Sheffield Wednesday News 24/7Writer: Nick 
Date:Friday February 17 2012
Time: 4:25PM
UK time is: 04:20:53
Choose your club
Other Sites
Network Navigation
Vital Partners
'If It's Football, It's Vital'
Chesterfield vs. Wednesday
The B2net Stadium, Chesterfield
Saturday, February 18
1pm
Chesterfield v Owls preview
IT'S the start of a derby day double-header for Wednesday when they visit Chesterfield's B2net Stadium for the very first time competitively on Saturday.
The Owls face the big one against Sheffield United next weekend but victory over John Sheridan's Spireites would give an out-of-form Owls team a big boost.
On paper the Owls should make the short trip back to S6 with maximum points against relegation-threatened Chesterfield, but the hosts will fancy their chances of an upset against their bitter rivals.
It's a sell-out and there's set to be an electric atmosphere for the League One clash.
Chesterfield Team News:
Although Chesterfield have a Wembley appearance coming up in the JP Trophy, they're position in League One is worrying and the Spireites will hope to use their trophy run to kick-on in the league.
Their form has improved over the last month or so and they'll be eager to bag all three points, and the local bragging rights, with victory over near-neighbours Wednesday this weekend.
The fact Owls legend John Sheridan is boss at the B2net adds some spice to the fixture, while former boss Chris Turner and former chairman Dave Allen are also at Chesterfield now.
Mark Allott (hamstring), James Hurst (ankle) and Jimmy Juan (calf) are the only doubts for the Spireites going into the derby clash.
Player to watch: Drew Talbot
Wednesday's links with Chesterfield continues on the pitch with striker Drew Talbot likely to start on Saturday. Talbot netted in the Owls' play-off final win over Hartlepool United and Wednesday fans have fond memories of the attacker.
Wednesday Team News:
Wednesday could welcome Reda Johnson back to their defence after the Benin international sat out the last two games through suspension.
Johnson is expected to go straight back in to the starting eleven at left-back with the Owls suffering two defeats with him absent.
Striker Ryan Lowe and on-loan John Bostock could both return to the squad after missing the midweek defeat to Stevenage through injury and illness respectively.
Lowe had a scan on a calf injury this week while Bostock, on-loan from Tottenham Hotspur, missed out through illness.
Defender Miguel Llera could also be available for selection but Megson could opt to stick with skipper Rob Jones and Danny Batth at the back.
Winger Mike Jones, a January recruit from Bury, will be pushing for a starting role after being used mainly as a substitute in recent weeks.
Player to watch: Jermaine Johnson
JJ is one of the few Wednesday players to come out of recent games with any credit thanks to his goalscoring return. The Owls will be looking for him to be on top form again at the B2net, but he'll need to keep his cool in what will doubt be an electric derby atmosphere.
Match Facts & Stats
Form:
Chesterfield: D-L-W-W-W
Wednesday: L-L-L-W-D
Head-to-Head:
Chesterfield wins: 11
Wednesday wins: 12
Draws: 11
Last Time Out:
Wednesday 3-1 Chesterfield
Hillsborough, 8/10/11
Goals from Lewis Buxton and Gary Madine put Wednesday 2-0 to the good before former Owl Leon Clarke pulled a goal back for the visitors. Ben Marshall made sure of the three points for Wednesday with a third in the 87th minute.
Next Fixtures:
v Sheffield United (H) - 26/2/12
v Rochdale (A) - 3/3/12
Your Comments
What a considered, temperate, evenly-judged site this seems to be: congrats and hello to all.
Before this most recent run of poor games, I was looking at Wednesday's results since August and wondering how they'd climbed so high - the results weren't that sensational.
I suspect we became carried away by their position and forgot: (1) Wednesday are NOT a 'Massive' club - despite what is claimed by players (especially, new signings), fans, the media, the management and all. (2) GM has NOT been allowed/able to import league beaters at inflated prices and wages and just buy success.
