Team: Sheffield Wednesday
Nickname: Owls
Address: Hillsbrough, Sheffield, S6 1SW
Official Website: www.swfc.co.uk
Stadium: Hillsborough
Capacity: 39,859
Last Seasons Finish: 9th
2007-08 Prediction: Play-Off Contenders
Championship Odds (Coral)
Outright: 20/1
Promotion: 13/2
Relegation: 12/1
| Did You Know? Sheffield Wednesday picked up an incredible five trophies during the 1902-03 campaign; The First Division Championship (now Premier League), Midland League, Sheffield Challenge Cup, Wharncliffe Charity Cup and the Plymouth Bowl. |
:: Fans View ::
Name: Andy Parsons
Website: www.owls-mad.co.uk
01. What's the best that could happen this season?
The best for us is obviously to win promotion, and we are not naive enough to think it will be via the top two so the play-offs it will have to be. Getting to the play-offs would be a massive achievement and show that the club is going in the right direction after years of mediocrity.
02. And the worst?
The worst is finishing below where we did this year (9th) as it would be a step backwards. Improvements have to be made and we defiantly have the squad to make more of an impact. Having said that, getting rid of Brian Laws after a shaky start would probably is the worst thing that could happen as he is the best thing to happen at Hillsborough for a number of years.
03. Young player to watch?
I think that most fans in the league know about what Chris Brunt is all about, and on his day, he is a true match winner for us. But Richard Wood came back to the team last year after a season on the sidelines and was a colossus so fingers crossed he stays injury-free and if he does, he will be a vital player for us. A word on Frankie Simek who is also our most underrated player and never has a bad game at right-back.
04. Most important player?
Chris Brunt got all the attention last year and deservedly so but I think this year is Jermaine Johnson's time to shine. He has all the skills and lightning-quick pace to be one of the most dangerous players in the league for sure. On his day, no-one in the Championship will be able to live with him.
05. Player you would like to get rid of?
In all honesty at the moment, the players are good but we need more depth. Getting rid of anyone wouldn't be wise although I am sure that Wednesdayites and Brian Laws will not shed a tear when David Graham finally gets his marching orders. He was loaned out to Torquay last season after breaking club discipline rules; I think he just about found his level there.
06. Is your manager the right man for the job?
Without equivocation. I think we have one of the best young managers in the country. He helped turn our season around last year and a few more wins would have seen us in the play-offs. But we all know what happens with Wednesday's managers if a few results don't go their way. Fingers crossed Laws is the man who leads us back to the Premiership one day and gives us some much-needed stability.
07. What advice would you give him?
To make sure he instils the confidence in the players to make Hillsborough a fortress. I don't know how he can do that but if our home form is on the top of its game, I think we will do well.
08. Which team do you most want to beat this season?
I think it's pretty easy to say we would love to beat United but that's by the by. Wednesday and Hull don't get on too well and Wolves think they have a divine right to be in the Champions League so a double over those two would go down well. But I don't really care who we beat - as long as we win it doesn't matter who we play.
09. Which opposition player will get the most stick?
Madjid Bougherra will get a mixed reception for leaving Wednesday to live the Premiership dream with Charlton - although that didn't go to plan and now he will be ruing not moving to Everton. I think he was actually quoted saying something like he would not play in games until he got his move! The Blades players will get a fair amount of barracking though!
10. Where will you finish?
I hope we finish in the play-offs but I can see us missing out on the final day on goal difference or something stupid like that.
11. How would you rate Sheffield United and were will they finish?
It's difficult to say how United will do. I personally don't think they have got the right man to take them forward. If they can keep hold of some of their better players and get Rob Hulse fit, they stand a decent chance of the play-offs. Be interesting to see how they adapt to not having Colin (ed - Neil Warnock) around. I don't think this season will be the walk in the park Blades fans think and it will be though.