A WAY THROUGH THIS
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY v MIDDLESBROUGH
Jonathan Way, 15 Sep 2009
Back to winning ways.
Is where Boro find themselves after brushing aside Roy Keane's Ipswich Town on Saturday. With a tough fixture against West Brom just around the corner, you feel Middlesbrough will have to take something from this game at Hillsborough if we are to stay on course for promotion.
The Owls will be hoping for a higher finish this campaign after ending the last one in a respectable 12th position. Rescuing a point from their match against Nottingham Forest at the weekend added to their positive start to the season, which leaves Wednesday currently sitting in ninth place in the table.
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Darren Purse v David Wheater
After making over 100 league appearances for Cardiff, Purse saw out the rest of his contract and joined the Owls on a free transfer in the summer. The Wednesday number four has made a big impact since his arrival at Hillsborough and has been rewarded by becoming captain of Brian Laws's side.
The 22-year-old's home debut as captain was definitely one to remember as Wheater put in yet another impressive performance. No doubt looking to remain as skipper, David will have been disappointed with conceding a late goal against The Tractor Boys.
Jermaine Johnson v Adam Johnson
The Jamaican international hasn't had the best of luck over recent seasons with injuries and suspensions but he has certainly started this campaign very brightly. Having started every game and netting twice so far, it seems Jermaine will be a vital player for Sheffield Wednesday this season.
With seven games gone, Johnson has probably been our best player so far. Despite giving away the penalty towards the end of the Ipswich tie, the winger delivered an excellent cross for Aliadiere's goal to add another outstanding performance to his collection for the season.
Darren Potter v Gary O'Neil
The former Liverpool midfielder signed a permanent deal with the Owls two months ago after spending the second half of the last campaign on loan with them. Being one of their best players against Forest at the weekend, Potter is a dangerous opponent who always has an eye for goal.
Making his first appearance after returning from his operation, O'Neil made a sudden impact after just 17 minutes with a brilliant looping header over Richard Wright. Surely retaining his place for the trip to Hillsborough, against Ipswich Gary showed just how much of a key player he is to us.
Marcus Tudgay v Jeremie Aliadiere
Following rumours of a move away from Wednesday, Tudgay recently signed a new contract with the club, which will keep him there until 2013. With four goals already on his tally, the Owls Player of the Year for last season has been on fire so far this campaign as he edges ever closer to his 50th goal for the club.
After replacing Lita half way through the second half, the Frenchman certainly took his chance by scoring two great goals in just under 20 minutes. Having started only one match so far this campaign, Jeremie has definitely given Gareth a big decision to make on who starts up front against Wednesday.
It will be interesting to see how we do in this difficult fixture given that Sheffield Wednesday had the best home defensive record in the Championship last season. Hopefully, we will have overcome our defeat to Bristol City and return to winning away from home.
After our impressive result at the weekend, I think we will get back to winning on the road and defeat the Owls 1-0 but it certainly won't be easy.
owl83, September 15, 2009 at 4:10 pm i think that prediction is wrong, i think 2-1 to the owls, after sat frustrating game against forest i think we,ll be all guns blazing against middlesbourgh.
