Sheffield Wednesday fans preview the remainder of the season
Tension amongst Sheffield Wednesday fans is on the rise as the Owls aim for a playoff spot in the Sky Bet Championship. With a handful of teams keen to catch their tail, every fixture from now until the end of the season is vital if Wednesday are to claim a place as one of the four teams who will fight to gain promotion to the Premier League.
Having narrowly missed out last term in a play off final defeat to Hull City, the Owls will be looking to go one step further this campaign. Wednesday will be hopeful of playing amongst the giants of the English game once again next season, having waited seventeen years thus far since dropping out of the top flight.
This week Shoot! caught up with eight Sheffield Wednesday fans and asked each of them the same set of questions to view their opinions and preview their expectations as the 2016/17 season draws to a close.
Fan: Jon Riley @JonjoRiley
With only a handful of games left in the Sky Bet Championship this campaign, how do you see the remainder season panning out for Sheffield Wednesday? “With influential players returning to full fitness, Hooper, Forestieri, Lees and hopefully Hutchinson and Lee before the end of the season, I am optimistic that Wednesday will seize the momentum the head into the playoffs in form.”
Final points tally prediction? “78”
As all Sheffield Wednesday fans know, making the playoffs may be decided on the final day of the season against Fulham, how would you expect Sheffield Wednesday to approach the game? “If it came down to a Wednesday v Fulham shootout, I’d expect Wednesday to play a solid 4-4-2, with Reach and Wallace out wide and a defensive midfielder in front of the back four. It wouldn’t surprise me, playing with height across the pitch as we have been susceptible to set pieces this season and wouldn’t want to miss out after being dominated in the air”.
Score prediction? “3-2 to Wednesday.”
What consequences do you expect if Sheffield Wednesday were to miss out on the playoffs this season? “If we were to miss out on the playoffs, I wouldn’t want to see wholesale changes for next season. A centre back, an athletic centre midfielder and a quick winger would be top of my shopping list.”
If Sheffield Wednesday were to make the playoffs, do you think they have what it takes to go all the way this time around? “Last season, we were serious underdogs in the playoffs with Hull, Brighton and Derby in there. This year I’d be far more confident, and if we were to make the final at Wembley, I’d back us against any of our rivals.”
End of season prediction? “I predict Wednesday to finish sixth, just ahead of Fulham and then reach the playoff final against Reading.”
Fan: Ian Allen @MrIanallen
With only a handful of games left in the Sky Bet Championship this campaign, how do you see the remainder season panning out for Sheffield Wednesday? “Sheffield Wednesdays season depends entirely on getting Forestieri, Hutchinson and Hooper being fit and playing, they are the difference between being in or out off the playoffs and winning or losing games.”
Final points tally prediction? “Final points tally optimistically is 74 points but I hope we scrape in with a final home game against Fulham plus a sell out crowd giving us the momentum into the playoffs.”
As all Sheffield Wednesday fans know, making the playoffs may be decided on the final day of the season against Fulham, how would you expect Sheffield Wednesday to approach the game?
“Carlos would want it sorted before then but would take beating Fulham on the final day if it was offered to me now. Think the match would be cagey but again with the above names mentioned, you would be more confident.”
Score prediction? “2-1 to Wednesday.”
If Sheffield Wednesday were to make the playoffs, do you think they have what it takes to go all the way this time around?
“If the players including Lee could be fit and able going into the playoffs I would be confident of beating any of the teams. The only danger for me would be a team like Preston who have great momentum and no pressure on there shoulders. If we have players back I’m sure we will go into the playoffs and it wouldn’t surprise me if we got promoted. If we don’t get certain players back from injury I think we will struggle.”
End of season prediction? “My end of season prediction is scrape into playoffs and then it’s a lottery, however, we were there last season and this gave us a bit off experience and that will help. Our season depends on getting players fit, Lee returning late on will be a massive bonus. There is nothing to fear from any current team in the playoff positions. Huddersfield and Reading are there for me already, Leeds United, Sheffield Wednesday, Preston and Fulham will be fighting for the remaining two spots.”
Fan: Lisa @ljc7owls
With only a handful of games left in the Sky Bet Championship this campaign, how do you see the remainder season panning out for Sheffield Wednesday?
“I think we will win our remaining home games and possibly one away.”
Final points tally prediction? “82 points.”
As all Sheffield Wednesday fans know, making the playoffs may be decided on the final day of the season against Fulham, how would you expect Sheffield Wednesday to approach the game?
“I would expect Wednesday to treat this game like any other, go for a win, even if we only need a draw.”