But, they are perceived to be big and draw big crowds by League One standards, and they carry an 'aura' - which a stark look at history seems to reveal is unwarranted.
It's been said that lesser teams relish a tilt at Wednesday because of this 'standing', and I reckon that opposing players believe that Wednesday's are better paid. So, they go out and show them that they're as good if not better, in front of a large audience of Wednesday supporters at home and away. It could give the opposition an edge.
If Wednesday were the kind of team to take that on and grind out a result when performing badly and sweep the opposition away when playing well - that would be good. But, Wednesday are not of that ilk. They're not automatic promotion candidates - Charlton and Sheff. Utd. are: Huddersfield ... may ... be, I'm not sure now.
If we were, we'd have been able to take our points whilst the rest weren't able to play. We couldn't and didn't because we're basically ordinary. Good teams don't have significant slumps, they're consistent, take all-comers and make their own luck - and win.
If you give maximum points to the other teams involved (at the top) for their games-in-hand, CURRENTLY the table positions would read :- 1.Charlton 2.Sheff. Utd. 3.Huddersfield 4.Stevenage (on goal difference) 5.Wednesday 6.MK Dons.
That's simplistic and assumes perfect results for the others, but it's present, worst-scenario realism - and, I guess, that's how it will finish at end of the season, more or less, (provided we don't just slide away miserably).
I'm not concerned about what the other teams achieve - though, I'd like to see the Blades go up with us, but I'm not desperate for it.
I'm not concerned about the others, and neither should Wednesday be. They need to look realistically at themselves, what the club is at this stage, and calmly but assertively SCRAP for every point and goal (even to the last gasp of added time!)
That said, Wednesday are not a 'Championship' side, Charlton and Sheff. Utd. are. There must be some Wednesday players who can see themselves being replaced if Wednesday are promoted. They may (sort of) want to stay in League One - at the top end - but still League One. It's a thought - a worrying one, because they won't have the grit to give what we now need of them.
cheshire cat
Hmm. I read that thinking another pig infiltrator had burrowed under the fence to spout a load of 'considered, temperate and evenly-judged' hogwash. But no. Apparently this be a Wednesdayite who finds it hard to recognize there's a fine line between being realistic and being unfaithful. But then his name suggests he must've written that lot with a dirty great grin on his face. If that's your first post cc I look forward to the next. If not, **** off back to Wonderland and take that daft looking rabbit with you.
OurMaurice
No, Maurice, I'm not grinning, I mean it.
I'm a SHEFFIELD supporter with an enormous 'W' and quite a small 'u' - i.e. I don't hurt much when United lose; I certainly do suffer if Wednesday fail to deliver - always have.
Considering last season - to be at worst '5th.' (as per my calculations) is o.k.ish and may be as good as it will get - but I'll be delighted if Wednesday pleasantly surprise me. They have done on occasion this season.
cheshire cat
I can see this being another defeat for us if players attitudes dont change.Im thinking a 1-0 defeat or poss 2-1 with Reda scoring our goal.Im sorry for the nagative outlook but thats wot im getting from watching this shower at the moment.
ollyowl70
Hmmmm. Sounds like Cheshire Cat could be related to Megson_Out. There is no such thing as a Sheffield Supporter. You are either Wednesday or *anker from the lane. This talk infuriates me. Thank God my father passed to the otherside when I was 9yrs old otherwise I probably would have ended up...... To much to consider. Anyway i saw the Light, Infact, you dont choose to support Wednesday they choose you.
Back on track for The Owls Tommorrow, Its time that we humilliated someone rather than be humilliated. Time to whip ass boys. COME ON WEDNESDAY!!!!!!!!!!
Hereford Owl
Lots of words from a pesimistic so called cheshire cat but lots of games to go yet. Keep the faith smiler the biggest crowds in league 1, most of the championship and some of the premiership from the not so massive club will get us promoted like last time whether automatic or in the play offs (42000 owls at Cardiff, please define exactly what is massive??)
