Wednesday will aim to make it back-to-back league victories and maintain their 100 per cent winning form at Hillsborough when Exeter City visit S6 this weekend.
The Owls will be big favourites for three points against the Grecians, who’ve made a sluggish start to the campaign with a return of just five points from nine games which leaves them second-from-bottom in npower League One.
But Gary Megson, the Wednesday manager, won’t be taking Paul Tisdale’s men lightly with the chance to break into the play-off spots a possibility for the Owls.
Vital Quotes:
Wednesday captain Rob Jones told the official SWFC website:
‘Getting the win at Yeovil last Saturday was vital and gave everyone a real boost. It was massively important that we showed the right character to bounce back after what everyone knows was a disappointing defeat at Stevenage in our previous game.
‘It’s important now that we build on that win to keep there or thereabouts in the league table, starting with Exeter on Saturday.’
‘Exeter have not had the best of starts to the season but, as ever, we will not be taking anything for granted.
‘We played Exeter on the final day of last season and were playing really well at Hillsborough but they beat us that day so we know what they are capable of.
‘But if we work hard and everybody does their jobs, we know we are capable of another win.’
Wednesday Team News:
Wednesday are likely to give a debut to new loan signing Stephen Bywater in goal following his midweek arrival from Derby County. The stopper has arrived following Nicky Weaver’s injury set-back. Richard O’Donnell had been plugging the gap in goal but Megson has brought in extra experience to his defence.
But Wednesday could be without the services of midfielder David Prutton through injury. James O’Connor, Paul Lines or Liam Palmer will come in for the former Forest and Southampton man.
On the plus side, striker Chris O’Grady could be in the matchday squad after he made an injury-hit start to his Hillsborough career. The former Rochdale man featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly in midweek and has declared himself ready for action.
Fellow striker David McGoldrick, another recent loan addition from Nottingham Forest, is expected to shake off a slight injury concern to make his home debut.
Player to watch: David McGoldrick
The Forest loan man netted on his debut in the blue and white stripes at Yeovil Town last weekend, and he’ll be keen to make a positive impressive on his home debut in front of the Wednesdayites should he get his chance.
Exeter City Team News:
Exeter boss Paul Tisdale could give a league debut to new loan recruit Jake Taylor, who arrived at the club in midweek from Championship side Reading.
The winger, who can also play just behind the strikers, has signed on a one-month loan and is expected to go straight into the Grecians’ squad for the trip to South Yorkshire.
Taylor’s introduction could be one of a number of changes made by the Exeter boss, who has seen his side go five matches without a victory.
Player to watch: Jake Taylor
Taylor only made the loan switch in midweek but, with just a month to impress, he’ll be looking to get off to a flying start for the Grecians against the Owls this weekend, should he feature.
Match Facts & Stats
Form:
Wednesday: W-L-W-D-L
Exeter: L-D-L-L-D
Head-to-Head:
Wednesday wins: 2
xeter wins: 6
raws: 1
Last Time Out:
Wednesday 1-2 Exeter City
Hillsborough, 07/05/11
The Owls completed a miserable last season with a 2-1 home defeat against the Grecians. Jermaine Johnson had fired the hosts ahead before goals from Daniel Nardiello and Troy Archibald-Henville won it for the visitors.
Next Fixtures:
v Hartlepool United (A) – 01/10/11
