Wednesday start their crucial run of three home games on the spin with the visit of Blackpool to Hillsborough tonight.
Alan Irvine and his men will be keen to bounce back from their defeat at Nottingham Forest at the weekend, and climb up the table with a vital month of football at S6.
Irvine has already helped Wednesday see off Blackpool in one of his first games in charge, a 2-1 success at Bloomfield Road, and he’ll be hoping for more of the same on home soil.
Ian Holloway’s Blackpool will also be looking to bounce back following their 2-1 home defeat against Leicester City at the weekend.
Vital Quotes:
Luke Varney told the Sheffield Star:
‘With the mentality that the gaffer had instilled is us, we believe we can get a result anywhere.
‘We deserved at least a point against Forest – and we fancied our chances going into the game.
‘Now we’ve got three home games in a row; we’ll be looking to force the issue.
‘We’ll regroup. We’re a confident group and I’m sure we’ll put it right on Tuesday.’
Wednesday Team News:
Wednesday boss Irvine has no fresh injury or suspension concerns for the visit of the Seasiders.
He’ll be tempted to stuck with the same eleven that fought bravely but fell to defeat at Nottingham Forest.
Frank Simek came through unscathed after returning to the starting eleven in place of
he injured Lewis Buxton, and he’s set to continue at right-back.
Both Leon Clarke and Etienne Esajas will be pushing for call-ups after featuring as substitutes at the City Ground.
Player to watch: Luke Varney
The on-loan striker has been in a rich vein of form of late and the Owls will be hoping he can find the back of the net to fire Wednesday to another crucial three points on home soil.
Blackpool Team News:
Blackpool will be without the axed tiro of Barry Bannan, Neal Eardley and Ishmel Demontagnac.
Boss Ian Holloway revealed all three won’t be part of the squad to visit S6 after they were spotted on a night out following their 2-1 defeat against Leicester City at the weekend, something Holloway deemed unprofessional.
Bannan was expected to be missing anyway after picking up a broken toe in the defeat to the Foxes.
Star man Charlie Adam will also be missing for the Seasiders after he collected his tenth booking of the season at the weekend, giving him a two-game ban.
Player to watch: Scott Dobbie
With some key men already missing for Blackpool, Dobbie’s role could prove even more important for the visitors. He netted in the defeat at the weekend and will be keen to get Blackpool’s unlikely play-off hopes back on track at S6.
Match Facts & Stats
Head-to-Head:
Wednesday wins: 38
Blackpool wins: 24
Draws: 13
Last Time Out:
Blackpool 1-2 Wednesday
Bloomfield Road, 19/01/10
It was less than a month ago when the two teams last met, Alan Irvine guiding Wednesday to a big win in one of his first games in charge. Tom Soares and Leon Clarke netted the Owls’ goals, while Charlie Adam responded with a late consolation goal for the hosts.
Form:
Wednesday: L-W-L-W-W
Blackpool: L-L-D-W-L
Next Fixtures:
v Doncaster Rovers (H) – 16/02/10
v Ipswich Town (H) – 20/02/10
