Sheffield Wednesday backed to come through crisis by Stoke boss Mark Robins

Stoke manager Mark Robins has backed Sheffield Wednesday to come through their off-field issues after the Potters piled more misery on the Owls with a 3-0 win at Hillsborough.

Wednesday supporters protested in the build-up to the Championship game, with fans carrying a coffin through nearby Hillsborough Park to signify the ‘death of the club’ amid ongoing financial problems under the ownership of Dejphon Chansiri.

Supporters were also encouraged to blow whistles during the opening five minutes of the match, which many did despite messages over the PA system asking them to stop.

Robins, who had a spell as a Wednesday player, hopes there are better days ahead for the South Yorkshire club.

“They’ll come through it the other side, no doubt,” said the Stoke boss.

“I loved playing in front of the supporters here. It was far too short from my perspective because I had to retire at the end of that season.

“There is an empathy there because clubs go through these periods in their history – you shouldn’t have to – but unfortunately it happens. Hopefully they’ll come through the other side stronger than they feel now.

“We are really fortunate with our owner. It’s all about that – it’s the ownership of your football club. It’s how they love, nurture and care for it and try and build something.”

On the pitch, Stoke scored in the first minute of each half through Million Manhoef and Divin Mubama, with Manhoef adding a second in the 69th minute.

Robins added: “I thought we took our goals well.

“Us getting an early goal was brilliant for us because it quietened everything down.

“It was sort of a little bit of a shock. For our supporters it was the perfect start and brilliant for Millie, who scored the goal.

“He went on to score two in the game and performed really, really well against a side running their socks off.”

Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen was not too disheartened at the result while pointing out the need to strengthen his threadbare squad.

He said: “It was a tough beginning. We conceded an easy goal after losing the ball.

“I thought the boys worked really well to get back into the game and we had some big chances to score.

“I think we had 10 on target or something. When he have intensity, we can compete very well.

“There is no doubt that we need the intensity in our head and our bodies.

“The players have to be really fit and I think we are in the right direction, competing in many phases of the game.

“Of course we have too few players. We need a bigger squad and we are doing everything we can to get more players.

“We need to support the players we have now. The club is working to find solutions so that we can sign players as quickly as possible.”