Preview: Robins v Owls

Wednesday will be hoping there are no more horror shows when Brian Laws and his men make the trip to Bristol City looking to get back to winning ways on Halloween.

The Owls have been under-fire from fans given recent performances, and Laws will know the importance of bringing a positive result back from Ashton Gate.

It'll arguably be one of Wednesday's toughest matches of the season though, with the Robins flying high in the Championship play-off spots, and holding a good home record so far this term.

Brian Laws told the official SWFC site:

'There is a time to make changes because we are making elementary mistakes. We're scoring goals but we are also conceding really sloppy ones. I will certainly be looking to make one or two positive changes over the weekend.

'We're not doing the basics right and that's what it boils down to. We'll do many defensive exercises in training and be perfect at them and then it will come to the game and we'll make a bad judgement call, a miscontrol or get attracted to the ball. They are individual mistakes and are identifiable.'

Robins boss Gary Johnson told the official BCFC site:

'When you lose 4-1, often a manager looks at his squad to bring in other players and liven things up - perhaps giving one or two a kick up the backside.

'That means we're not sure of their starting eleven, their shape or their philosophy. Generally they like to play a bit of football, but it makes them a little bit unknown.

'We may have to be patient.'

Bristol could be forced to make one change to the side that saw off Barnsley 3-2 at Oakwell at the weekend, their last outing in the Championship.

Bradley Orr picked up an Achilles and calf problem and is rated doubtful going into the clash at Ashton Gate.

Cole Skuse is set to come in and replace him at right-back.

Liam Fontaine still has an ankle problem for Johnson's men while Brian Wilson will also remain sidelined with a shin problem.

Other than that, City are set to remain unchanged going into the clash, and wanting to cement their place in the Championship play-off places.

The former Crewe striker seemed to take some time to adjust to life at Ashton Gate but is more than proving his worth now. With the Wednesday defence as brittle as it is at the moment, they'll do well to keep out the pace of Maynard.

Wednesday are set to be without key midfielder Michael Gray after the former Sunderland man suffered a hamstring injury in the 4-1 defeat at Watford last week.

The injury isn't as bad as first feared, and Gray is set to return for next week's visit of Q.P.R., but Etienne Esajas will be looking for a place back in the side, as will Sean McAllister.

There are also minor doubts of James O'Connor and Darren Potter in the Owls midfielder, but both are expected to be passed fit for the clash.

Laws has promised to make other changes, with the defence being the most problematic area.

Richard Wood is unlikely to start, with his current injury and his latest contract problems not helping, but Richard Hinds and Frank Simek will both be pushing for starts following midweek reserve team outings.

I don't think it's a case of one player to watch this weekend, but more so the whole team following recent performances. If Darren Purse gets the nod to play a lot of the focus will no doubt be on him, while Luke Varney will also be keen to start finding the back of the net. Marcus Tudgay will be the Owls key man.

Head-To-Head:

Bristol wins: 13

Wednesday wins: 23

Draws: 11

Last Time Out:

City 1-1 Wednesday

Ashton Gate, 25/04/09

Wednesday's last away game of the season brought some joy through Darren Potter's superb last gasp free-kick to level the scores. Lee Johnson gave Bristol the lead before Potter levelled with a superb free-kick.

v Q.P.R. (H) - 07/11/09

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