Pressman gives Owls relegation warning

After a brief revival under new manager Alan Irvine, the Owls have dropped back into the Championship's bottom three and face a serious threat of relegation to League One.

Seven years ago, Pressman was involved in the club's last descent to the third tier and will be genuinely saddened if the same scenario strikes again.

However, after the shock of last week's 5-0 capitulation against Reading and a fourth defeat in five games, Pressman thinks alarm bells should now be ringing at Hillsborough and has warned about the consequences of the drop.

"No team has a divine right to stay in the Championship and a heavy defeat like that can be a big blow to any side, " he said. "If Sheffield Wednesday are relegated this season a lot of the players will have to be moved on and they may have to become a selling club like Sheffield United were 10 years ago."

Chairman Lee Strafford is keen to secure new investment but Chicago-based company Club 9 Sports are awaiting the outcome of the relegation scrap before making the next major move.

Pressman, who also played for the Owls in the Premier League, believes there is more pressure on his former employers than the majority of other clubs in the fight for survival.

"To play for a club like Sheffield Wednesday, you need to be mentally strong as there is a lot of pressure and expectation, " he said. "There is a rich history and a big fanbase and those supporters demand the best. It was the same when I was there and, if you fall below a certain standard, they will soon let you know about it.

"As long as you are showing commitment, drive, and passion, they will forgive your mistakes, " he added. "But there are major financial constraints at the club and the manager needs to get the best out of the players available."

Pressman, now 42, was kept on by the Owls after relegation to League One in 2003 but a lengthy list of players were culled. He was released 12 months later and joined Leicester City – who visit Hillsborough on Saturday afternoon.

Now the goalkeeping coach at Scunthorpe United, who are just four points above the Owls in the table, Pressman knows that personal futures will be on the line over the next few weeks

"I spent 20 years at Hillsborough and I never intended to leave or walk away, " he reflected. "But when you are relegated, the decision is often taken out of your hands.

"If they say, we no longer need you, there is nothing you can do about it and it can damage an individual's career."

Pressman is convinced that Wednesday's 24m debt remains a major stumbling block to the club's progression

"For Wednesday to move on, that debt has got to be sorted out, and when that happens, there will be no more excuses, " he said.

"If they go down, it won't be easy to bounce back because a lot of clubs in League One have bigger wage budgets than those struggling in the Championship.

"At Scunthorpe, we were relegated two years ago but managed to bounce straight back because we kept our best players and knew what it was all about, " he added.

With 13 games to play, the Owls are in the relegation zone on goal difference but, significantly, have played a game more than the next two clubs Crystal Palace and Queens Park Rangers.

Adding extra spice to this weekend's clash with Leicester City is the return of former captain Nigel Pearson, now manager at the Walkers Stadium.

Pressman played alongside Pearson – who famously captained the Owls to a League Cup final victory over Manchester United at Wembley in 1991.

"I am sure Nigel will enjoy his return to Hillsborough because he was always admired by the supporters for his commitment and the way he led by example, " said Pressman.

The Owls should be boosted by the return from injuries of Darren Purse and winger Jermaine Johnson.