On the referee’s signal, unleash hell: The state of play as Sheffield Wednesday enter calendar carnage
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Because his whistle will signify the start of a six-week period in which the short and medium term future of Sheffield Wednesday Football Club could well be defined; a manic, whirlwind conveyor belt of Championship fixtures that sees them battle direct relegation rivals, title hopefuls and everything in between.
The timing of the coronavirus outbreak at the club earlier this month has left Wednesday playing a desperate game of catch-up, with rearranged fixtures against Coventry and Wycombe shoehorned into what was already a Filofax full of fiery fixtures. Incredibly, they’ll play 12 games in just 38 days.
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Hide AdSo what is the state of play? In numbers at least, they’re stronger than before, with players previously injured having used the fortnight off to recharge the batteries.
Some players, caretaker boss Neil Thompson intimated after Sunday’s FA Cup defeat at Everton, are continuing their recovery from the virus. Their health, quite rightly, is of paramount importance and it remains to be seen who or how many may see their efforts limited as time whistles by.
They have reinforcements of course, the latest arriving with a pearly white grin and a passion for the battle, and have added teeth to their attacking threat thanks to the addition of Andre Green, the return of Jack Marriott and a return to fitness for Josh Windass. More will be added soon enough, they hope.
And what of Neil Thompson and the top job? As we enter this run of calendar carnage, it seems more and more likely that the club will stick rather than twist. For now at least.
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Hide AdAt his press unveiling on Tuesday, Sam Hutchinson reported a happy, confident feel to the Wednesday camp. He reiterated the words of Barry Bannan previously that the break may well do Wednesday good and that chance to take a considered pause before this period could prove to be valuable.
Because Sheffield Wednesday are about to go ‘over the top’ and into battle.
There will be good times and bad times and it won’t be easy. The thick-and-fast nature of the next few weeks mean their survival hopes could be given an almighty boost. They could keep up the pace of those around them. Alternatively, and all are praying this won’t be the case, in 12 match days time those hopes could have been shot in the head.
Over the next few weeks, they need to pick up pots and pans and nuts and bolts and whatever they can get their hands on, and throw it at their foes. It’s time for players, management and supporter base to pull together and for that united front to scratch, kick, punch and claw their way closer to safety.
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Hide AdThe war effort starts at St Andrews Stadium as Wednesday take on fellows relegation battlers Coventry City. Lose to a better performance they might. They simply must not be outfought.
On the referee’s signal, unleash hell.