Sheffield Wednesday v Crewe Alexandra: Team ethic peaking at just right time for Owls, says Marvin Johnson

HARDLY surprisingly given they started the season with 14 new signings, Marvin Johnson believes Sheffield Wednesday have felt much more like a team as the campaign has gone on.
By Stuart Rayner
Published 19th Apr 2022, 06:45 BST
Updated 19th Apr 2022, 09:03 BST

The Owls started Easter brilliantly, racing into a 3-0 lead at in-form Milton Keynes Dons, and clinging on for an important 3-2 victory. Now they hope to build on it at home to Crewe Alexandra.

They dropped out of the play-off places yesterday but results were favourable so victory tonight will put them fourth.

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As the Railwaymen are bottom of League One and already relegated it should be a simple assignment, but wing-back Johnson is well aware the division is seldom that clear-cut. As soon as relegation was confirmed, Crewe won their next match.

Sheffield Wednesday's players - seen celebrating during the win over MK Dons - have developed their team unity steadily throughout the 2021-22 League One campaign. Picture: Joe Giddens/PASheffield Wednesday's players - seen celebrating during the win over MK Dons - have developed their team unity steadily throughout the 2021-22 League One campaign. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA
Sheffield Wednesday's players - seen celebrating during the win over MK Dons - have developed their team unity steadily throughout the 2021-22 League One campaign. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA

“In this league there’s a lot of twists and turns and a lot of the results you think other teams should get, they don’t get them, so we’ve just got to focus on ourselves and take it one game at a time,” said the former Middlesbrough player. “We’ve just got to focus on trying to win every game.”

Saturday’s win at Stadium MK puts the Owls in a much better frame of mind, though, and this evening they are back at Hillsborough, where they have only lost twice in the league this season.

Lurking in mid-table for much of the first half of the campaign, the Owls have come on strong since January. Johnson says they feel a much more cohesive unit now.

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“Over the past couple of months we’ve felt more like a team with the togetherness we’ve got and we’ve had the full backing of the fans,” said Johnson after consecutive away games watched by over 10,000 Wednesday supporters.

POSITIVE VIBES: Sheffield Wednesday's Marvin Johnson Picture: Steve EllisPOSITIVE VIBES: Sheffield Wednesday's Marvin Johnson Picture: Steve Ellis
POSITIVE VIBES: Sheffield Wednesday's Marvin Johnson Picture: Steve Ellis

“We’ve drawn games we should have won, sometimes in the first half, but as long as we don’t dwell on those games too much, we’ll be fine.”

Centre-back Harlee Dean is the latest in a long list of injury concerns this season, forced off in Milton Keynes by a tight calf. Neither Sam Hutchinson nor Dominic Iorfa are expected back from muscle problems so Chey Dunkley is likely to replace him.

The hope is Massimo Luongo might return from a chest infection. If not, Dennis Adeniran is a midfield option.

Last six games: Sheffield Wednesday WDWWDD; Crewe Alexandra WLLLLL

Referee: C Breakspear (Surrey)

Last time: Sheffield Wednesday 3 Crewe Alexandra 0, January 2, 2006, Championship

Related topics:HillsboroughChey DunkleyMiddlesbroughStadium MK

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