Sheffield Wednesday v Plymouth Argyle: Dave Challinor wants more than silver lining from first real Owls test

When the 51-year-old agreed to become Sheffield Wednesday’s next manager, it was not for nights like last Sunday, when his team went out of the FA Cup at Oldham Athletic in the first round's graveyard slot, suited only to the television companies.

And his maiden game at Hillsborough was a first-team game in little more than name only.

He watched a team containing at best two or three players who will feature on Saturday lose 4-0 to another League Two side, Accrington Stanley, knowing they were through to the last 32 of the Football League Trophy regardless. Only 5,472 die-hards were there.

But Saturday is the real deal.

Plymouth Argyle, genuine promotion rivals under Bradfordian Tom Cleverley are in town.

At the best of times, when Hi Ho Silver Lining belts out, clapped and sung along to by a crowd of 30,000, it makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. When you are experiencing it for the first time as Sheffield Wednesday manager, it must be doubly special.

"I can't wait," says Challinor, whose managerial apprenticeship began in the footballing backwaters of Colwyn Bay and Fylde before progressing to the more established Hartlepool United and Stockport County.

"Even the anthem at the start of the game with, I'm not sure how many were in there on Wednesday but it's still a big noise from behind you (the main stand was the only home section open) with a less than half-empty stadium.

"To be able to experience and witness that at the weekend is something I'm looking forward to.

"It's special, I think, when you go to many football grounds and there's the songs that are sung at the start of games, it provides a special atmosphere.

"For me to be stood there in the home dugout and it be sung by our supporters to our team, makes it that more special.

"It’s something I'm really looking forward to. "

With that comes responsibilities, as Challinor is aware.

Defeat last Sunday was mildly embarrassing, but quickly got over. The midweek loss will barely have registered with some, not at all with others.

But even though history is against him – the Owls have always needed at least a second season to get out of the third tier – Challinor is expected to win promotion from League One this season, so sentiment will quickly turn to anger if his side do not play a lot better than in his first two matches.

"What happens on the pitch after the singing of Hi Ho Silver Lining is going to be imperative," stresses the new manager.

"Straight away, the focus will be on what the game looks like and hopefully putting in a performance that can build momentum and get a run going.

"The challenge that (managing a "big club") brings is something that, for me, personally, was the next thing I need to do for myself.

"The opportunity to come here and be part of something and build something, being part of it, the fanbase, is a great opportunity and one I'm desperate to take."

Even at 3pm on Saturday, it will not be the full-strength Dave Challinor Sheffield Wednesday, with the injury list running into double figures in midweek. Max Lowe, ruled out for four to six weeks with another hamstring problem, is the latest addition.

"We're hoping that Lummers (goalkeeper Joe Lumley) will be back with us really soon, possibly at the weekend," said Challinor that night. "He's done some training with us this week and has ticked off most things.

"He'd be really important because of the experience and the level that he's played at.

"But if that's not the case, Connal (Trueman)'s an able deputy and I'm sure will do a really good job for us.

"Coops (Liam Cooper) trained this week, Billy (Mitchell) and Louie Barry similarly. Th weekend probably comes too soon for Ali (Al-Hamadi). The others, we've got a decision to make.

"It's a massively important game and we want them back. We're just going to make sure we get them back and we keep them back. It can't be a cycle of one comes back, one goes out, one comes back because we never get any stronger."

There could be a change from the back three of the first two matches to accommodate players.

"Potentially," says Challinor. "We'll look at all things in terms of how systems work, how you build and what you do in possession is different to what you do out of possession.

"We need to deal with the threats we're going to be posed. We know what Plymouth will come with.

"They'll be direct, they're aggressive at the top end of the pitch. They want to run behind, they'll put crosses in the box.

"We're going to have to stop crosses. We're going to have to defend our box, but we need to also influence them by getting our players in the right areas of the pitch in order to cause them problems.

"So there'll be a little bit of to-ing and fro-ing, but we'll do whatever we feel gives us the best chance of winning the game."