Exclusive:'The fans carry the scars' - Sheffield Wednesday legend Des Walker echoes Henrik Pedersen sentiment
Sheffield Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen’s call for patience has been echoed by an Owls legend
Sheffield Wednesday legend Des Walker has insisted the Owls are still making an “adjustment” following their relegation to League One.
Heading into the first international break, the South Yorkshire club sit second in the third-tier table after four wins, two draws and a defeat.
Recent performances, however, have been somewhat uninspiring and caused a sense of unease to wash across sections of the fanbase.
Des Walker echoes Henrik Pedersen sentiment
Owls boss Henrik Pedersen has called for patience and retired defender Walker - who represented Wednesday with distinction between 1993 and 2001 - also believes time is required.
He told The Yorkshire Post via Power Up Gaming: “They’ve made a lot of changes in the summer and it’s still early in the season. It takes time for every team to gel, and they’re second in the league, so they’re in a great position.
“They’ve drawn a couple at home and, while you want to win your home games, the new players are going to need a few games to get used to the style.
“They’re also getting used to winning. They’ve had a period in their recent history - a bad couple of years - where they haven’t won too many games. When you start winning again, you probably begin to feel a bit of pressure at home. Away from home, they’re away from all that and can just go and play.
“The whole club is making that adjustment, but they’re in a good position and they’ve built a good squad. It just takes a little bit of time.”
‘Good home win’ required
The Hillsborough faithful have endured plenty of torment across recent years and watched their club flounder during the controversy-ridden reign of Dejphon Chansiri as owner.
New owners Arise Capital Partners have put Wednesday back on a more stable footing, but it has not been completely plain-sailing.
Walker believes a “good win at home” could be the antidote for supporter nerves.
He said: “The fans carry the scars and the mistrust because they’ve been through the bad times with the club. Sometimes at home that negativity can translate onto the pitch, and that’s probably what makes the players a touch nervous.
“As soon as they get a good win at home, that will change. I’ve always thought that, especially at home, you have to start games well. If you start the first 10 minutes of both halves positively, the fans are with you and you can go on and claim your rewards.
“If you’re the manager, you want to get them fired up and say ‘listen, we’re not feeling our way into this game. We’re at home. This is our backyard. This is Hillsborough. We’ve come here to win. For the first 10 minutes, let’s see if they can stop us’.
“The other thing you’ve got to factor in is that every team in that division will go to Sheffield Wednesday and treat it like a cup final. They’re playing at a big stadium and against a big club.
“It’s a bit like going to Manchester United - everyone loves going there. So Wednesday have to make their home ground a fortress and somewhere teams don’t enjoy visiting.”