Sheffield Wednesday - a look ahead

Form (last six): D-L-L-D-W-W

2002/03 Finish: League; First Division; 22^nd

FA Cup: Third Round

League Cup: Second Round

2002/03 Top Scorer: Gerald Sibon [9]

2002/03 Discipline: 75 yellow, 5 red

2003/04 Top Scorer: Shefki Kuqi - 5 [now with Ipswich Town]

It truly is a shame to say that Sheffield Wednesday, within a three-year spell, have been reduced from the promised land of the Premiership right down into the Nationwide Division Two. After relegation from the Premiership during the 1999/2000, Wednesday have failed to learn their lesson as they eventually slipped down and out from the First Division with just 46 points – not before beating F*rest with a sound 2-0 defeat.

Grant Holt - gunning for goals.

The fall of the Owls was hugely due to the club’s financial management, or lack of it as the case may be, as the board splashed out £3 million and £4.5 million respectively on Italian-pairing Benito Carbone and Paulo Di Canio – both demanding chunky wage packets during the as chairman everywhere jumped upon the bandwagon in the rush for success hoping that success will pay dividends for them – a tactic which has failed miserably for the Hillsborough side.

With the club somewhat cash-strapped [sound familiar?] and condemned to life in Division One after enjoying lengthy spells in the top-flight, Wednesday soon found it hard to adapt as have many other sides as Wednesday slipped slowly, but surely into the Second Division joining other Premiership old-boys such as; Barnsley, Oldham Athletic, QPR and the like.

Chris Turner is the man who, in the latter part of last season, accepted the challenge of guiding the Owls back up to where this club inevitably belongs – a task at times must seem as though Turner was negotiating a mine-field. With such a task you’d expect there to be sacrifices to try to steady the financial plight – and there have been with Gerald Sibon, Danny Maddix, Ashley Westwood, Darryl Powell, Ryan Green, Simon Donnelly and, more recently, Shefki Kuqi all leaving Hillsborough in recent months as the club try to balance the clubs wage-bill.

However, one man who looks to be something special was the man brought in from Conference side, Barrow. Striker, Grant Holt has caused a real stir in South Yorkshire since his arrival with his bustling style of play and dominating aerial presence leaves the youngster towering above the rest the pack.

Despite the Carlisle-born front-man only making seven appearances last season for Wednesday’s first-string side he has already grabbed his first goal for the club, against Brighton & Hove Albion last season.

***Star Player*** - Alan Quinn

The next Roy Keane?

At only 24-years of age midfielder, Alan Quinn has burst into the first-team frame with remarkable ease as he became the light at the end of the tunnel as Chris Turner’s side went through one of many rough spells during the 2002-03 campaign. Quinn’s accomplishment with Wednesday soon had international eyebrows raised as the Dubliner was called up to represent his native Republic of Ireland at senior level.

The high-energy midfielder was scouted whilst playing for his former club, Cherry Orchard – the club in which Notts signed youngster Shane McFaul.

This accomplished midfielder will play a major role if the Owls are to make their move back into higher league football.

***Odds Checker*** - courtesy of William Hill www.willhill.com

Sheffield Wed: 4/7

Draw: 5/2

Notts Co: 4/1