Now that Sheffield Wednesday is the hunted, it is imperative that they keep their predatory mentality. They can grit their teeth and survive the championship if they maintain their underdog’s scowl. It also doesn’t hurt that up to TEN superstars from the incredible League One promotion from the previous season are still very much active.
Ten players that have, well, turned around an uncomfortable situation (roll call later). If the Owls defeat West Brom at Hillsborough on Saturday, they will be very close to being safe. However, it would still mean that on the last day, something might be needed at Sunderland.
Therefore, this weekend, the risk-reward mindset that has defined Danny Rohl’s incredible comeback must continue. For the second season in a row, S6 puts up an exciting conclusion with the Baggies needing a point to guarantee a play-off position. It feels as like this was always planned this way, so it’s amazing in and of itself that Wednesday got in with such a big scream. However, I don’t think there are many questions about that score as a nerve test.
If there was going to be a “bottle job,” it was undoubtedly last Sunday at Blackburn, when a loss was unthinkable. Only a loss falls into that category, so Saturday isn’t quite there. However, Wednesday must maintain the three-point tunnel vision that has provided them with this fantastic chance. Again, despite the increased caliber of the competition, I fail to see Rohl making any concessions.
Considering the previous drama of the two-goal comeback against similarly placed Norwich, it might be another heart-stopper.
Now let’s go back to this. With players like Barry Bannan, Liam Palmer, Will Vaulks, Marvin Johnson, Josh Windass, Michael Smith, Callum Paterson, Michael Ihiekwe, Dominic Iorfa, and Akin Famewo, the team still has the spirit of last year’s play-off miracle. These survivors continue to be prominent and noticeable.
Characters and their significance are often discussed. They demonstrated it back then, and they are doing so now. The fact that this organization has evolved from a year of complete chaos, which might culminate in more unrest of the appropriate kind, cannot be a coincidence.