On Sky
Wednesday turn their attentions the FA Cup action this weekend when they take on npower League Two high-fliers Morecambe in the first round proper of the prestigious competition.
Owls boss Gary Megson took the JP Trophy and League Cup competitions lightly but won’t do the same in the world’s oldest cup competition. He’s set to field a strong-looking side for what will be a potential banana skin against the Shrimps.
Morecambe sit fifth in League Two and will fancy their chances, especially after seeing the match picked for live ESPN coverage. Both sides will also know their opponents in the second round going into the contest.
Vital Quotes:
Shrimps boss Jim Bentley told the club’s official website:
‘Whatever happens this is a great occasion for the club and I want everyone to celebrate it.
I really want our fans to get behind us and make a big noise. I would really like to see a wall of red on the terraces and as many flags as possible around the ground with everyone out for an enjoyable day.
I always remember the atmosphere at Christie Park the day we beatYork to get to Wembley. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up that day and I would love the same to happen again on Sunday. It is going to be a very tough game but if everyone gets right behind us it will be a special afternoon and we could create a bit of a shock.”
Owls assistant boss Chris Evans told the Sheffield Star:
“It is not rocket science that we will won`t be turning out the same side as we did last weekend so it is important for the fringe players to stake their claim and impress.
“Gary (Megson) will give opportunities to everyone in the squad. If they step up to the plate, the team will pick itself.”
Morecambe Team News:
Shrimps boss Jim Bentley will be keeping his eye on the fitness of a trio of players ahead of Sunday’s clash – which will be first live televised game ever at the Globe Arena.
Will Haining, Jason Price and Laurence Wilson all missed Morecambe’s draw at Plymouth last time out but all three will be hoping for a return in their big day in the FA Cup.
Haining and Price are likely to make the squad but Wilson is the most likely of the trio to miss out, though Bentley will give them all until the last minute to prove their fitness.
Other than that, Morecambe have no fresh injury or suspension concerns from their last match.
One noticeable feature will be their squad’s joint decision to take part in ‘Movember’ – and all will be sporting varying degrees of a moustache for the television cameras.
Player to watch: Danny Carlton
The Leeds-born striker is in his second spell with Morecambe, after coming through the club’s youth ranks. He has a good goals-to-game ratio with the Shrimps and is currently their joint top scorer in the league with six goals to his name.
Wednesday Team News:
Wednesday boss Gary Megson is expected to make changes to his usual match day squad, but not to the extent that he did in the JP Trophy and League Cup competitions.
Some will be forced, with loanee duo Ben Marshall and Stephen Bywater both unavailable in-line with their loan deals, although fellow loanee Danny Batth has been allowed to play by parent club Wolves.
Wednesday will have top-scorer Gary Madine back and available following a two-match suspension, and he’s likely to find his way back into the starting eleven.
Fringe players such as Jermaine Johnson, Clinton Morrison and Liam Palmer could all get starts, while Richard O’Donnell is set to take the place of Bywater in goal.
Player to watch: Gary Madine
Madine has been missing for the Owls’ last two games through suspension and he’ll be keen to return with a bang against the Shrimps. Wednesday’s top-scorer so far this term, Madine will aim to fire his side into the next round.
Match Facts & Stats
Form:
Owls: D-W-L-W-D
Morecambe: D-W-D-W-D
Head-to-Head:
This will be the first time the sides have played each other in any competitive match.
Next Fixtures:
v Tranmere Rovers (A) – 19/11/11
v Leyton Orient (H) – 26/11/11
