Southampton v Sheffield Wednesday: Bothroyd strong enough to deal with critics – Wilkinson

The former England striker, on loan from QPR, has struggled to make an impact at Hillsborough failing to score in his three starts, while top scorer Chris O’Grady warms the substitutes’ bench.

His substitution late on in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at home to Bolton Wanderers – Wednesday’s fourth successive defeat – saw Bothroyd jeered off the field by a section of fans in the 26,000-plus crowd.

And the striker was criticised online later that evening by unhappy fans, who feel his form does not warrant a starting berth. Bothroyd retaliated, claiming he was being made the scapegoat.

Owls manager Dave Jones will talk with Bothroyd about his outburst, according to Jones’s assistant Paul Wilkinson, who believes the striker will win over his doubters. “I don’t know what Jay said, but Dave (Jones) will sort that out,” he said.

“It’s difficult. Jay has not had a pre-season as such at QPR, he’s come in and there is expectancy. He comes from the Premier League and people expect you to light the world up, but it’s going to take time.

“It will take time, but he is big enough and strong enough to deal with the fact one or two people may have got on his back.

“I have been in football long enough, players will get booed sometimes. The important thing is to respond in the right way. All fans at any team that are in a run like we are are going to vent their frustration at some point at people, or the team. It’s difficult, but we are determined to try and turn it round as quickly as possible.”

Wilkinson hopes that can start tonight when the Owls travel to Premier League side Southampton in the third round of the Capital One Cup.

The Owls beat another top-flight club Fulham in the previous round – keeping their only clean sheet of the campaign so far – and Wilkinson says it will take time for the much-changed Owls to settle down. Of Saturday’s starting XI, only Michail Antonio remained from the side which won promotion in May.

“Nobody wants to go three or four games without getting a point, but the big thing is we are trying to find a formula,” said Wilkinson, the former reserve team coach at Leeds United. “We are determined to try and get it right as quickly as possible.

“We have brought a lot of players in, made a lot of changes and sometimes it does take a bit of time for people to adjust.”

Injured Reda Johnson and Rhys McCabe are ruled out, and Martin Taylor and Ross Barkley cup-tied, as Jones once again contemplates changes against a Saints side he once managed.

“It’s difficult when you go back to your old club, but I’m sure he will get a good reception,” said Wilkinson. “And then he’s got Wolves coming up on Saturday (in the Championship) so he has a double whammy this week.”

Last six games: Southampton LLWLLW, Sheffield Wednesday WWLLLL.

Last time: Southampton 2 Sheffield Wednesday 0; March 19 2011; League One.