MightyWednesday
Cheshire Cat there is no such thing as a "Sheffield" supporter your either an OWL or a NESBITT INTERBRED DINGLE 3 -1 to those blue and white wizards tomorrow UTO
andymac-scoresagoal
Massive? Over used word in football currently - MightyW, you missed the irony or I didn't make it clear. Pessimistic? Don't know - I've felt a lot better since calculating our possible worst position, currently. It's not that bad - especially considering we might have ceased to exist at all before MM - and his statements are encouraging. Crowds - I remember 'massive' ones were normal. Hereford Owl, Sheffield supporter? There are some who love Wednesday but don't hate United and vice versa. I was exhultant when we equalised in the latest derby - and I wanted us to win. I'll be devasted if we don't beat them at Hillsborough, but then, I remember a time when we mixed with visting supporters on the Kop, booed and derided the opposition if they were crap and applauded them (disappointedly) and acknowledged their skill and even their goals. Now there's only applause when an opposing player is stretchered off or if someone's died - if then.
cheshire cat
Welcome Cheshire Cat, I see you have already met OurMaurice the much loved comedian of the forum and optimist. I think there are some fans who love the game and some fans who see it as some kind of tribal warefare. Personally I do really dislike Sheffield United because they really rib us if we are below them in the league and I feel very strongly that they are a far inferior club. My absolute adoration of Sheffield Wednesday means I hate Sheffield United almost just too protect what I know is right. Sheffield Wednesday is an incredible club and by far the greatest club in Yorkshire. There are better clubs out there in the world but this is the club I love and will follow till the day I die. However like you I do feel we could be a bit more chilled out about the whole affair. A bit of verbal abuse yes but never physical. Dish out the abuse but also take defeat gracefully, surely we must have learnt to do that over the years. So yes I would love to see an integrated crowd. I wish the piggies could cry on my shoulder as Jermaine Johnson bags a hatrick and Reda Johnson scores goal of the season. Over and out! P.S Yes I predict 4-0 over the pigs
Devon_Owl
Good morning cc, pleased to see you've decided to stick with the programme. So let's see if we can find a cure. When I was a boy I was led to believe there was a troublesome minority who, many years earlier, had decided to break from tradition and form their own football club. They weren't considered to be a threat in any way but I was told it was best not to talk to them. It would be a few years later before I discovered the truth, that these poor deluded fools were actually victims of a bizarre genetic mutation which, in a relatively short space of time, transformed them into pigs. Nasty. Many might argue that the rest of us ought to feel some sympathy, after all it can't be much fun to congregate together in cramped squalor and sing songs about rat butties. But in truth, they hate us probably nore than we pity them so the lines have been drawn. Even now I make the effort to ignore them completely but it's occasionally necessary for us to compete for the same oxygen and although this can often be hugely demanding for those of us with the strongest of stomachs we do so because it's RIGHT. With all that said, imagine our surprise to discover the existence of a third species; a SHEFFIELD fan. The missing link? Or simply a new worrying development. Honesty can be applauded and confessions are generally the first step in any recognized treatment schedule, but I'd strongly advise that you get yourself seen to before the pigs find out. After all, they're the ones most likely to find out where you live and brandish burning torches in the street outside. This has been a public service announcement. Up The Owls!
OurMaurice
Morning all.
You said it in a nutshell, Devon. 'Some fans who love the game and some fans who see it as some kind of tribal warfare.'
I suppose we all fit in somewhere along that spectrum and should be able to understand each other's position on it.
cheshire cat
P.S. Notwithstanding my moderate sentiments, A win for the Owls today and anything less than maximum points for the Blades, Charlton and MK Dons would be BRILLIANT!
cheshire cat
Dear Cheshire cat. Just because my username is Hereford Owl doesn't mean that i am not a Sheffielder. Born & bread mate. Hail from Lowedges, if you know where that is..... Moved to Hereford 14 years ago for work. Supported the best team in the land since 1976, followed them through thick and thin, stood on the kop on Boxing day 1979, in a tee shirt freezing my nuts off, just because my mum bought me my first wednesday shirt. (49000 supporters). Massive..
