These two teams have been playing each other in league football since 1892 but few games between the two can have featured such a bizarre opening.
With Wednesday fans carrying out a whistle protest from the moment the game started, Stoke moved the ball forward and talented playmaker Million Manhoef was able to cut inside and fire in at the near post inside the first minute.
Home fans then chanted for Thai businessman Chansiri to “get out of the club” but, with Stoke largely on top, the majority of the noise before the break came from the away section.
Despite being a goal down Wednesday were loudly applauded from the field at the break but Robins’ men then made it 2-0 with a goal in the first minute of the second half.
The Owls did force Viktor Johansson into some sharp stops as they looked to try to get back into the match but were opened up far too easily for Stoke’s third, again scored by Manhoef, and with that some fans started to head for the exits.
A large proportion had long since left by the time referee Aaron Smith blew for full time but those who remained cheered the home players from the pitch at the end of the game.
The Championship season is a long slog and Wednesday have 22 more home league matches to play in a relentless and unforgiving league.
When and how things will get better for everyone connected to the club from here remains to be seen.
