Stop Press: 11am pitch inspection at Hillborough. Heavy rain forecast and pitch uncovered.
“This match was never going to be about the football side but it was about passion and desire.”
Thus said Brian Laws after Wednesday’s victory over local rivals United on Saturday. Goals from Sodje and Tudgay were enough to see off the Blunts on a very wet Hillsborough pitch.
“This win is a really special win for me and even more special for the fans who have been very long suffering. The victory has given back some pride. It was a tremendous win and we will take a lot out of it.”
The win gives Wednesday some breathing space above the bottom three. Wednesday have 31 points compared to Preston on 27. Maybe they have turned the corner in the league?
While the Cup is an exciting distraction from the league, staying in the Championship has to be Wednesday’s number one priority. The financial implications of relegation are to much the bear – just ask Forest or Leeds. Besides, Wednesday are the biggest club in Sheffield as any of their fans will tell you – they hate being second best to the Blunts.
That’s not to say that they won’t relish the chance of putting one over the Rams. Indeed, even the biggest Derby fan would say that Wednesday should be in the draw already following the first game at Pride Park.
Laws was disappointed if philosophical after the Derby game; "It's an opportunity missed, away from home against a Premier League side, we found ourselves 2-0 up courtesy of a gift and a bit of luck. We looked in a very comfortable position. So of both managers, if you're 2-0 up, who is going to be the most disappointed? I'm afraid I am."
He probably feels the advantage is very much with the Owls for this game.
Current Owl’s Squad
No. Position Player
1 Keeper Lee Grant
22 Keeper Richard O'Donnell
27 Keeper Robert Burch
2 Defender Lee Bullen (captain)
3 Defender Peter Gilbert
5 Defender Richard Hinds
15 Defender Mark Beevers
16 Defender Richard Wood
17 Defender Steve Watson
20 Defender Frank Simek
25 Defender Liam McMenamin
32 Defender Tommy Spurr
4 Midfield Kenny Lunt
6 Midfield Glenn Whelan (vice-captain)
8 Midfield Burton O'Brien
11 Midfield Etienne Esajas
12 Midfield Rocky Lekaj
21 Midfield Dave McClements
23 Midfield Jermaine Johnson
24 Midfield Luke Boden
26 Midfield Wade Small
31 Midfield Yoann Folly
-- Midfield Ronnie Wallwork
7 Striker Marcus Tudgay
9 Striker Francis Jeffers
10 Striker Deon Burton
30 Striker Akpo Sodje
34 Striker Matt Bowman
Last 5 games
Hull 1-0 Sheffield Wed
Sheffield Wed 2-1 Preston
Derby County 2-2 Sheffield Wed
Cardiff 1-0 Sheffield Wed
Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 Sheffield United
Danger Men
Akpo Sodje is the clubs leading marksman with six goals to his name. A summer signing, he’s being compared favourably with Owl’s legend David Hirst. Akpo is the third of the four Sodje footballing brothers. He scored on Saturday however he has an ongoing ankle problem and may be rested.
Francis Jeffers – a possible target of Billy Davie during the summer - has two goals including one scored from the spot against Preston. He’s had injury problems but may be fit for this game.
Deon Burton is well known to all Rams fans. Honest and hard working, he’s netted five times this season.
His fellow ex-Ram Marcus Tudgay has scored five times so far including the game at Pride Park. It’s good to see ex-Derby boys doing well. It’d be better if he didn’t do it against us though!
Steve Watson may be fit.
The Rams
The last chance for anything good to come out of this season. The last chance for some of our underperforming players to give something back to the fans. Some fans are already talking about giving up the remaining games of their season tickets. A capitulation to a struggling Championship side is not on.
More than 3,000 tickets have been sold for this one. 3,000+ on a winter work night that’s likely to be poor weather-wise. Giving up is not good enough.
Only Mills of our January signings in eligible to play however he might be injured. Stephen Pearson is fit and may play while invisible striker Rob Earnshaw may get a start – if he doesn’t go off in a huff after his telling off by Paul Jewell. Dean Leacock may also be in contention
Mick's team: Price, Edworthy, Leacock, Nyatanga, Beardsley, Pearson, Todd, Barnes, Fagan, Miller, Earnshaw
What the bookies think
We’re slight favourites at 11/8 while the Wendy’s are 13/8. The draw is 21/10 bizarrely and I reckon that’s worth a punt for the end of normal time. Giles Barnes & Kenny Miller are at 11/4 and so is Rob “invisible man” Earnshaw. Sodje is favourite to score despite probably not being fit!
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Mick’s Prediction
Last time I said; “No excuses. Only a victory is good enough. If this team can’t compete with a struggling Championship side then it will be a sign we’ve lost all of the progress we’ve made in the last 18 months.”
Well I got my answer. Without our signings, I think we’ll struggle if The Owl’s can stay organised. It’s up to the team to prove to Paul Jewell they have a future at Pride Park and if they can’t shape up for this game they should ship out.