Well, another few games
down and once again a lot of talking points regarding Sheffield
Wednesday. Another three games in February and some very up and down
emotions.
The
Matches
Birmingham
City
We travelled to Birmingham on the back of the Reading defeat with not a lot of expectation, personally I'd have taken a point before the game. What we got was an odd game with some good positives and some negatives. Conceding early on wasn't idea and you had to admit you were expecting a bit of a capitulation, what you got was a decent response and Barry Bannan managed to get a goal that he'll have thoroughly enjoyed given his Villa connections. Once again we shot ourselves in the foot by allowing Birmingham back into it through poor defending. A penalty however got us back level at 2-2, from there Wednesday probably should have won the game. We deserved to be in front at 3-2 and while Birmingham had their chances Wednesday looked the better side and should have finished off through Murphy only for Scott Hogan to do what Scott Hogan does and finish chances presented to him. Overall I was fairly pleased with the point and felt it was something to build on.
Charlton
Athletic
After the Birmingham game we were back at Hillsborough for a chilly Wednesday night under the lights against Lee Bowyer's Charlton. Before the game it had the feel of a big one, arguably the biggest of the season given the run of form and we needed a win and a performance and in fairness we got both. While it's fair to say Charlton aren't a great side they still have quality within their ranks and as ever when a side comes and sits deep it can be difficult. I thought we played well and deserved the three points. Fletcher coming on gave us a different outlet and immediately gave us a different impetus. We created some really good chances and it should have been more than 1-0. The goal coming when it did sparked some great scenes. Celebrating goals, especially winners is what football is all about. It was a fantastic moment, when you haven't scored since the 29th of December I think you're entitled to enjoy a last minute winner, I really didn't understand the criticism we got for it.
Derby
County
Following the positive of the Charlton win there was a bit more optimism around for the arrival of Derby County. That was dashed within half an hour after Derby found themselves 3-0 up. It was a very poor first 45 minutes, a complete disaster really. The worst part of it for me was that Derby didn't have to play well. We gave them so much space, so much freedom. The biggest concern I have with the form since Christmas was that win, lose or draw we were in games and were competing in them from minute 1 to 90+. We aren't doing that enough, Birmingham and Charlton both had good sides to them and the 2nd half against Derby was alright but when you're already 3-0 it's little comfort. Josh Windass and Dominic Iorfa made a huge difference and both I feel should start down at Brentford. It was a poor afternoon and once again questions were raised about a number of different things. It want to tough on some of them in a moment. What I will say is whatever your opinion on the players, Chansiri, Monk or whoever, Hillsborough is not a nice place a the moment. Toxic is the word being banded around, it's hard to find a better one to be honest.
Connor
Wickham
One player who is splitting opinion at the moment is the on loan Palace striker Connor Wickham, for me personally some of the criticism has been very unfair. While he's yet to find the back of the net in his third spell here he's still shown glimpses of real quality. He's not 100% match sharp and that is obvious but that won't come without having time on the pitch. Regardless of your opinion on him that is just fact, it's the same with Fletcher, looked way off it fitness wise at Birmingham, better at Charlton and off it again against Derby, it takes time. Wickham will score goals if given the service and time on the pitch. There were some good links with Forestieri and Fletcher against Charlton and also with Windass against Derby. We have t stick with the lad. Slating him won't do any good.
Monk
Once again following the defeat to Derby there were a lot of calls for Garry Monk to leave the club, once again I feel that sacking Monk wouldn't change much going on at Hillsborough. The time to judge Monk in reality is probably the end of next season, regardless of where that may or may not be. Obviously circumstances in football change quickly but at some point Wednesday need to actually back something for a sustained period of time. Changing for changes sake doesn't work. All these calls for certain ex managers or people like Sam Allardyce are just not going to happen. It feels like the desperation within the fan base is so great that they'll say anything in the hope it happens.
Manchester
City
Tomorrow night, Manchester City are in town. Now while I expect little from the game in terms of a result I'll still be going, with hope and will get behind the team. A lot of people aren't going and that's a shame, I understand it to an extent, the prices aren't as cheap as maybe you'd have hope and while I don't think they're too bad I do feel the club had missed a bit of an opportunity to really give something back to the fans here. I've seen a few people saying, play the youngsters, I don't agree with that at all, can you imagine if they were thrashed heavily? That wouldn't do any of them any good. Personally I'd just give it a go, treat it as a free hit. We have nothing to lose. Expect nothing but have some hope, that's all you can treat it as really.
Overall it's been a tough month, we need to see some signs of change at the club for me, regardless of how the EFL's investigation and subsequent points deduction goes we have to have some kind of plan in place or the club won't move forward.
Thanks for reading,
Tom
