Video: Sheffield Wednesday's strength in depth ensures the '˜fear factor' '“ Ross Wallace

ROSS WALLACE has revealed one of the prime motivators for Sheffield Wednesday's Championship reawakening '“ fear.
WHAT A FEELING: Ross Wallace celebrates with Fernando Forestieri after netting for the Owls against Blackburn Rovers. Picture: Steve Ellis.WHAT A FEELING: Ross Wallace celebrates with Fernando Forestieri after netting for the Owls against Blackburn Rovers. Picture: Steve Ellis.
WHAT A FEELING: Ross Wallace celebrates with Fernando Forestieri after netting for the Owls against Blackburn Rovers. Picture: Steve Ellis.

The Owls may comfortably reside in the play-off positions with six games to go following a quantum leap of a campaign which currently sees them hold a decidedly healthy five-point buffer over seventh-placed Cardiff City, but Wallace says that taking it easy is just not an option.

Not with a head coach at the helm in the shape of Carlos Carvalhal, who is somewhat proactive in his decision making if things are not to his liking – although it helps when you are blessed with plentiful options in terms of the players at your disposal.

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It is no coincidence that the teams with the strongest squads, including Wednesday, are all jostling for prizes at the business end of the Championship.

WHAT A FEELING: Ross Wallace celebrates with Fernando Forestieri after netting for the Owls against Blackburn Rovers. Picture: Steve Ellis.WHAT A FEELING: Ross Wallace celebrates with Fernando Forestieri after netting for the Owls against Blackburn Rovers. Picture: Steve Ellis.
WHAT A FEELING: Ross Wallace celebrates with Fernando Forestieri after netting for the Owls against Blackburn Rovers. Picture: Steve Ellis.

Players who have cost millions in their careers including the likes of Aiden McGeady, David Nugent, Abel Hernandez and Darren Bent found themselves on the bench at their respective clubs ahead of the midweek action, along with several seven-figure signings made this season – such as Jacob Butterfield, James Tarkowski and Jamie Murphy.

It is indicative of the frenzied competition at the division’s top end and why a slackening off in standards is a dangerous game.

Mindful of that factor, Wallace – who scored the Owls’ pivotal second goal and saw his cross diverted in off Blackburn defender Adam Henley for his side’s equaliser in Tuesday’s 2-1 triumph – said: “We have got a good squad of players and we have guys sitting on the bench who are not getting a sniff at the minute who could easily come in and play in this team.

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“To be fair, the manager is not scared to change it either.

WHAT A FEELING: Ross Wallace celebrates with Fernando Forestieri after netting for the Owls against Blackburn Rovers. Picture: Steve Ellis.WHAT A FEELING: Ross Wallace celebrates with Fernando Forestieri after netting for the Owls against Blackburn Rovers. Picture: Steve Ellis.
WHAT A FEELING: Ross Wallace celebrates with Fernando Forestieri after netting for the Owls against Blackburn Rovers. Picture: Steve Ellis.

“If you are not playing well, even at half-time – he will take you off if you are not at it.

“It is as simple as that.

“It keeps everyone on their toes and we have good players who can come in and take your position if you are not at the races. It is good for the squad and club.

“Everyone wants to do well for the club and if we keep winning games, we get the rewards at the end of the season.

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“Everyone does with promotion and financially and whatever so it is important we all stick together and push in the right direction.”

Wednesday’s strength in depth is shown by the fact that the recent absence of midfield talisman Barry Bannan due to a three-match suspension has been assuaged by the form of his replacement Alex Lopez – with the Owls not looking bereft due to the the Scot’s absence.

Other squad players such as Vincent Sasso, who came on and impressed after captain Glenn Loovens’s early exit through injury on Tuesday, have also stepped up to the plate, with several others, most notably Marco Matias, waiting in the wings for the call when needed.

With Bannan now back in the fray ahead of the weekend trip to Bristol City, Carvalhal is afforded one particular headache of the right variety, while mindful he has other presentable options across the park if required – something which will be the envy of many Championship rivals.

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Wallace added: “We have boys who can come in and easily play in this team. It is up to the manager.

“The manager has a headache; whether he sticks with the same team or changes it and brings people back in it.

“They are problems he has to deal with.

“We lost Baz (Bannan) for three games and were disappointed with that, but Alex has slotted in for three games and it is like he has been there all season. He has been fantastic.

“He has that technique where he can just pick a pass and he has a great range of passing and has been outstanding.

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“Hutch (Sam Hutchinson) has been ill for the past few weeks and he will be coming back with a full weeks’ training in him and Baz has been in the changing rooms and is dying to get back involved in the mix. It is good competition for places.

“Marco also had a pretty bad groin injury and is looking sharp in training and looking for a way back in as well, as is Lewis McGugan. Jose Semedo trains like an animal every day and doesn’t slacken off, even though he is not playing or in the squad.

“He trains hard and is so professional.”

For all their squad strength, a little bit of fortune can also go a long way at this stage of the season, with the Owls receiving a double dose on Tuesday, thanks to a deflected leveller and the dismissal of Rovers’ Craig Conway.

But Wallace says that the Owls should be making no apologies for that, given previous events in the past few months.

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He said: “You need those pieces of luck over the course of the season and we have had some unfortunate ones against us.

“We have not had the rub of the green with sending offs such as Fernando (Forestieri) and Barry Bannan’s as well, which was very harsh.”