My allegiance is with the blue & white wizzards, who should be in the premier league, but as most clubs, have had unsuccessful times and then freefall down the divisions....
Although we are, at the moment stuttering in performance and belief, we will be back in the premier league soon.
Why not join Vital pigs, probably where you belong chap.
Hereford Owl
LOL nice one bro UTO WTID
drodgers34
what the hell has happened to us UTO WTID
drodgers34
Putting all jokes and tribal warfare to one side, when I first came on this site I was genuinely surprised that one or two posters expressed the opinion that Wednesday were not a MASSIVE club. These opinions were usually shot down in flames but the point had been made. I'd argue that there are two facts about Wednesday that cannot be disputed, 1) that we so nearly went out of existence thanks to a decade or more of gross mismanagement and 2) ours always has been shall forever remain a MASSIVE club. So what makes a club massive? History? Wealth? League status? Contents of the trophy cabinet? How about the size of it's fanbase? Well that last item might have something to do with a club's geographical location and/ or population within a given catchment area. But it's not that simple. Local competition can often strengthen a club's ability to attract interest especially when one club enjoys success and the other does not. Attendances are often greater at grounds where the home side has the better chance of winning on a regular basis. And success breeds success. As has been proven on countless occasions around the country, promotion followed by a sizable investment can fire the imagination of the public which is then shown in increased season ticket sales etc etc. Unfortunately some clubs may be guilty of over-committing and if that initial level of success is not maintained the downward spiral can be even more spectacular. What is most notable about our club, in my own opinion, is that we're able to perpetuate a colossal fanbase WITHOUT achieving any notable level of success. Why is this? One answer would be it's because Wednesday possess that quality, that 'aura' you mentioned cc, and THAT is what makes us MASSIVE. We bask in our victories and suffer our defeats but we stay loyal and that is what defines us. That is what it means to be a WEDNESDAYITE. Back in the Big Jack era I'd successfully converted a workmate, a New Zealander, and we went to every home match and at least a third of all away matches for about three seasons. I heard someone ask him one time why a Kiwi would want to travel around the world, settle in the north of England and support a club like Sheffield Wednesday. He summed it up in two words: "The fans." And that's it in a nutshell. WE are MASSIVE and that's all down to the club we love. Gary Megson understands. He's a Wednesdayite too. Mr. Mandaric is starting to understand (if he doesn't do so already). We know what it's like to ride that spiral down to oblivion but we're on our way back up now. I'd applaud any efforts MM makes to ensure history doesn't repeat itself and if that means resisting the urge to over-commit at this stage then who are we to question his motives. He has the best interests of the club at heart, OUR best interests. All that's left for us to do is give everyone our full support. Here endeth the lesson.
OurMaurice
DOGS BOLL***S OurMaurice Unquestionable by any OWL
andymac-scoresagoal
I think I'm having a nightmare have we really just lost 4 games on the bounce and practically given the piggies 2nd spot, the only thing that makes me a little more optimistic about gaining promotion through the playoffs is that Huddersfield decided that Lee Clarke wasn't the man to gain them promotion and I don't see the players playing any better under any other manager.
I still believe we can get 2nd but it's going to be very difficultconsidering performances of late and also questionable tactics/substitutions (Madine for O'Grady when it's still 0-0), I know we still have 14 games left but I really do feel that the game on Sunday we either make or break our season fingers cross the team will rally and get the 3 points we so desperately need.
