Brighton & HA v Sheffield Wednesday: Hard work key to Owls improving fortunes, says Nuhiu

The towering Austrian striker has yet to taste victory in an Owls shirt despite the season being nine games old.

The summer signing, playing in Turkey last season, believes the Owls are due a change in fortune if they can increase their workrate.

Dave Jones’s side were thrashed 4-1 at Birmingham City 10 days ago, but bounced back on Saturday with an improved display against Doncaster Rovers only to lose 1-0.

Wednesday travel to Brighton tonight and 24-year-old Nuhiu, who has netted twice this term, believes they have already shown in patches that they can survive in the Championship.

“It was one of the best games we have played (against Doncaster),” he said. “Against QPR we played very well, in the second half against Burnley, we played very well.

“They are at the top of the league, but against Burnley in the second half we really dominated them.

“I think everybody can beat everybody in the Championship. It’s not that they are so much better than us.

“Sometimes we concede goals too easily, maybe. In front of goal, a little bit of luck is not on our side at the moment.

“We have to try and get our luck back. If we play like we did against Doncaster I am not afraid,” said the Austrian Under-21 striker, who was born in Kosovo.

Nuhiu twice went close to scoring on Saturday. His first chance saw the ball flash the wrong side of Ross Turnbull’s left-hand post, then Rovers captain Rob Jones headed off the line in the second half from Nuhiu’s header.

“Sure, we are disappointed we didn’t get the result, but the way we played, we continued to the last minute. We have to believe in the way we played on Saturday. If we keep on like that the wins will come.

“The chances were there, but the ball didn’t want to go inside.

“We can’t be frustrated. We now have to focus on the next game, not what happened against Doncaster or two weeks ago. We have to work hard, sometimes if you think you are working hard, then you have to work harder.

“A lot of teams win one, then they continue to win several games in a row.

“The league is so tight, everyone can beat everyone. To be honest, I have never seen anything like this before. You win away, you lose at home, it’s new for me.”

Striker Matty Fryatt – who was a substitute against Doncaster – could start alongside Nuhiu tonight after joining on loan from Hull City last Friday.

Jordan Spence has returned to West Ham United following a one-month loan deal, meaning a recall after injury tonight for Lewis Buxton.

The right-back has been sorely missed by the Owls, both in defence and for his attacking contributions down the flank.

Also back in the squad is striker Chris Maguire, after a toe injury, while Joe Mattock has returned to training but will not be rushed back.

Last six games: Brighton WDDDWL, Sheffield Wednesday DDDDLL.

Last time: Brighton 3 Sheffield Wednesday 0; September 14, 2012, Championship.

Referee: K Stroud (Hampshire).