Sheffield Wednesday v Crystal Palace: Strafford calls for positive vibe to be displayed

With no sign of new investment, no permanent manager, and the team struggling to win games, many will opt to stay away from today's tie against Crystal Palace.

The club's Kop will be closed due to lack of demand for tickets and a gate of only 10,000 is on the cards – nearly half the club's average for league games.

Strafford, who has been in talks with potential foreign investors for several months, said: "Through the week of January, we are hoping to conclude the investment process and get a conclusion to the (search for a) long-term manager shortly after.

"We are almost there, the one ingredient left is Wednesdayites stepping up – that means we need big attendances for our up-and-coming games to drive things over the line. I have never seen anything created out of negativity. It is time to invest in pragmatic positivity."