‘Old-school’ approach from Tony Pulis works for Sheffield Wednesday star

In the view of the Owls keeper, it is like ‘chalk and cheese.’

Wednesday’s results may not have taken a significant upturn under Pulis yet, but there are clear signs of progress and in terms of the side’s identity.

Pulis may not have sampled a victory in his four matches thus far, but Wednesday have been beaten just once and are showing a stronger jaw and more resolve.

Character was certainly shown in the midweek draw with Reading when the Owls drew strength in adversity after playing for an hour with 10 men and taking a point despite a barrage of pressure from one of the Championship’s early pacesetters.

Wildsmith said: “It is chalk and cheese. He (Pulis) is quite old-school and says it how it is and it is just different. It is just great to be playing under a manager.

“All that matters to players is if we are playing or not. It has been good. He has good ideas and he knows what he wants and I do not think that will ever change as some of the boys will find out.

“He has brought a lot of intensity, especially to the shape work and the structure of how we play and I think that will only stand us in good stead going forward.”

With Keiren Westwood currently sidelined and Cameron Dawson on the periphery, Wildsmith is enjoying his place in the sun and did his cause no harm whatsoever with an impressive performance in midweek.

Given the crowded goalkeeping stable at Hillsborough, competition has gone with the territory for several years and it is a healthy situation, according to Wildsmith.

He added: “The three of us have been used to it for five or six years now. One minute we are in, one minute we are out and it is up to me to try and prove and stake a claim on that jersey.

“I will try and go out and do my best for the team and if that is good enough to keep me in goal, that is great for me. But we all know the situation we are in and that there are a good standard of goalkeepers and only one of us can play.

“Westy is back in now and it is good competitiveness, it is good to have that person (breathing) down your necks and it keeps you on your toes.”

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