Andy Holdsworth could not mask his disappointment but was glowing with pride for the Under-18s after they were edged out of the FA Youth Cup at Blackburn.
Rovers came from behind to reach the quarter finals by the odd goal in three over the Pennines but the young Owls can hold their heads high having left everything on the Ewood Park pitch.
Holdsworth said: “That is what we’re all about, giving everything we’ve got until right to the last. We always knew it was going to be difficult coming here and the gameplan worked for large parts of it.
“If you’re going to miss the bus, miss it running and that’s what the boys have done tonight. Blackburn had that bit of quality that won them the game but the boys have done the club proud.
“We got off to the perfect start and the pleasing thing was that the goal came from things we have been working on in training. Blackburn grew into the game and it was a real blow to concede when we did just on half time. There’s never a good time to concede a goal but that gave them a big boost going into half time.”
Holdsworth must now pick up the players following their cup exit and go full steam ahead in the league, where Wednesday are flying high.
He added: “I’ve just said to them in the dressing room that the experience they have gained from this cup run is invaluable. They’ve played at non-league grounds, a Premier League ground, Hillsborough and now here at Blackburn tonight.
“They’re devastated in there but we’ve told them, that’s football, take it all in, you played against a Category One team, a very good team, learn from it, put your efforts into the league and go give it the best you have got.”