Owls Set Sights High

With a fantastic finale to last season and a number of new players already on the books at Hillsborough, the Owls players and staff are setting their sights high for the forthcoming season.

Wednesday were beaten just once in their final nine games of the season and have boosted their squad by signing hot prospect Wade Small and former Crewe defender Madjid Bougherra. Owls boss Paul Sturrock is also hoping to bring Liverpool 'keeper Scott Carson in on a season-long loan.

New-boy Small believes his new team mates are capable of a top six finish and is looking towards his future with the Owls - in the Premiership.

He told the official SWFC site: 'The target is promotion. [The manager is] looking to get into the play-offs this time. Looking at the last nine games we've got to get into that form early on. This is a Premiership club and that's what the fans expect.'

'It's amazing to come here to such a big club. It was surprising - I'd heard rumours they were interested in the past but I didn't know they were that interested. Now that it's come around it's shocked me. I'm excited just to be a part of it.'

Midfielder Burton O'Brien also believes the Owls are capable of a higher finish this time around.

He told the official SWFC site: 'From a personal point of view it was a fantastic end to the season. To stay up was a big success for the club. That's always the aim when you go into a new league and we've managed to do it.'

South African born O'Brien believes last season was a learning curve for the club, and the final few months of the season will be a benchmark to push on.

He continued: 'I had a good run in the team in the second half of the season and I enjoyed it. We've learned a lot this year and I'm sure it will stand us in good stead.'

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