Football League World
·29 April 2024
In partnership with
Yahoo sportsFootball League World
·29 April 2024
Sheffield Wednesday took a huge step towards safety as they beat West Brom 3-0 on Saturday in front of a packed Hillsborough.
Danny Rohl has done a magnificent job since he was named as Xisco Munoz’s successor earlier in the season, with the German having inherited a side that had picked up just three points from 11 games, with relegation seeming inevitable.
However, his coaching ability has seen many individuals improve, and there is a real structure and organisation to the way the side plays.
That was evident on Saturday, as the Owls comfortably beat Albion, who are in the top six and hoping to win promotion.
The win means Wednesday are three points clear of the bottom three, so they know that one point will guarantee the club another year in the second tier. As well as that, they will stay up if one of Birmingham or Plymouth don’t win on the final day, with the duo in action against Norwich and Hull respectively.
So, there was a real feel-good factor around Hillsborough on Saturday, and skipper Bannan summed it up with an emotional Instagram post, as he looked ahead to the ‘cup final’ at the Stadium of Light this weekend. .
“What a day yesterday was for the last home game of the season. One big family all pulling together in one direction is powerful. Love these lads. One cup final left. See you all next Saturday.”
And, that prompted a response from many connected to Wednesday, including popular former striker Atdhe Nuhiu, who simply put a love heart emoji after the post from the influential Wednesday man.
Even though Nuhiu left Wednesday three years ago, they are a club that remains close to his heart, which is understandable, as he spent seven years in Yorkshire, where the big target man made over 250 appearances in blue and white.
Since leaving, the 34-year-old had a season with APOEL, and he is currently playing in the Austrian top-flight for Altach.
You can be sure that Nuhiu will have one eye on the Sunderland game on Saturday, and it’s important that Wednesday do finish the job.
There’s no doubt that the win over the Baggies was huge, and it does mean that the Owls are in a remarkable position as they look to preserve their Championship status. But, this is football, and the unpredictability of this league is what makes it so appealing.
Ultimately, Wednesday would have snapped your hand off to be in this position a few months back, and it’s great for Rohl that his side controls their own destiny. That means he doesn’t have to be checking scores elsewhere, and they will certainly fancy their chances against a Sunderland side that have been inconsistent and have nothing to play for.
So, Wednesday will make the trip to Wearside in high spirits, and it really would be a brilliant achievement from the players and staff if they aren’t in the relegation zone come 2:30pm on Saturday.