Owls show they have the stamina to go full distance in marathon

Pushed to the limit by his late father Peter, Coe built reservoirs of stamina and resolve on those tough gradients and crucially knew when to kick for home.

Similar qualities are currently serving Sheffield Wednesday well in their own Championship race.

The climbs have been steep and arduous at times and there are several serious hills to negotiate yet. But endurance levels are strong and there is still gas in the tank.

The season is a marathon as head coach Carlos Carvalhal has been quick to point out on more than one occasion this term and Wednesday are clearly intent on conserving their best until last.

While bouquets may have been afforded Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town and Leeds United on a more regular basis so far in 2016-17, Carvalhal’s side have the look of stayers.

On Saturday, they moved above Town and Leeds in the table for the first time this season.

As has been their wont in 2016-17, Wednesday were not magnificent or free-flowing for the duration, but they were unrelenting and persistent and held their nerve and shared the load.

Those with long enough memories will be reminded of Howard Wilkinson’s promotion class of 1983-84.

Wednesday’s latest victory was notable in several respects. It secured the Owls a fifth successive league win, a first for Carvalhal in his tenure, and you have to go to back to April, 2007 for the last occasion that happened.

You have also to go back a year earlier for the previous time that the Owls had beaten Derby, all of 17 meetings ago. It is an exquisite time of year to break unwanted records.

In a squad that appears brimful of savvy, the Owls were indebted to some old heads. Not just goalscorers Steven Fletcher and Gary Hooper, who displayed their nous and predatory qualities in tandem once again to rescue the hosts after Derby went in front, but also the likes of Kieren Westwood and Glenn Loovens.

It was Westwood who stayed strong to make a key late save to prevent Chris Baird from firing an equaliser, and it had been Loovens who was well stationed to clear off the line earlier and prevent Will Hughes from doubling the Rams’ lead at a critical juncture.

They are the sort of contributions that you need to get over the line at the business end.

On another key win and afternoon, Fletcher, who moved into double figures for the season after his 54th-minute leveller – his fourth goal in four games – said: “It was a great win. It was obviously a bit nervous at the start and they went 1-0 up. But we knew if we kept doing what we were doing, we would get the goals.

“We have got some momentum just now and are playing good football and scoring goals.

“We do know that we can always get a goal. We also have quite a lot of people back fit now after having had a lot of injuries midway through the season.

“When you see the players who have not even made the bench, they are still working hard in training and they are all upbeat, which is a good thing. The gaffer can obviously pick and choose who he wants to put in the squad and it is a massive thing in not having a limited squad.

“We also have a lot of experienced players in the team. When the young lads see it is tense, they can see the experienced players telling them to calm themselves down and get on with the game.”

The Owls had the better of a low-key first half, with the sight of Kieran Lee back in harness being the most pleasing aspect.

The appearance of Darren Bent nodding the Rams ahead early in the second half, moments after Westwood had denied the veteran, was rather less edifying.

It had the potential for one of those long, angst-ridden late-season days that can be painful, but Wednesday found a way back.

Fletcher went close to an equaliser when his fine header clipped the bar from Daniel Pudil’s cross before a big moment saw Loovens save the day after Hughes waltzed clear.

It proved fateful with Fletcher restoring parity by heading home after Hooper did well to nod Ross Wallace’s centre across goal.

Hooper soon turned scorer, coolly steering the loose ball home after Scott Carson dealt unconvincingly with Adam Reach’s cross.

Westwood stayed strong at the climax and the Owls were not to be moved.

Sheffield Wednesday: Westwood; Hunt, Lees, Loovens, Pudil; Wallace, Lee (Rhodes 56), Bannan, Reach; Hooper (Semedo 77), Fletcher (Forestieri 81). Unused substitutes: Wildsmith, McManaman, Sasso, Nuhiu.

Derby County: Carson; Christie, Keogh, Pearce, Olsson (Baird 9); Russell, Hughes (Ince 74), Johnson, Anya; Vydra, Bent (Nugent 61). Unused substitutes: Mitchell, Bryson, Butterfield, Camara.

Referee: P Tierney (Lancashire).