Sheffield Wednesday fans will love what Liam Cooper & Liam Palmer said in Bramall Lane dressing room | OneFootball

The veteran Wednesday defenders delivered a rallying cry to their teammates after relegation was confirmed on Sunday

Sheffield Wednesday became the first team in EFL history to be relegated in February when they were beaten 2-1 at the hands of bitter rivals Sheffield United on Sunday.

The Owls have endured a nightmare-ish campaign on the field, stemming from the off-field happenings surrounding Dejphon Chansiri's final months at the club, which were mired with late wage payments, embargoes and, ultimately, points deductions following the eventual administration.

Indeed, Wednesday has been deducted 18 points this season, and that, plus a shorthanded and youth-centred squad, have resulted in Henrik Pedersen's side picking up just one win all season, losing every game in 2026, and sitting on -7 points with 13 games remaining.

The pressure of remaining in the division is finally over, and two of the more veteran names in the Owls' changing room, Liam Palmer and Liam Cooper, have outlined what people should expect from the performances between now and the end of the season.

Henrik Pedersen reveals what Liam Palmer and Liam Cooper said following Sheffield Wednesday relegation

Speaking to the BBC, Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen was questioned about the motivation within the squad after their relegation was finally confirmed at the hands of their inter-city rivals.

"We all knew that relegation would come, and it's so sad to see Sheffield Wednesday relegated in February," he said.

"We have so much work still to do, and we have this for our players, staff, coaches, everyone at the club and our fans, and we will give them as many good experiences as possible for the rest of the season."

Wednesday has between now and the beginning of May to make the rest of this season seem respectable, to cross back out of the negative points tally that they are still on, and have been on since December 29, and go into next season in League One with some on-field momentum.

The next few months could set the tone for a positive summer at Sheffield Wednesday

There has always been a mental change across teams once the pressure of what they are playing for relaxes, and they can start to play with shackles loose, so to speak.

Whether that be teams at the top going on a losing run when they know that their job is done, such as Sunderland towards the tail end of last season, or sides down at the bottom playing with more creative freedom as they don't have to worry about grinding out results.

Wednesday fits into the latter side of that sentiment, and there'll be a shift in the mentality of some of these players, which could lead to improved results between now and the end of the campaign.

Alan Nixon's report from Sunday states that prospective owner James Bord is looking to be in charge at Hillsborough in six weeks, putting an end to their administration, and allowing them to finally have full focus on bouncing back next season.

That, paired with some positives on the field between now and May, would set up Wednesday fans for a rare, optimistic, off-season period.