On a different point think GM needs to bring in a striker and a winger (Antonio would be a phenominal loan signing) with in the next week would also like to see a centre mid as Bostock doesn't seem to be fitting in as for Madine I don't have any time for him I never really rated him to start off with and his chant has to be by far the worst I have ever heard.
Question for all the fans do you think GM is on borrowed time?
SWFC Tubes 84
You are a legend OurMaurice, and you know exactly how every wednesdayite feels about his club, which is so hard to understand if you are an outsider. Imagine a "GLASGOW SUPPORTER" yeah rite!!!!
Anyway we shall move on from this silly talk from cc.
we all have to pull together, and start winning.
Keeping the Faith. WTID Always
Hereford Owl
Have Your Say
Recent Articles
Owls XI to visit Frickley Athletic (Monday May 20 2013)
Tigers confirm Wednesday friendly clash (Wednesday May 15 2013)
Owls confirm Scunthorpe friendly date (Wednesday May 15 2013)
Stats: Wednesday v Middlesbrough (Sunday May 5 2013)
Limited tickets left for Boro clash (Wednesday May 1 2013)
Draw keeps Millwall in relegation mix (Tuesday April 30 2013)
Preview: Peterborough v Owls (Friday April 26 2013)
Owls fans to flock to Peterborough (Wednesday April 24 2013)
Bolton recall Owls loan man Holden (Sunday April 21 2013)
Jones content with Ipswich Town point (Sunday April 21 2013)
Archived Articles
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2005
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2006
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2007
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2008
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2009
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2010
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2011
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2012
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2013
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2006
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2007
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2008
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2009
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2010
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2011
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2012
Vital Wednesday Articles from 2013
Vital Members League (view all)
| 1. | optimisticowl | 41 |
| 2. | OurMaurice | 26 |
| 3. | spiro theocropolis | 25 |
| 4. | DB2002 | 20 |
| 5. | ozzietheowl | 14 |
| 6. | dooleys left leg | 13 |
| 7. | Miruic | 12 |
| 8. | dublin owl | 8 |
| 9. | RatherRandomOwl | 6 |
| 10. | trig44 | 6 |
League Results (view all)
| Latest Results | ||||
| Sheff Wed | 2 | - | 0 | Middlesbrough |
| Peterborough | 1 | - | 0 | Sheff Wed |
| Sheff Wed | 1 | - | 1 | Ipswich |
| Blackpool | 0 | - | 0 | Sheff Wed |
| Leeds Utd | 2 | - | 1 | Sheff Wed |
| Millwall | 1 | - | 2 | Sheff Wed |
League Table (view table)
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 15. Blackpool | 46 | 14 | 17 | 15 | -1 | 59 |
| 16. Middlesbrough | 46 | 18 | 5 | 23 | -9 | 59 |
| 17. Blackburn | 46 | 14 | 16 | 16 | -7 | 58 |
| 18. Sheff Wed | 46 | 16 | 10 | 20 | -8 | 58 |
| 19. Huddersfield | 46 | 15 | 13 | 18 | -20 | 58 |
| 20. Millwall | 46 | 15 | 11 | 20 | -11 | 56 |
| 21. Barnsley | 46 | 14 | 13 | 19 | -14 | 55 |
Breaking League News
| LUFC Long season continues for Austin
» Leeds Utd : 20/05/2013 20:54:00
|
| LUFC Leeds announce new Vice-Chairman
» Leeds Utd : 20/05/2013 20:34:00
|
| Boro off to the coast
» Middlesbrough : 20/05/2013 19:44:00
|
| Foxes Looking Forward To Hong Kong Sevens
» Leicester City : 20/05/2013 18:16:00
|
| Murray's Op A Success
» Crystal Palace : 20/05/2013 18:05:00
|
| Tranmere is Fifth Summer Friendly!
» Burnley : 20/05/2013 17:51:00
|
| Tykes Transfer Rumours - Lee Novak
» Barnsley : 20/05/2013 17:49:00
|
Current Site Poll (view all polls)
|
|