Sheffield Wednesday vs Wolves: The Inside track on The Owls

Luke Hatfield spoke to a number of Sheffield Wednesday fans and bloggers to find out about Wolves' next opponents.

Here, Wednesday fans Jonathan Garnett and Charlie Sharpe, who have both been published on OwlsAlive.com, and Chris Morris of Owls-mad.co.uk provide their thoughts on the upcoming encounter.

How have Wednesday got on so far this season? They seem to be falling lower than how most expected them to perform?

JG: We’ve really struggled for consistency this season which has largely been down to the subdued performances we’ve witnessed.

The attacking intent seems to have been knocked out of the side and there’s a lot of key players lacking confidence.

Jordan Rhodes being the main culprit, who has been in and out of the team after failing to deliver on his £8m+ price tag so far.

CS: This season has been mediocre to say the least.

We’re a completely bang-average team and look set for a mid table finish.

Most Wednesdayites would normally be content with that, however, after noises made by the chairman about automatic promotion being the target and us finishing in the playoffs for the last two consecutive seasons, we’re all feeling a little disappointed.

This squad is far more capable than how it has been playing.

Something isn’t right, we lack pace and it’s almost like we’re afraid to attack and get at the opposition for fear of being left open at the back - where our defensive line is a complete shambles after having been so reliable for two years.

CM: Wednesday have struggled so far this season and much of the blame is increasingly falling on the manager due to his over-cautious approach.

Our squad strengths are mainly our attacking options but too often the first half of our games is like a game of chess and we only really go attacking in the second half or if we fall behind.

We were in single figures for shots on target in the whole of November!

Steven Fletcher is one man who Wolves fans will know well - how's he been doing?

JG: Again, he’s one who’s been in and out of the team really, almost taking it in turns week by week to partner Gary Hooper up top.

Hasn’t really hit the form we’d like and is another culprit for inconsistent displays.

CS: Fletcher hasn’t scored a goal since August and looks low on confidence in front of goal.

He’s been in and out of the team recently due to the huge “depth” of striking ability we have at our disposal, none of which seem to be firing for us at the moment except Gary Hooper.

Saying that, I’d still put Fletcher beside Hooper as my first choice partnership, they link up well together.

CM: Fletcher started the season OK and got a crucial winner at Fulham early in the season.

He was forming a good understanding with Gary Hooper but the goals have dried up for Fletch recently and he has been in and out of the starting XI.

His effort can’t be faulted but as we haven’t been creating chances all of our forwards have struggled for consistency, other than Hooper.

Who are the other danger men Wolves fans should be wary of in the Wednesday ranks?

JG: Difficult to say after no wins in five games.

Adam Reach and Barry Bannan in midfield have been our most consistent performers so far this season, particularly Bannan who seems to create most if not all of our chances.

CS: Our two most consistent players this season have definitely been Hooper and Bannan.

I almost feel sorry for them for having to play in such a bang average side at the moment.

Westwood has been a key player for us for a few years but even he has made mistakes this season.

CM: Gary Hooper is key for us at the moment.

If he has an off day, like he did at Norwich then generally we struggle.

He is among the top scorers in the Championship despite our poor form and offers much more than goals with his intelligent link play.

Barry Bannan is full of energy and always wants the ball but needs to be playing more in the opposition half to have an impact.

Kieran Lee offers a goal threat and movement between the lines from midfield but has struggled to find his best form following a recent injury.

What kind of system can Wolves expect to face?

JG: Without the ball, two banks of four to try and keep things compact.

With the ball… I’d like to think we can mix it up and get our full backs forward, but it hasn’t really happened in the last five games.

CS: Wolves should expect us to set up with a 4-4-2 formation and lacking any real pace.

Our wingers are slow but we look to get our full backs overlapping them.

If they can close us down as we look to pass it around in defence then they’ll cause us all kinds of problems, we’re not as good at “building from the back” as we’d like to think.

CM: It’s unlikely that Carlos will sway from his 4-4-2.

The cautious approach has frustratingly been the norm this season though our best results and performances have come when we have attacked teams in the first half at home, as when we comfortably saw off Leeds 3-0.

What have you made of Wolves so far this season?

JG: Very impressive.

I won’t be the only one who was surprised with the amount of spending that took place in the summer and taking the gamble on FFP.

We’re looking on with envious eyes that the gamble seems to be paying off…

CS: Wolves have really impressed me this season and when I’ve caught one of their games I’ve really enjoyed it.

Sadly, I think they could teach us a real lesson in attacking football on Friday night.

CM: It’s difficult not to have been impressed by Wolves so far this season.

Fans of other clubs have been envious of the amount of money they have spent but they are not the only ones that have splashed the cash in the Championship in recent seasons, ourselves included.

From what I have heard the style of football is as impressive as the results.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of this Wednesday team?

JG: I’d say we have a lot more weaknesses than strengths at the moment which can be summed up by our possession.

We’re usually very good with the ball, but create very little with it.

CS: Our strengths are hard to pinpoint as we’re so hit and miss.

When we’re on form - think Leeds at home, Villa away - we look fantastic and if we could play like that consistently then our season would be a very different story.

Our weaknesses are blindingly obvious - we’re terrified at the back and at times look amateur in the mistakes we make. We lack pace and we've have spent two seasons failing to strengthen weakened positions and we don’t sell players so we’re creating a build up of overpaid players.

What's your prediction for the game?

JG: As much as I’d like to think we’ll come out fighting after increased pressure on our manager this week, I can’t really see anything other than an away win. 1-3 to Wolves.

CS: Realistically I think we’ll probably see Wolves win by two or three goals, what with their attacking football and our frailties at the back.

I wouldn’t be surprised if we win by the odd goal though either, with Carlos sat in the stands serving a one match touchline ban then that would see him survive another match.

One things for sure, it will be a cagey and tense atmosphere at Hillsborough on Friday, with many of the Wednesdayites losing faith with Carlos.

I think that’s a big shame as I love the bloke and will always be grateful for the last two years but I do think something isn’t right and we can’t get rid of the whole squad.

If we go behind on Friday then it’ll turn nasty in the stands as we’ve seen supporters arguing amongst themselves a few times this season.

There’s a bit of a cloud over us at the moment and I can’t see it going away without a change in management or an unrealistic winning run.

CM: It’s difficult to predict what will happen on Friday.

The form book points to an away win but we had gone three games without a win when we faced an in-form Leeds side earlier in the season and produced our best football.

Also, last season two of our best performances came in victories home and away against league leaders Newcastle.