Sheffield Wednesday v Accrington Stanley: Owls quickly forget derby woe and switch focus to promotion road ahead

At the weekend, the Owls outplayed the best team in League One. The problem was, they lost, the 2-0 defeat wiping out their run of four straight wins without conceding. To make matters worse, the best team in League One are their local rivals, Rotherham United.

They cannot let the disappointment linger with Accrington Stanley at Hillsborough tonight.

Experienced defender Palmer knew the importance of moving on as soon as he got out of bed the next day.

“Even when you win, as soon as you get in the car to come in the next day, your mind’s on the next game,” he said.

“You don’t spend too much time basking in a win and when you lose it’s important to analyse it the next day to learn and get better but once we’ve done that, we’ll put it to bed and focus on the pre-match meeting for Accrington.

“That’s how (manager Darren Moore) likes to work.

“It was straight back to the training ground for recovery (on Sunday) and to use the facilities there and get right for Wednesday.

“After the game he just said to keep our heads up and that we’d played the top two teams in the league and come out with a lot of the play and a lot of the chances.

“That’s something he’s told us to draw upon and not get too down about.”

Although his options for change are limited with none of the Owls’ 10 injured players expected back tonight, Moore must also assess what a boggy pitch took out of his players.

“It’s a concern,” he said. “We had a downpour on Sunday morning and after the game the pitch didn’t look good. The way we play, the way we got about our game, we need a clean surface.”

Accrington, in fairness, are less dependent on that, but Moore is reluctant to compromise his style.

“I hope not because the way we play is effective and puts the opposition on the back foot,” he said. “There’s a level of understanding from the players of it and we want to keep solidifying that and progressing.”

Meanwhile, owner Dejphon Chansiri has said he expects the transfer embargo which has limited the club to free transfers and loans this season to be lifted for the summer window.

Last six games: Sheffield Wednesday LWWWWL; Accrington Stanley WWLDLD

Referee: R Joyce (Teesside)

Last time: Sheffield Wednesday 5 Accrington Stanley 2, September 10, 1892, Division One.