Semedo says Owls intend to replicate form on the road

IT will be snowing in Hell come the time Jose Semedo scores a goal for Sheffield Wednesday.

This may sound like harsh criticism, especially as it comes from his own manager, but an absence of goals has not stopped the Portuguese midfielder becoming an instant hit at Hillsborough.

The Owls are scoring goals from all directions and it was a couple of defenders, Rob Jones and Reda Johnson, who made the difference against Colchester United.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But in Semedo, Megson has found a defensive midfielder worth his weight in gold.

The former Charlton Athletic and Sporting Lisbon player has been described by some as the best in the position for the Owls since the days of Carlton Palmer.

But there are times when he evokes memories of an even classier act, namely the former French international Jean Tigana.

Unbelievably strong on the ball, a tiger in the tackle, and a gifted passer, the Owls have been waiting a long time for a player like Semedo.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Speaking after the Owls had maintained their 100 per cent home record with a seventh consecutive victory, he revealed that he is loving life at Hillsborough.

“This is only my first season but I already feel at home and feel like I am part of this family,” he said. “It is unbelievable and I can’t remember having such a good spirit in any dressing room like we have here now.”

Semedo spent three years at Charlton Athletic before joining the Owls last summer and has also played in Italy’s Serie A for Cagliari and for Portuguese sides Casa Pia and Feirense.

Although delighted with his new team’s start to the season, he says they will take nothing for granted but must try to replicate their home form on the road.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We have not won anything yet and our feet are on the floor,” he said. “We are on a good run at home and we are going to keep working hard week-in, week-out to keep it like that.

“But it is also important to get wins away from home. We have less fans pushing for us when we are away but when we go away on the back of a home win, it gives us extra confidence to get a good result.”

With back-to-back away games against Carlisle United tomorrow night and Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday, the Owls have an immediate opportunity to show how it should be done.

Colchester had arrived at Hillsborough unbeaten in four games after losing 3-0 to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

John Ward’s team made a confident start and should probably have gone ahead after three minutes when striker Ian Henderson failed to get his close-range header on target.

Referee Geoff Eltringham then waved away a strong penalty shout when Semedo appeared to handle under pressure from Andy Bond.

After weathering the early pressure, the Owls gradually began to make inroads into the Colchester defence.

Striker Gary Madine had the ball in the net on 30 minutes but the ‘goal’ was ruled out for a foul by referee Geoff Eltringham.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Video replays suggested that Chris O’Grady may have bundled over a defender when jostling for a long throw at the near post but Megson described the decision as ‘ridiculous.’

Maybe Eltringham had noted the controversial equaliser scored by the Owls in the Steel City derby six days earlier and decided to keep an eye out for pushes at set-pieces.

Madine had been over to the Colchester bench just seconds before the game kicked off to give opposition manager Ward a hug. The pair worked together at Carlisle where Ward played a key role in his development as a striker.

Winger Jermaine Johnson was introduced as a half-time replacement for James O’Connor, who had not enjoyed one of his better afternoons.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Madine struck the crossbar as the Owls picked up where they had left off.

The pressure finally told when captain Jones broke the deadlock.

Goalkeeper Ben Williams failed to hold a stinging drive from Madine and Jones, still making his way back from a free-kick, drilled home the loose ball.

Once ahead, a second Owls goal was never too far away and it duly arrived when Madine knocked down a free-kick from Chris Lines and Reda Johnson converted from close range.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Striker O’Grady failed to get on the scoresheet but his hard-working performance was still hugely impressive.

Jermaine Johnson should have scored a third goal for the Owls but somehow shot wide after seizing on a mix-up in the Colchester area.

With three points all but secured, Megson took the opportunity to give striker Ryan Lowe a run-out in the closing stages.

Lowe’s progress has been hampered by ankle trouble since his move from Bury nearly two months ago but his return to action will only be another positive for the Owls.