Score prediction? “I think Wednesday will win 2-0.”
What consequences do you expect if Sheffield Wednesday were to miss out on the playoffs this season?
“A few teams may come in for our players; we may lose a few but hopefully keep the main ones and build around them for next season.”
If Sheffield Wednesday were to make the playoffs, do you think they have what it takes to go all the way this time around?
“With all our players coming back from injury, I think we could have a strong team again when we need them, so yes I think we can do it this time around.”
End of season prediction? “I’m going to say playoff winners, we have played a lot of games this season when we haven’t been playing our best football yet still managed to win.”
Fan: The realist @Divers1986
With only a handful of games left in the Sky Bet Championship this campaign, how do you see the remainder season panning out for Sheffield Wednesday?
“Unless something drastic changes in our style of play between now and the Fulham game, I really can’t see us making play offs. On the other hand we are more than capable of producing a performance or two; we just need to let the shackles off! So to answer your questions if we carry on as are we are I expect a seventh or eighth place finish – if we let shackles off slightly I think we can make sixth.”
Final points tally prediction? “70 – 73 points, the extra three due to not being sure how we will do against Fulham – got us down for drawing with Derby, QPR and losing to Ipswich. I cannot call the Fulham tie.”
As all Sheffield Wednesday fans know, making the playoffs may be decided on the final day of the season against Fulham, how would you expect expect Sheffield Wednesday to approach the game?
“I’d expect us to attack, I’ve got a feeling if it goes to final game it will be us needing the win, however, in reality we will probably sit back and try and nick a goal if this season is anything to go by.”
Score prediction? “2-1 to Fulham.”
What consequences do you expect if Sheffield Wednesday were to miss out on the playoffs this season?
“Surely if we miss out on the play offs, Carlos and staff would have to go, however he would not be solely to blame. I’d expect a fair few big names to depart in the summer as well before the rebuilding process.”
If Sheffield Wednesday were to make the playoffs, do you think they have what it takes to go all the way this time around?
“Quite surprisingly I think if we somehow managed to scrape into the play offs we could do well. I think this because I don’t think anyone (myself included) would expect us to. I think we would be huge underdogs and maybe this would work in our favour?”
End of season prediction? “Below sixth unfortunately and miss the playoffs. No one will ever realise how much I hope I’m wrong about this though.”
Fan: Donny Owl @martynowl
With only a handful of games left in the Sky Bet Championship this campaign, how do you see the remainder season panning out for Sheffield Wednesday?
“It’s going to be a big ask but I think Sheffield Wednesday will just scrape the last play off spot.”
Final points tally prediction? “77”.
As all Sheffield Wednesday fans know, making the playoffs may be decided on the final day of the season against Fulham, how would you expect Sheffield Wednesday to approach the game?
“With a packed and bouncing Hillsborough, Wednesday need to go straight for the jugular.”
Score prediction? “3-1 to Sheffield Wednesday.”
What consequences do you expect if Sheffield Wednesday were to miss out on the playoffs this season?
“I think Sheffield Wednesday would be looking for a change but on a personal note I would like to see Carlos stay, I think he has brought us so far in such a short space of time. He has worked wonders and it takes more than two years to build a team and progress.”
If Sheffield Wednesday were to make the playoffs, do you think they have what it takes to go all the way this time around?
“I think we will be equipped to do well. The experience of last season would certainly help.”
End of season prediction? “That’s a very difficult question; I think if we got to playoff semis we could go all the way so I will stick with that, why not?”
Fan: Dean @spadger09
With only a handful of games left in the Sky Bet Championship this campaign, how do you see the remainder season panning out for Sheffield Wednesday?
“Very nervy, I’m hoping it doesn’t go to last match, I see the Derby game as the pivotal one, we have not beaten them in years and they seem to be on a roll.”
Final points tally prediction? “I would say we will get a further 12 points from the remaining six games.”
As all Sheffield Wednesday fans know, making the playoffs may be decided on the final day of the season against Fulham, how would you expect Sheffield Wednesday to approach the game?
“I don’t think it will, however, if so I think last years experience will get us through. We battered them at there place and conceded late on, if they come at us to win I can see a comfortable win.”
Score prediction? “3-1 to Wednesday.”
What consequences do you expect if Sheffield Wednesday were to miss out on the playoffs this season?
“I think Carlos is on the edge anyway, fairly or unfairly, I don’t know. We have not performed well in many games this season and got lucky, the fact he didn’t replace Lee with the same type of midfielder I’m sure hasn’t gone unnoticed by Chansiri.”
