Express & Star

Wolves' Danny Batth was once an Owl

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"That was probably the best decision I made, going on loan there." Wolves captain Danny Batth holds Sheffield Wednesday in high regard.

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The skipper enjoyed two loan spells at Hillsborough – including the whole 2011-12 season.

But the 25-year-old says they'll be no love lost when the two teams meet at Molineux tomorrow.

Batth said: "It's a fantastic club with great people and they gave me the playing time I needed, at the time.

"I'll be hoping they go up (through the play-offs), but in terms on Saturday it's Wolves through and through for me."

Batth has played a key role in Wolves' recent defensive improvement, which has seen them earn four consecutive clean sheets at Molineux.

It's a far cry from earlier in the campaign when they were at times shipping goals left, right and centre.

What does Batth put the improvement down to? He said: "We were perhaps too open, in terms of our shape without the ball.

"It's a mixture of things. Sometimes you just find a rhythm as a back four where you're never really feeling troubled. That comes with consistency of individuals and collectively.

"My own performances I feel have picked up since Christmas. With me coming back from the foot injury that troubled me for some time, that's hopefully – touch wood – behind me.

"I did struggle, I was training Friday and playing Saturday earlier on in the season.To get to that level where you trust your body, coming back from the injury which wasn't a straight-forward one.

"I'd like to think I've improved as a player this season. A second season in the Championship has helped me and I'd like to feel I've grown into the role of captain. It's a positive for myself."