MATCHWATCH : Sheffield Wednesday (a) sponsored by Jack Witham

[Rax]

Good opportunity for us to keep a clean sheet having failed to do so in 6 matches.

Play the same team as Saturday, keep it tight and give nothing away then hit Sheffield Wednesday with the counter attack. We're clinical enough to score at least one chance even if we get just a few in the match.

+1

[URZZZZ]

Wednesdays home record since the end of 2019 is woeful, think it was something like 2 home wins in 20 (one being against Bournemouth who were down to 10 men, the other against L1 Charlton). Quite similar to our dismal home run in 2009 under Coppell and Rodgers

In the past, it’s exactly the sort of game we’d lose. Turn up complacent, stroll around and end up bullied all over the pitch. Do have more faith in this current squad at the moment however

Got to be the same team; slightly worried about the lack of alternatives on the bench but hopefully Swift and can return as soon as possible

[Mr Optimist]

I think we should go all out to try and get an early goal because otherwise it could be a very cagey and defensive game. If we score early they will have to open up and show some attacking ambition, and with it gaps for us to further pick them off.

[andrew1957]

Judging by the stats Wednesday are happy to let the other team have possession and to presumably play on the break, but they have only managed two shots on target during the last three games combined.

Therefore, we could end up with a lot of possession tonight. The question is whether we can break their relatively strong defence down. I think an early goal for us would help a lot, otherwise this could be a very dour watch.

[South Coast Royal]

And 12 goals in 36 games.Went on to play a lot of games for Pompey.Bit of a white flannel expert as well.

That's right-Surrey (?)
IIRC we bought Ernie Yard on the same day and they both played the next night.

It was one of those (many) occasions when we thought we might then have a good enough team for promotion but it was quite a few years in coming.

Tindall came with Johnny Petts in 1962. Both disasters. Ernie Yard was a few years later and an instant success.

You are right, I got the two midfielders from London clubs the wrong way round (memory doesn't always get things right from nearly 60 years ago).

Incidentally it shows what a couple of mega signings (£5000 and £11000) can do for attendances as we had a crowd of 13,032 to see their debuts in a season where we came 20th in Div 3 and we only had one higher crowd all season, a few hundred more to see us lose at home to Peterborough.

Tindall didn't score in that first game but became an instant hit by scoring away at Swindon in a 1-1 draw .

[yuomi]

From Joao's insta, Jayden Onen did his song/initiation (presumably at the team hotel?) last night.

Given his appearances on the bench lately thinking he can't be far away.

I know he scored last time out for the U23s, but can anyone comment on how he's been so far?

[tidus_mi2]

Come Saturday we will officially have the joint highest average attendance in the country and higher than Manchester United.

[Royals and Racers]

From Joao's insta, Jayden Onen did his song/initiation (presumably at the team hotel?) last night.

Given his appearances on the bench lately thinking he can't be far away.

I know he scored last time out for the U23s, but can anyone comment on how he's been so far?

I have watched him 3 times in the streamed matches this season- Leeds H Stoke, Crystal Palace A
i can`t say he has struck me as being poor or brilliant !! I would describe him as a busy player with a bit of close control skill.

[Sutekh]

No Meite. Semedo back.

[Zip]

No Yaks. Grrrr

[windermereROYAL]

No Meite. gutted.

[JR]

I read that in my head as No Joao - and cried. Almost relieved it’s Yak out as a result.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Bad news re Yaks, best player at weekend, but still a strong line up

More worried about Joao missing games as we've nothing up front if he's out and Puscas now out long term

[windermereROYAL]

Concerns me more that players are finishing games seemingly ok, and than missing for some reason.

[JR]

Concerns me more that players are finishing games seemingly ok, and than missing for some reason.

I think it’s the inevitable risk of non stop games. Hopefully it’s a precaution and will be back on Saturday or we’ll start to worry about Yak’s durability

[Royals and Racers]

Jobi Mcanuff in the SKY studio this evening.

[Gunny Fishcake]

Hopefully score early then kick on , draw wouldn't be a bad result ,just don't lose

[Snowflake Royal]

Gonna miss Meite, but Wednesday don't score a lot, so I'm happier missing him for this than a game against someone more prolific. Keep it tight, and plug away at getting Joao to work some magic, Olise or Ejaria to create something from nothing, or a set piece to go our way.

[South Coast Royal]

Here's hoping that Joao doesn't become too isolated up front and that the midfielders get close to him in support as often as possible.

[Zip]

We just don’t seem balanced with Semedo in the side. I hope he plays better tonight.