O’Grady up for the challenge of rising to new level

The 26-year-old striker has spent most of his career in the lower leagues, plying his trade with the likes of Rotherham United, Oldham Athletic and Rochdale.

After helping the Owls clinch promotion to the second tier of English football last season there was speculation O’Grady could be shipped out over the summer.

Manager Dave Jones has brought in Barcelona reserve striker Rodri, Chris Maguire and former England striker Jay Bothroyd – the latter on transfer deadline day – to bolster his attack, alongside last season’s leading scorer Gary Madine.

But O’Grady has shown an appetite for the battle and after scoring three goals in five games, the Owls know victory over Brighton tonight would see them top the Championship table.

O’Grady – who was linked in the summer with a move to Barnsley to be reunited with his former Rochdale manager Keith Hill – said he was never tempted to walk away from his chance to play in the Championship.

“Wednesday is the type of club you want to play for,” he said. “I had slightly unfinished business.

“I came here a year ago and the objective was to try and get into the Championship. You don’t want to just cut it off then and go back to where you came from; you want to follow things through.

“Now, I am really enjoying it.

“I’m pretty happy with my start to the season. I’m hungry and want to carry it on, not rest on my laurels. It’s been a decent start for myself and the team, but we want to build on that.

“Being top of the table is where we want to be; it is a slight advantage playing on Friday night and getting ahead of teams who play Saturday.

“We want to be up there and stay there, rather than be down the table and having to play catch-up. So hopefully we can get the win at Brighton and do that.”

On competition for places at Hillsborough, O’Grady insists it can only be healthy for the team, with some of the Owls’ squad enjoying a team-bonding trip to Doncaster races this week on their day off from training.

“I try to put a positive spin (on competition for places up front). I want to be playing first of all, then perform and keep my place, but competition is only a good thing. If others are not performing, you have to wait for your chance, take it and don’t look back.

“We get on well, and that’s important. I have been in teams where there has been an unhealthy rivalry where people are wanting others not to do well.

“The key is getting behind your team-mates, but if they don’t perform then you have to try and force your way in. Competition is only a good thing.

“You are not sure what to expect coming from League One, and personally speaking being in League One for so long, you just want to fit in first, then raise your level to be on par with other Championship teams, then surpass that.

“I have been pleasantly surprised with how well we have done so far and just hope we can keep it up.

“Usually teams coming up from the league below find it tough because of the gulf that is there.”

Tonight, Wednesday face a Brighton side who have invested heavily in the likes of striker Craig Mackail-Smith and former England left-back Wayne Bridge.

After the free-scoring Owls lost their unbeaten start to the season last time out at Crystal Palace, O’Grady – who started his career at Leicester City – is eager for them to return to winning ways and help plug a defence which has conceded 10 goals in their first five Championship outings.

“Brighton are very good, and it will be a challenge going down there,” he said. “We just have to look to build on what we have started this season.

“We have one slight blip but if you look at the bigger picture we have been consistent and want to carry that on.

“We have identified where the bulk of the goals are coming from and it’s basically crosses, so we have been focusing on keeping crosses out firstly, then defending them when they do come in.

“Everyone has to take responsibility. As a striker you don’t want to allow the defender to get the ball out comfortably to the wings. It’s all through the team really, and if we can put that right it will mean we concede a lot less goals.

“Ever since the manager came in we have been scoring freely. It’s the freedom and confidence to get the first goal, and generally that’s happened. It didn’t work out like that last time at Palace, but we aim to put that right at Brighton.”

New signings Bothroyd and centre-half Martin Taylor are in contention to start tonight, but Jones will run fitness checks on defensive trio Reda Johnson, Lewis Buxton and Anthony Gardner.

Last time: Brighton 2 Sheffield Wednesday 0; April 9, 2011; League One.

Last six games: Brighton DLLDWW, Sheffield Wednesday WDWWWL.

Referee: Nigel Miller.