Sheffield Wednesday v Wycombe Wanderers – Basement battle gives Owls quick opportunity to recover

Neil Thompson may be playing down tonight’s scheduled Championship game between Sheffield Wednesday and Wycombe Wanderers – but one glance at the league table underscores its importance to the Owls.
Sheffield Wednesday caretaker boss Neil Thompson. Picture: Steve EllisSheffield Wednesday caretaker boss Neil Thompson. Picture: Steve Ellis
Sheffield Wednesday caretaker boss Neil Thompson. Picture: Steve Ellis

Nine points adrift of 23rd, never mind the mind the 12-point gap to safety, the Chairboys look odds-on to make a swift return to League One at the end of the season. But with the situation much tighter for those directly above, it is imperative to take points off Gareth Ainsworth’s side.

Wednesday have already lost at Adams Park and despite what their caretaker manager says, they need to put that right with victory in tonight’s 7pm kick-off. It would lift them out of the relegation zone, albeit Derby County will have a game in hand.

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“It’ll be another tough game, they’re fighting for their lives aren’t they?” said Thompson, who has won his three Hillsborough matches in temporary charge. “Nothing changes, it’s the Championship and there are all sorts of challenges.

Massimo Luongo, right, is a doubt for the encounter with Wycombe due to a thigh injury.  Picture: Steve EllisMassimo Luongo, right, is a doubt for the encounter with Wycombe due to a thigh injury.  Picture: Steve Ellis
Massimo Luongo, right, is a doubt for the encounter with Wycombe due to a thigh injury. Picture: Steve Ellis

“Is it a must-win? We’ll see at the end of the season. We’re aiming to get three points, but obviously they’re down there in the lower reaches of the table and they’re also desperate for the three points.”

Wycombe have only won three Championship matches all season, but Thompson will not be using memories of the defeat his team suffered under Garry Monk’s management as motivation – not when they have plenty already.

“We got beaten 1-0 down there and we absolutely dominated the game – I think we put in something like 30 or 35 crosses into their box and it didn’t happen for us,” he recalled. “Do we owe them anything? No, but we owe ourselves something to recover from Millwall and go get three points.”

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Moses Odubajo (hamstring), Massimo Luongo (thigh) and Joost van Aken (ankle) are doubts this evening, and Dominic Iorfa will not be back from his Achilles injuries. Chey Dunkley and Liam Shaw are close to returning after their injuries.

Last six games: Sheffield Wednesday LWWLLW; Wycombe Wanderers LDLLWL

Referee: J Linnington (Isle of Wight)

Last time: Sheffield Wednesday 2 Wycombe Wanderers 0, May 5, 2012, Championship.

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