Wednesday will desperately look to end a run of over three months without a league win at Hillsborough when Peterborough United visit tonight.
The Owls have seen their npower League One play-off hopes all-but ended thanks to their dire home form, highlighted in the 1-0 home loss against Notts County at the weekend.
It may be too late to salvage a top-six spot for Gary Megson and his men, but it’s not too late to salvage some pride before the end of the season – and Wednesdayites will hope that starts tonight against Posh.
A 5-3 defeat against Posh last month spelt the end of Alan Irvine’s reign at Wednesday, and the Owls will look for a bit of revenge tonight.
Vital Quotes:
Owls boss Gary Megons told the Sheffield Star:
‘We know the danger, the quality they have. If we sit back and let them do what they want, they’ll turn us over because of the quality of the forward players they have.
‘We have to be a lot more aggressive – not in terms of belting people all over the show, but we have to take the game to them.
‘If we get ourselves playing in the right manner, then we’ll start getting results.’
Posh boss Darren Ferguson told BBC Radio Sheffield:
‘Any time you go to Sheffield Wednesday it’s a tough game regardless of where they are.
‘They’ve got some good players, players who probably feel they should be in the Championship.
‘We’re in good form, we’re looking fairly solid, but we’ll be severely tested and we’ll have to be at our best to win.’
Wednesday Team News:
Wednesday have a double doubt ahead of the visit of Posh with striker Gary Madine and midfielder Isaiah Osbourne struggling to be fit.
The former Carlisle United hitman missed the 1-0 home loss against Notts County on Saturday and will be given a late fitness test before Megson announces tonight’s squad.
Osbourne, on-loan from Aston Villa until the end of the season, could also join the injury list after picking up a knock against the Magpies.
It could mean Giles Coke wins a place back in the Owls midfield, while James O’Connor and Darren Potter will also be chomping at the bit for a return.
Megson could also tinker with his formation after trying two up top on Saturday – both Clinton Morrison and Neil Mellor started in attack – and coulld revert to a five-man midfield.
Player to watch: Clinton Morrison
Morrison was a frustrated figure on Saturday as he failed to find the back of the net, but in the absence of Gary Madine he’ll need to be at the top of his game to help silence the doubters and fire Wednesday to what would be three big points.
Peterborough United Team News:
Peterborough arrive at Hillsborough on the back of a 6-0 thumping of Carlisle United at the weekeend and boss Darren Fergsuon is unlikely to make any changes.
Posh have no fresh injury or suspension concerns.
They turned down a bid for star man Craig Mackail-Smith from Norwich City and the striker will no doubt be buoyed by the interested ahead of the trip to South Yorkshire.
Midfielder Lee Frecklington remains sidelined with a hernia injury.
Player to watch: Craig Mackail-Smith
Mackail-Smith has been Peterborough’s star man this season and he’ll be looking to fire Posh to another victory at Hillsborough tonight. Subject of a recent bid from Norwich City, which was rejected.
Match Facts & Stats
Form:
Wednesday: L-W-L-W-D
Posh: W-W-W-W-D
Head-To-Head:
Wednesday wins: 8
Peterborough wins: 4
Draws: 4
Last Time Out:
Peterborough 5-3 Wednesday
London Road, 01/02/11
In a game which proved to be Alan Irvine’s last as Wednesday manager, Posh saw off ten-man Wednesday in an eight-goal thriller at London Road. Goals from Jermaine Johnson, Gary Madine and Chris Sedgwick put the Owls 3-2 up before Darren Potter saw red and Posh ran away with victory late on.
Next Fixtures:
v Southampton (A) – 19/03/11
