Let's Go For JPT Success

Wednesday's inclusion in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy brings mostly negative responses from Owls fans, but we shouldn't completely shun the competition.

We start our participation in this season's competition tonight, at home to Notts County, and I for one would like to see us go all the way to Wembley.

Some Wednesdayites view the competition as a joke, something that they don't want associated with the club, it's often viewed as a mark of how far we've dropped, and where we shouldn't be.

I know where they're coming from, and I agree on the latter points of the previous paragraph.

We don't want to be in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy - but then again we don't want to be in League One.

First thing's first - it's not the most important competition of our campaign this season, far from it.

In fact, it's probably fourth on the list of importance, with promotion being number one, the FA Cup being number two and the League Cup being number three.

Heck, some people may even throw the Sheffield Masters pre-season tournament ahead of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

But at the end of the day it's a competition Wednesday must compete in, it's a competition where we must field a relatively strong side according to the rules, and it's a competition where we could potentially enjoy a day out at Wembley.

Saints fans enjoyed it last season, they added it to their trophy cabinet, and it didn't stop them from doing well in the league - so why can't we?

We know Alan Irvine won't be fielding a full strength squad for most of the matches, he'll be using it to give some first team players a rest and give match action to others who need it.

But we still have a squad capable, in League One and League Two at least, or competing well and winning the competition.

If we go out tonight, or in any other round, it'll probably be a case of 'oh well, we move on and concentrate on the league', and rightly so.

But a good run in this competition can't harm Wednesday - to continue that winning momentum could well have a positive impact on our league form.

Over 8,000 tickets have been sold for tonight's match - with a crowd bigger than our Carling Cup first round clash against Bury on the cards (yes, the tickets are cheap as chips) so it shows that there is some interest in the competition, at least.

So let's not dismiss the JPT just yet, a good run, and the potential to lift the trophy at Wembley, can only be a good thing for the club.

UP THE OWLS!

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