Stoke City v Sheffield Wednesday - Next two games will not define Owls’ season, says Neil Thompson

First comes a trip to a Stoke City without a win in 11 matches, then a visit from a Birmingham City side sucked into the relegation battle by one win in 13.

For an Owls team that has found its form under Thompson, it represents a really good opportunity as they look to scramble out of the Championship relegation zone – but not a season-defining one.

“We have Stoke first and Birmingham on Saturday and that could be described as a six-pointer but you can only get three points and that has to be our aim for every game we play,” said the man who has overseen six wins from nine matches.

“What happens this week will not define our season but the remit is simple, to get as many points as we can between now and the rest of the season.

“What we’ve always wanted to do is drag teams into it but recently other teams have been winning games and we’ve had to be at the top of our form to pick up results and get back into the pack.

“You can’t rely on anyone else dropping points or doing you a favour.

“You expect teams around you to pick up points.”

Sheffield Wednesday might not care too much for the opinion of former Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock, but he knows a thing or too about management and having had Thompson as a young left-back at Scarborough, he is full of admiration for his commonsense approach.

“I think the last time I saw a caretaker in for that length of time it was at one of my schools!” he quipped.

“But Neil’s one of my lads so I talk to him quite a lot. He’s steady and he knows the basics, to be organised and try and use what you’ve got and he’s done that really well.

“It’s like my mate Mick (McCarthy) at Cardiff. You have to play to your players’ strengths, don’t ask them to do anything different – Neil’s not done that, Mick’s not done that and they’ve both had good results.”

Last six games: Stoke City LDDLDD; Sheffield Wednesday WLWWLL

Referee: J Linnington (Isle of Wight)

Last time: Stoke City 3 Sheffield Wednesday 2, December 26, 2019, Championship.

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