Sheffield Wednesday v Fulham: Owls chief Jones now has an inside track on opponents

That is because one member of their backroom staff, Joseph Simmonds, joined the Owls as their analyst earlier this summer after moving from Craven Cottage.

Simmonds – whose official title is technical analyst and scout – has given manager Dave Jones the lowdown ahead of tonight’s encounter at Hillsborough, with the tie having extra significance for him, given that his father, Barry, is the Cottagers’ chief scout.

Not that the Owls have required much inside information or extra help since Jones’s arrival at S6, with Saturday’s thrilling 3-2 Championship victory over visiting Millwall extending their unbeaten sequence under the former Cardiff City and Wolves manager to 17 games.

Jones said: “Any home tie is good, no matter who you are going to play.

“Fulham are a very, very good side. But If we don’t know what Fulham have got, then nobody will – it just happens that things have fallen that way with Joseph, who worked at Fulham for many years. We’ve pinched their analyst and if he doesn’t know their team, who will?”

Victory tonight over Martin Jol’s side will represent another milestone moment for Jones and the Owls – unbeaten at home since Valentine’s Day.

The Hillsborough chief admires the way Fulham have consolidated in the top flight with the 2012-13 campaign their 12th successive one in the Premiership. In terms of role models, Wednesday could not find a better one to follow.

He added: “Fulham don’t get many wrong (signings) and the reason is they can’t afford to. We look at the way they scout and everything else and they are the clubs you pick things up from.

“Me and Wilko (Paul Wilkinson) have a really good relationship with some of the staff there and with people behind the scenes.

“In the past, we’ve used their training ground when we’ve been going to play teams in London and we know how well organised they are and how prudent they are in what they do in terms of bringing in players. They don’t get many wrong.

“Fulham are a great role model. Because of the funds and the fact they don’t get the massive gates because of the issue with the ground, they have to get it right and be prudent.”

Jones certainly has a solid history in terms of the League Cup, famously taking Stockport – then a third division club – to the last four in a dream 1996-97 season, with County’s team of giant-killers putting the Cheshire town firmly on the footballing map following victories over top-flight sides Southampton, whom he would later manage, West Ham and Blackburn Rovers.

The likes of Alun Armstrong, Paul Jones and boyhood Owls fan Chris Marsden – who later played for the club – were handed exposure on a national stage ahead of big-money moves, with that campaign also seeing the Hatters clinch promotion to the second-tier to crown the club’s best season in their history.

It would be some achievement if Jones’s current Owls crop were to emulate his old side’s league and cup achievements, let alone go one stage further to Wembley, but the League Cup remains one that the scouser has grown to love and not treat lightly.

It is also a trophy that is dear to the hearts of all Wednesdayites, who still have fond memories of John Sheridan’s goal which saw them lift the League Cup at the expense of Manchester United in 1991 – the last time a side from outside the top flight have triumphed in the competition.

Jones said: “It annoys me sometimes that people lessen the cup trophies – especially some of the bigger clubs. If I was the chairman and I’d ploughed loads of money in and sides took the FA Cup and League Cup for granted, I’d be fuming.

“There’s only two or three clubs that are going to win the Premiership and the cup is another route into Europe. I think the Premier clubs are starting to realise the League Cup is a big trophy to win.

“It’s a fantastic competition, but I’d never belittle any, to be fair. Any competition you go into, if you put your name in for it, you should try to win it.

“It’s hard for clubs like Sheffield Wednesday when you have all the big guns from the Premier Legaue trying to win it. But if you get a result against one of the big sides, it’s a fantastic scalp. And it gives you a boost.”

The Owls head into the tie boosted by defender Miguel Llera’s double on Saturday – the Spaniard continuing his exploits from the end of last season which saw him grab four goals in the final six matches.

Jol is expected to rest several first-teamers tonight, with the exile of Liverpool target Clint Dempsey, left, to continue. Philippe Senderos and Jon Arne Riise are missing through injury.

[email protected]

Last six games: Sheff Weds WWDWWW,

Fulham LWLWWL.

Last time: Sheff Weds 1 Fulham 2; January 3, 2009; FA Cup, third round.

Referee: P Tierney (Lancs).