Express & Star

Kenny Jackett: Wolves need a game plan

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Boss Kenny Jackett reckons Wolves will need a game-plan to combat the strength and power of Sheffield Wednesday when the sides meet.

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Head coach Jackett wants his team to build on the positive first hour last week against Bournemouth – before front-runner Rajiv van La Parra was controversially sent off – and combine their battling qualities with a positive approach to deal with an improving Owls side tomorrow.

Wednesday, managed by one-time Molineux caretaker boss Stuart Gray, have won their last two fixtures, defeating Wigan and Blackburn, but that sequence followed a run of 11 games without a victory.

"They have a lot of power, a lot of pace, as the Championship does," said Jackett.

"I wouldn't say the league is poor technically, but the technique side is secondary to how big, how strong, how quick the division is. They will be coming at us.

"Going to Sheffield Wednesday, a big club, it will create a good atmosphere. We will have to compete and defend very well to get a foothold in the game.

"We have looked at them closely. We will look specifically at how to cope with them.

"If we can base our game on the first hour at Molineux last weekend, that's what we have to do. We need to do that and more."

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Jackett will look to Kevin McDonald, who was recalled to face Bournemouth last weekend, and Dave Edwards to lead by example from the centre of the park.

The head coach wants the pair to continue the standards they set during the stormy Molineux encounter last Saturday.

Edwards and McDonald ran the equivalent of eight miles each in covering and probing the opposition.

"It's the job of a midfield player to get around the pitch and both of them did," said Jackett.

"The spirit and attitude were there from the team, unfortunately not a result, which is always needed.

"You always need to win points. But there was a performance to build on and central midfield led the ways in terms of running, effort and commitment."