Irvine calls on Owls to ignore takeover saga

Despite there being no sign yet of the money needed to avoid the threat of administration, the Owls are still maintaining a push for promotion from League One.

Irvine, however, is conscious of the fact that other clubs, including Liverpool in the Premier League and Portsmouth in the Championship, have suffered on the field this season against a backdrop of financial uncertainty.

It is now three weeks since Owls chairman Howard Wilkinson declared that a 2m cash injection was being made available to the club 'immediately' by prospective new owners.

But the funds, which would have represented the first payment in a 15m takeover deal led by Kevin Mundie of the Dubai-based Certified Oilfield Rentals, have yet to materialise.

Reflecting on the latest hitch in the club's lengthy search for new investment, Irvine said: "Players shouldn't be affected but I don't know what the corrolation is between teams that find themselves in financial difficulties and their form.

"We all know about Liverpool, Portsmouth and Southampton hitting rocky spells and is that because of problems off the pitch or just a coincidence?

"But as managers, coaches, or players, it is something that you cannot affect – so don't let it affect you."

The Owls have lost five out of their last 10 games in the league yet are still only two points behind Yorkshire neighbours Town who are second in the table.

Victory tonight would not only enable the Owls to leapfrog Town but also boost confidence going into this weekend's potential

FA Cup first-round banana skin at non-league Southport.

"It (the takeover saga) has been going on a lot longer than I have been here as manager so it's not something that I get too concerned about," added Irvine.

"We could have done without the transfer embargo – that would have made life a little bit easier and we wouldn't have had to scratch around as we have done – but otherwise I just have to get on with things.

"I don't get upset or disappointed that it has not happened yet. When it happens, let's see what that means. Until then we have to get on with the job, do it to the best of your ability, and don't look for outside reasons why things are not going exactly the way you want them to."

The Owls are due back in the High Court on November 17 to fight a second winding-up petition lodged by Her Majesty's Revenue and Custom.

The Mundie group still want to complete an investment deal before that date but the Owls are also now in talks with other interested parties.

Huddersfield have no such problems at the moment thanks to the financial support of chairman and lifelong supporter Dean Hoyle.

With Hoyle's backing, Town manager Lee Clark was able to push the boat out in the transfer market this summer – however, his recent acquisition, former Rotherham United and Crystal Palace striker Alan Lee is suspended tonight.

Clark, 38, was still in his first spell as a Newcastle United player when Irvine, now 52, was appointed first-team coach at St James' Park under Kenny Dalglish. The pair will be locking horns for the first time tonight as rival managers.

Irvine said: "Lee has done a very good job at Huddersfield and they just missed out on promotion after getting to the play-offs last year. He has had money to spend but I think he has spent it very well.

"He didn't particularly strike me as someone who would go into management at that time," Irvine added. "But that was because he was still young and it was a bit too early for him to be thinking in those terms.

"But I am not surprised that he has gone on to become a manager because he was an intelligent footballer."

The Owls and the Terriers are Yorkshire's only representatives in League One but are competing together for only the fourth time in 37 seasons.

The two clubs last met five years ago when both games resulted in 1-0 wins to the respective home team.

"We all know that it's not 'the' derby as far as either of the clubs are concerned," said Irvine. "But it's the closest we are going to get to one this season and there will be a good crowd and a good atmosphere."

Captain Darren Purse is available again after suspension for the Owls but full-back Jon Otsemebor is still ruled out serving a three-game ban. Midfielder Tommy Miller is a slight doubt with a thigh strain.

Irvine may be tempted to unleash winger Jermaine Johnson, who has made two appearances as substitute since recovering from a knee injury suffered in pre-season.

The former Bradford City player had been a contender to start the club's previous home game against Bournemouth 10 days ago but instead flew to America to address 'personal issues'.

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Town striker keeping it in

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