Wednesday will be looking to continue their winning start to the new season with cup progression when League Two side Bury visit S6 in the Carling Cup.
Alan Irvine has highlighted the important of a good cup run this season and Wednesday should be big favourites to progress against lower league opposition.
The Owls boss won’t be taking the Shakers lightly though, despite expecting to field a much-changed side to the one that beat Dag & Red on Saturday.
Vital Quotes:
Owls boss Alan Irvine told the official SWFC website:
‘We want to win every game and I will pick a team that I believe can do that. The players know the team and there are some changes, there is no question about that, but the changes are first team players for first team players.
‘Our squad is very competitite and there are a lot of players who can be changed around without it really affecting the strength of the team.
‘I don’t see how a good cup run can do us any harm. We have a good squad and should be able to cope with the demands of extra games.’
Wednesday Team News:
Wednesday will definitely be without winger Jermaine Johnson, who is sidelined for up to two months through injury.
Clinton Morrison may also be rested after he came through just over an hour of Saturday’s opener despite only featuring once in pre-season.
It could mean Irvine will give a chance to fellow new signing Neil Mellor, who only featured as a substiture on Saturday, while Paul Heffernan could also get his first competitive run-out as an Owl.
Another new arrival looking for his first start is Daniel Jones, who is best suited to the left-wing and could come in for either Gary Teale or Chris Sedgwick.
Player to watch: Any of the new boys!
Owls boss Alan Irvine may not reveal his line-up, but it’s almost a certainty that Wednesdayites will see some new faces in action tonight, with Neil Mellor, Paul Heffernan, Daniel Jones and Jon Otsemobor all looking for a start.
Bury Team News:
Bury started their npower League Two campaign in disappointing fashion at the weekend with a 1-0 home defeat against Port Vale.
The Shakers will be looking to bounce back, and in some style at Hillsborough, and boss Alan Knill is expected to field a full strength side for the clash.
Knill lives in Sheffield and his son, Jordan, is a big Wednesday fan – so he’ll have little to learn about the Owls.
Ben Futcher is an injury absentee for the League Two side but Bury have no fresh injury concerns coming into the game.
Player to watch: Steven Schumacher
The 26-year-old midfielder is a former Everton youth graduate and may well have crossed paths with Owls boss Alan Irvine during his time at Goodison Park. He was handed the captain’s armband at the weekend and will be looking to lead his team to success tonight.
Match Facts & Stats
Head-to-Head:
Wednesday wins: 34
Bury wins: 25
Draws: 16
Last Time Out:
Bury 1-3 Wednesday
Gigg Lane, 21/08/01
The last time Wednesday faced Bury was in the same cup competition, nine years ago. Goals from Efan Ekoku, Danny Maddix and Paul McLaren gave the Owls a relatively comfortable win, while Paul Reid netted a late consolation goal from the penalty spot.
Next Fixtures:
v Colchester United (A) – 14/08/10
