “It is frustrating because a win would have seen us over the line. We didn’t move the ball quick enough or press with intensity and that’s what you get.
“We huffed and puffed in the second half and probably had a lot more of the ball in the last half an hour. We created one or two opportunities but nothing clear-cut.
“We have to smarten up. You can’t just wait for things to happen. You have to make things happen with the tempo you play at, with and without the ball, and we didn’t do that.”
But in what has been a tremendous campaign for the Wednesday youth side, Thompson expects a response in the trip to West Yorkshire next time out.
He added: “It will be a big game at Elland Road but it’s what you play the game for. We have to play at a good intensity and with more fire in the belly.
“We have to show better quality on the ball. You have to be brave and demand the ball in tight areas and do things at the right time.
“We will dust ourselves down and get on with it. The players have been great all season and the big positive is everything is still in our hands.”