Do or Die

As many Wednesday fans feared, the relegation battle will be decided on the final game of the season with the Owls needing a win to stop up.

If we’re being honest, this season has been a disaster. With what looked like a few solid signings in Darren Purse and Tommy Miller at the start of the season, hopes were high for perhaps a play-off place, but ever since the collapse against Barnsley way back last summer the season has never really got started.

Brian Laws was rightly sacked following a dreadful sequence of results that climaxed with a gutless performance at Leicester. Things picked up under Alan Irvine, but not for long and the Owls drifted back into the mire. Not one outfield player can claim to have played well all season as inconsistency has dogged the Owls.

Lee Grant’s award for player of the season goes some way to describing how bad it has been.

If Sunday’s opponents Palace hadn’t gone into administration then the Owls would have been relegated already and would have to look forward to trips to the likes of Hartlepool and Rochdale next season.

Quite frankly, the Owls fully deserve to have been relegated. Let’s look at the facts: Wednesday have lost 21 times in the league this season. Have conceeded 67 goals and have failed to score in 18 Championship goals this season. The highest point total the Owls can amass is 49, Irvine’s target was 53, and 50 is usually seen as the cut off point.

Under Irvine, Wednesday, have passed up numerous opportunities to pick up more points. Bristol City at home the Owls weren’t ruthless enough. Away to Middlesbrough, a team there for the taking, Wednesday were shot-shy. The last few minutes of the Sheffield derby saw Wednesday blow yet more chances to haul themselves out of trouble.

However, Sunday offers a last chance saloon opportunity for Wednesday and the players must be grateful and finally deliver a performance for the long-suffering fans.

There needs to be passion, desire, confidence and skill. All things the Owls have lacked at crucial times this season.

Brighter times do seem on the horizon, with finances finally looking like they might be coming into the club, but first of all the players have to ensure the Championship status of the blue and white stripes.

Guess it’s over to you, Mr. Purse.