Blackburn Rovers v Sheffield Wednesday: Fighting spirit can help Owls end sorry away run

Sheffield Wednesday defender Glenn Loovens

Wednesday have not won on their travels in 10 attempts since beating Huddersfield Town on April 2 – they even lost at League Two strugglers Cambridge United in the EFL Cup.

They looked like ending that sorry run at Birmingham City 10 days ago, but let a 1-0 lead slip as the Blues scored twice in the last 10 minutes to win.

The Owls travel to Ewood Park to face a Rovers side sitting fifth from bottom.

“We haven’t won yet so it would be a great time to get that monkey off our back,” said Loovens. “We want to start winning sooner rather than later.

“Blackburn have picked up some decent results lately so we have to make sure we don’t come away with anything less than three points.

“We have to be wary of them. I have said it many times, you can’t take any game lightly in this league and I can assure you we won’t take them lightly.”

In contrast to their away form, the Owls have won three successive games at home, despite conceding first in each game.

It took a double from Kieran Lee to beat Nottingham Forest on Saturday, and Dutchman Loovens – a second-half substitute for Tom Lees (virus) – believes that demonstrates the fighting spirit.

“We know if we do concede first that we have the quality in the team to put it right. We left it late again, but we got over the line against Forest.

“The spirit in the team has always been good. The main thing is you just want people to work for each other and we did that.

“Sometimes you play good, sometimes you play bad, but you have to always work for each other and we did that really well against Forest.”

Loovens, 33, has been eased back into the team after surgery over the summer. He is on standby to partner Sam Hutchinson if Lees fails to recover from illness.

“The manager decides who plays. When he needs me, I will be there for him.”

Last six games: Blackburn LDLWLW, Wednesday LDWWLW.

Referee: S Hooper (Wiltshire).

Last time: Blackburn 2 Sheffield Wednesday 2; November 28, 2015; Championship.