Poll - Burnley v Sheffield Wednesday: Owls aim to follow Clarets blueprint

The buoyant Owls, yet to see their colours lowered in five league and cup games this season, put their unbeaten run on the line this evening against Premier League hosts in the Clarets, where Gray was caretaker-chief for four games in January 2011.

Sean Dyche’s side memorably clinched promotion from the Championship last season despite competing against a host of rivals with far greater resources, in terms of both cash and playing personnel.

Despite being tipped by observers to struggle ahead of the start of the campaign, just as Burnley were before the 2013-14 season, Wednesday are also making many pundits eat their words – with several opposing managers busily bestowing praise on Gray’s outfit.

Middlesbrough head coach 
Aitor Karanka briefly cast aside his anger and disappointment at Saturday’s 3-2 Riverside reverse to predict that the Owls “would be battling for the highest positions” in the Championship come next Spring.

His words followed Derby manager Steve McClaren’s gushing utterances the previous weekend when he said that the Owls were a “far better team” than last season after his Rams side’s fortuitous 0-0 draw at Hillsborough.

While Gray is not getting carried away, despite the Owls’ positive start and eight-point tally – it took them until Ocotber 26 to achieve that total last term – he believes the success of the Clarets is a template his side can use to build their own success.

Head coach Gray, who left his post as first-team coach at Turf Moor in the summer of 2011 after being brought in by ex-Clarets and Owls chief Brian Laws in January 2010, said: “Burnley is a lovely football club. When I look at Burnley now, it is probably a bit of a blueprint for everybody to get to the Premier League.

“They kept it tight at the back and last season, they had goal-socrers in (Sam) Vokes and (Danny) Ings, who got fifty-odd goals between them. Let’s hope Attey (Atdhe Nuhiu), Gary Madine and Stevie May can be those type of players for us as well.

“What Sean Dyche did for them was build on team spirit and bonding. It is similar to ourselves in what we are trying to achieve.”

Gray is keeping his fingers crossed that the Owls can add to their ranks before the summer transfer window closes next Monday, but despite his small squad being tested by a gruelling fixture schedule of seven matches in 21 days, he insists his side cannot wait for the next game to come around.

The 54-year-old believes that the Owls go into tonight’s encounter in East Lancashire, at a venue where the Hillsborough outfit have not been beaten in eight visits since October 2000, with nothing to fear.

His belief is supported by in-form striker Nuhiu, who says rejuvenated Wednesday are relishing the Roses test.

Nuhiu said: “I always believe we can win. For me, to play against a Premier League team is even more motivation.

“I am not scared to play against them. Everyone is looking forward to it. I hope we do well in the league games, but every cup game is a bonus.”

Gray said: “The pleasing thing for us is that we go there and won’t fear them.

“I want to win every game. We want to get through in the cup and at the start of the season, with seven games in 21 days, we want to win as many as we can and go there and progress.

“We are full of confidence and looking forward to the Burnley game and then the Forest game on Sky at our own patch.

“We do not fear anyone; we have had a good start, but won’t get complacent.”

On the search for new blood, he added: “We need to add to the squad and strengthen.

“You want that competition and to be able to look at the bench and think, ‘I can put a wide player or a defender or central midfielder on’. You need that as it is a long old season.

“I think Glenn Loovens is now on four bookings and one away from a suspension and we are going to pick up injuries.

“The one thing I do know is that we are working hard to strengthen.

“But I cannot fault the boys’ effort and commitment and they deserve the plaudits as they are putting the hard work in.

“The team spirit in the camp is fantastic and every one of them is putting a shift in.

“The start has not been a surprise to me. As for other people, I am not too worried about them.”

Gray will run a fitness check on midfielder Sam Hutchinson (back) ahead of the game.

Last six games: Burnley WWWDLL, Sheffield Wednesday LWWDDW.

Referee: G Eltringham (Tyne & Wear).

Last time: Burnley 1 Sheffield Wednesday 1; January 18, 2014; Championship.