Jordan Rhodes relishing derbies as Sheffield Wednesday aim to get back on track

Make no mistake, Barnsley on Saturday and then Rotherham United three days later will be desperate to inflict further damage on the Owls’ promotion bid.

Jordan Rhodes, though, is not fazed by the prospect of trips to Oakwell and the New York Stadium.

Instead, the striker, fresh from his 14th international appearance for Scotland, is relishing the opportunity to get Wednesday’s season back on track.

“The two derbies are big games, and both away from home,” said the 27-year-old, who won promotion to the Premier League with Middlesbrough last season. “Having said that, they are all big games at this stage of the season, derbies or otherwise.

“We want to finish in that top six. We have to treat every game like a cup final and then, hopefully, after these final eight games we can have another three to play that can give us a real, good go of getting the big prize.

“We have to turn things round. The harder you work, the luckier you get – I have always believed that philosophy. The key is keeping our heads down, working hard and, hopefully, getting more goals than Barnsley.”

Wednesday’s slump in form – Carlos Carvalhal’s side have taken just four points from a possible 18 – came on the back of a four-game winning run. If anything encapsulates the unpredictable nature of the Championship, then this and Fulham’s own recent attempts to break into the top six surely do so.

The Cottagers, after a surge up the table, signed off before the international break with a draw and defeat from back-to-back home games against Blackburn Rovers and Wolverhampton Wanderers – two results that handed Wednesday a reprieve following their own stumble at home to Reading on March 17.

Now, though, there can be no more slip-ups and Rhodes is confident the Owls will respond in the right manner on Saturday lunchtime against Barnsley.

“Everyone has their own philosophies as to how to get back on track,” he added. “There is no one answer, or otherwise everyone would be playing at the top.

“Football is a game of opinions, isn’t it? We just have to work as hard as we can and stay united as a group. Players, fans and staff alike – we have to keep going.

“We actually did all right against Reading (when beaten 2-0). I would think many would agree with that. It was just a shame we couldn’t get that goal (at 1-0), as come the end of the match there is only one stat that counts.”

Rhodes spent a week away with Scotland and came off the bench in the 1-1 draw with Canada at Easter Road. He could not get on the scoresheet, but Gordon Strachan’s assistant Mark McGhee declared that the Owls striker had impressed.

“His play outside of the box is much improved,” added the Scot.

“The perception has been that Jordan only comes alive in the box and I think it has been our perception, been my perception.

“But, after seeing him recently, against Canada and in training, he looks to me a player that has developed and is doing much, much better.”

Wednesday will be hoping that improvement can be reflected during the club’s run-in as Rhodes looks to add to his tally of three goals since joining on loan in January.

“I am really enjoying my football at the moment,” said the striker. “It would be nice to have more goals, but it is not about me. It is all about Sheffield Wednesday picking up the points. When selected, I will work as hard as I can to do my job as a striker to set up goals or score them.

“The last eight games are cup finals and, hopefully, we can then get another three (in the play-offs) after that. Let’s not panic, for the time being – and let’s look at the bigger picture.”