Owls and Reds have no fear for survival trips

That is the view of former Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Seyi Olofinjana, who has experienced the unique atmosphere of the Den and believes Wednesday must steel themselves for a frosty reception.

It is one of two pivotal games in the Championship for Yorkshire clubs as Barnsley also aim to take advantage of their game in hand on their fellow Championship strugglers.

David Flitcroft’s Reds face an even more daunting test than the Owls as they visit leaders Cardiff City.

Wednesday loanee Olofinjana, 32, has impressed in his opening two games in an Owls shirt and is hoping to make it a hat-trick of wins tonight.

The Lions, who have an FA Cup semi-final on the horizon this weekend, stand just two points ahead of a resurgent Wednesday, who have taken seven points from their last three games.

“Every game is a Cup final for us right now,” said Nigerian international Olofinjana, whose Owls side are embarking on three successive away games in eight days.

“Regardless of what we get against Millwall, it’s going to be the same against Leeds (on Saturday), and again against Blackpool (next Tuesday). We must keep battling until the end.

“The league is so tight, if you lose a game you can be right back down there. Win a game and you are flying, so the more points you can get the better.

“I have played at Millwall many times, it’s a little bit different.

“But it’s a game of football and we are fighting for our lives right now. It’s a game of football, it’s not about the fans, it’s about the players on the pitch.

“It’s very hostile and we will have to contend with that to start with. I think the boys are brave enough to do that.”

Hull midfielder Olofinjana, whose contract at the KC Stadium expires this summer, is open to signing a permanent deal at Hillsborough and has been impressed with his new club, both on and off the field.

“I must commend the fans. You don’t find many fans at a club this big, that support the team like they do,” said Olofinjana, after over 24,000 turned up at Hillsborough to watch their relegation ‘six-pointer’ with Blackburn.

“We are fighting to stay in the League. Imagine what it will be like when we are fighting to finish second or third.

“I have been involved in three games and we have picked up seven points.

“I still think it will be a battle, just because we have done well in the last three games doesn’t make it any easier. Every game will be vital until the end of the season and we know that.”

Asked if he would like to make his loan move permanent in the summer, he replied: “Without a shadow of a doubt, definitely. Only time will tell.

“I have not played a lot of games this season, reserve games to keep ticking over, but that’s nothing compared to the real stuff.

“I am settling in, but, unfortunately, I haven’t got that many games and this team needs everybody. I have trained very hard, I am a good trainer, and I look after myself.”

Dave Jones, who would be interested in a summer move for Olofinjana, has more pressing concerns as the Owls battle to beat the drop.

Form-wise since the turn of the year the Owls have been among the strongest in the division, but they may still need two more wins to be sure of Championship football next season.

“We are four points off 10th spot which is crazy but everybody is in the same boat,” he said.

“It is going to take probably 56 points and that will be our safety margin. We need a lot more and we are trying to get as many points on the board as possible.

“Until it is mathematically impossible for anybody to catch us, we have to keep going.

“You can’t take your foot off the gas in this division. It’s impossible. It will be a record total. Everybody will be looking at 56, maybe 57.”

Barnsley have been equally as impressive as Wednesday since the turn of the year, with the goalless draw at Crystal Palace on Saturday the latest in an admirable line of good results away at promotion challengers.

Any form of a positive result tonight at a Cardiff team that is homing in on the title would top the lot, not that Flitcroft sees the Bluebirds as any different to anyone else they have stared down recently.

“I’m not scared of Cardiff and I don’t expect my players to be,” said Flitcroft, who has overseen eight League wins since succeeding Keith Hill. “When you go away from home, you have to fight and that’s what we’ll do.

“I don’t see it as a game in hand, it’s just another opportunity to pick up points and pull away from the bottom three.

“We have got the togetherness in the squad, and the spirit, to do that.

“We are in good form at the minute.

“We have drawn a lot of confidence out of Saturday’s result where we stifled a very good attacking team.

“We can out-football teams, we can out-fight them, and we have shown a lot of courage.

“It’s now a case of continuing that momentum.”

Millwall v Sheffield Wednesday

Last six games: Millwall DWWWDD Sheffield Wednesday LWLWDW.

Referee: P Gibbs (W Midlands).

Last time: Millwall 0 Sheffield Wednesday 1, February 4 2006, Championship.

Cardiff City v Barnsley

Last six games: Cardiff DDWLWD; Barnsley LWWLWD.

Referee: F Graham (Essex).

Last time: Cardiff 5 Barnsley 3; October 22, 2011; Championship.