Woody - The Clock Is Ticking

Wednesday defender Richard Wood is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal at Hillsborough, and it's now more important than ever to sign him up.

With criticism from Wednesdayites flying around about the current state of the Owls defence, and rightly so, Woody has been the one back four 'regular' who's come through relatively free of criticism.

Of course, the defence collectively has to take the blame for some poor showings at the back of late, Woody's no exception, but he can arrive at Middlewood Road with his head held higher than that of Mr. Purse and Mr. Buxton.

Let's not forget that Woody was marked as the 'weak link' at the start of the season by some fans, and he could be the one player who we could sell and cope without in light of the signing of Purse, and back-up of Beevers and Hinds.

Now, just a matter of weeks later, he looks like the first defender down on the team sheet, and who knows just how many more goals we'd have conceded had he not been in the starting eleven.

Signing him up to a new deal at S6 has never been more important, but whether that happens or not remains to be seen.

This time last year the Owls were on the end their now infamous thumping at Reading, and Vital understands Woody was ready to leave Wednesday - at the time to further his career with Coventry City.

Woody was full of praise for the management, led by Brian Laws, but was wary of the direction that the club was going in - this was before the arrival of Lee Strafford at the helm.

Now, off the pitch at least, things are moving forward, and Strafford must make getting Woody to stay at the club a priority before Christmas, before the vultures come and try and sign him up on the cheap.

We all know Coventry and Chris Coleman are interested in him, and I doubt that has changed since last season.

He won't be asking crazy money, and he's been here since a nipper - he knows the club, and the fan base, inside out.

We've secured Tudgay, we've secured Tommy, now it's time to secure Woody so we can build on and improve what's been a poor defence this season.

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