If Owls play without fear they can stay up – Bullen

The veteran defender is fighting a relegation battle of his own with Scottish Premier League club Falkirk.

Both clubs are one point adrift of safety in their respective divisions.

Five years ago, Bullen was celebrating promotion to the Championship with the Owls after captaining the club to a memorable play-off final victory in Cardiff.

This Saturday, the Owls are heading back to the Welsh capital in the knowledge that anything less than three points against Cardiff City may herald a return to League One.

Bullen wants both his past and present employers to avoid the drop – especially after playing such a key role in getting the Owls back into the Championship in 2005.

Now 39, the Scotsman was back at Hillsborough on Sunday in the role of radio summariser for the Steel City derby and felt the Owls showed the quality that is needed to survive.

Bullen told the Yorkshire Post last night: "I was really impressed with the way Wednesday handled the pressure in Sunday's game and I believe that playing without fear is vital in staying up.

"Everyone knows what is at stake and the last thing Sheffield Wednesday needs is to go back into League One because the financial repercussions will be horrendous.

"But I firmly believe they will survive. They have a good manager in Alan Irvine, and their fate is still in their own hands."

After Saturday's trip to Cardiff – opponents who may opt to rest players having secured play-off qualification – the Owls host nearest rivals Crystal Palace at Hillsborough on the final day of the season.

Both Watford and Scunthorpe United are still in danger of the drop while next-to-bottom Plymouth Argyle were condemned to relegation last night when they lost to Newcastle. Peterborough United were already relegated.

"It is a not a situation for the faint-hearted," said Bullen. "You can never be quite sure what the mentality of some opposition sides is going to be at this stage of the season.

"Cardiff don't need results now but they may still be looking at who to avoid in the play-offs. If West Bromwich Albion are promoted, what will their state of mind be against Palace (next Monday night)?

"At the end of the day, it is down to Wednesday to take care of themselves.They have to make sure they beat Cardiff to put as much pressure as possible on Crystal Palace."

Bullen, who joined the Owls 12 months after their last relegation from the Championship, became a cult hero during a four-year spell at Hillsborough.

He was released by Brian Laws two summers ago and returned north of the border with Falkirk.

Reflecting on Wednesday's inability to challenge for promotion to the Premier League since coming up five years ago, Bullen said: "It is not that surprising really because the financial situation has not changed.

"You get the odd club with a small budget punching above its weight, such as Burnley last season, but it is always going to be a tough ask for a club burdened with a 26m debt.

"The chairman has changed and there is a feel-good factor around the place again so, in many ways, it is ripe for investment. Hopefully, the possibility of the American investment this summer will be good news for the club and enable it to climb that next step up the ladder.

"Sheffield Wednesday is a club that has every right to harbour ambitions of a return to the promised land of the Premier League. But the supporters also have to be realistic. Relegation would be a backwards step and I feel for what everyone is going through there right now."

After the departure of Falkirk manager Eddie May in February this year, Bullen accepted an offer to work alongside new manager Stephen Pressley.

Although there are still four games remaining for Falkirk to safeguard SPL status, one of Bullen's former Wednesday team-mates Steve MacLean stuck the boot in last weekend.

MacLean, who scored 20 goals for the Owls during the 2004-05 season, hit the only goal of the game as Aberdeen inflicted Falkirk's first defeat in six games.