Owls coach John Deehan reflected on the disappointing defeat to Watford on Saturday and acceded to the fact is was a ‘bad day at the office’ for the hosts.
Wednesday were 2-0 down midway through the first half and the visitors promptly doubled their lead five minutes into the second period.
The Owls pulled one back through Benik Afobe but it was too little too late and the Hornets emerged comfortable winners.
Deehan said: “We were disappointing today, there’s no doubt about that, and it was a bad day at the office for us.
“The annoying thing is that we have kept six clean sheets since Christmas here and looked solid from set pieces but we have conceded four goals and the first goal was a set piece.
“They scored again to make it 2-0 and it was vital from our point of view to get the next goal.
“But they scored twice again in quick succession after half time and there was no real going back.
“We had a lot of possession, though, against a good side who had players from Serie A in Italy out there.
“I would say in terms of counter attacking, Watford are the best side in the division.”
Deehan dismissed any theories that the absence of head coach Stuart Gray was a factor in the S6 reverse.
He added: “I don’t think so. You would have to ask the players. But the preparation was exactly the same as always.
“Stuart coached the team, he selected the team, nothing changed in that respect.
“We lost out to a better team on the day.
“We have a big game on Friday now against Leicester and we will be begin preparations straight away.”