If Sheffield Wednesday were to make the playoffs, do you think they have what it takes to go all the way this time around, what is your prediction?
“Tough question, heart says play off winners; head says we all know the Wednesday way. We did the double over Huddersfield and feel we are better than Reading and Leeds, yet have both beaten us twice.”
Fan: Smiggy @smiggyswfc
With only a handful of games left in the Sky Bet Championship this campaign, how do you see the remainder season panning out for Sheffield Wednesday?
“The remainder of the season could do either way. We’ve shown in glimpses this season that we can better anyone in the league, but we’ve also shown we can be frustratingly poor. From the start the minimum expectation was sixth so I have to stick with that.”
Final points tally prediction? “I reckon the final points tally will be 76, which should be enough for sixth.”
As all Sheffield Wednesday fans know, making the playoffs may be decided on the final day of the season against Fulham, how would you expect Sheffield Wednesday to approach the game?
“If it came to it and we needed to beat Fulham I think we would win. It would be a full house, a cracking atmosphere and we usually turn up under those circumstances. If we only need a point I see it being cagey and us not knowing whether to go for it or sit for a draw, it could go all wrong. Although I think it’ll go to the last day and we will win.”
Score prediction? “Wednesday to win 2-0.”
What consequences do you expect if Sheffield Wednesday were to miss out on the playoffs this season?
“If we miss out on the top six then Carvalhal has to go for me and I think Chansiri will feel the same. After last season, anything less than playoffs is not good enough.”
If Sheffield Wednesday were to make the playoffs, do you think they have what it takes to go all the way this time around?
“The playoffs are a huge lottery and if you get there, you can win them. Hopefully last year drives them on and they have learnt a lesson from the experience. We’ve beat Huddersfield twice and not conceded yet so we can beat them, Leeds have beat us twice with us not scoring, so they can beat us but they don’t really worry me. Reading do worry me as although they are boring and tight, that can be massive in the playoffs. It’s a lottery so anything goes really.”
End of season prediction? “My prediction is for Sheffield Wednesday to finish sixth and then win the lot. That’s my heart and not my head but got to stick with it.”
Fan: Jon Hill @jonhill79
With only a handful of games left in the Sky Bet Championship this campaign, how do you see the remainder season panning out for Sheffield Wednesday?
“The trip to Loftus Road will be a difficult one on Easter Monday but with the squad we have I would expect us to deal with the Easter fixtures and come out on top at QPR. Of our final 4 games, I expect Derby to be our toughest test; Gary Rowett is a good manager at this level and has a wealth of talent at his disposal.
That said, with the game being at S6 I would hope that would give us the advantage and secure us the 3 points. Ipswich will be safe by the time we visit them so I fully envisage momentum carrying us through this one with 3 points and on to the Fulham game. If, and granted it’s a big if, the squad can stay fully fit and we can get Kieran Lee back with his golden touch, there is no better squad outside the top two than us.
With the firepower of Hooper, Winnall , Rhodes , Fletcher , Nuhiu and Forestieri at Carlos’s disposal combined with the creativity of Bannan , Wallace , McManaman , Reach, Lee, Matias, Buckley, I’m confident going in to the final 7 games (including the play-off final). As fans we can do our bit, whatever our individual views on how the season has gone so far, we have to pull together and create atmospheres like the Arsenal and Brighton games last season to drive the team on because at the end of the day we’re all Wednesday aren’t we?”
Final points tally prediction? “I am confident we can get 12 points from our final four games; I think we will finish on 82 points.”
As all Sheffield Wednesday fans know, making the playoffs may be decided on the final day of the season against Fulham, how would you expect Sheffield Wednesday to approach the game?
“I may not conform with opinions here but I honestly don’t think Fulham will be in reach of the play-offs come the 7th of May, they have Villa and Huddersfield still to play and I can’t see them getting anything from either game. They then have Brentford at home before visiting Hillsborough and by that time I think Preston would have crept in and Leeds fallen out of the play-off picture and we will sit a comfortable fifth.”
Score prediction? “2-0 to Sheffield Wednesday”.
What consequences do you expect if Sheffield Wednesday were to miss out on the playoffs this season?
“You will never ask for my opinion ever again!!!”
If Sheffield Wednesday were to make the playoffs, do you think they have what it takes to go all the way this time around?
“Yes, with a fully fit squad, absolutely. This year round we have the experience and more importantly a lot more fire power.”
End of season prediction? “By the end of the season I think we will finish in fifth place. I expect us to face Reading in the playoffs semis and Huddersfield in the final, then gain promotion.”