Saturday 31 August 2013

SkyBet Championship: Middlesbrough FC

Middlesbrough FC v Sheffield Wednesday.
 Ground: The Riverside, Middlesbrough 
 Attendance: 15,964 (2,255 Owls)

As kick-off approached The Owls announced the emergency loan signing of Jordan Spence from Premiership side West Ham United - and the youngster goes straight into the side as the injured Lewis Buxton misses out. Another surprise for the away side was the lack of a striker in the starting line-up, instead Michail Antonio and Jermaine Johnson would be looking to speed past the Boro' defence from advanced positions in a line-up reminiscent of the successful one vs Hull City last season. The home side will look for their first win at home this season and look to build on their last two matches - both draws in what would be only their fourth league win at the Riverside in 2013. Wednesday haven't won here since 1991, could they change that?

Saturday 24 August 2013

SkyBet Championship: Millwall FC

Dave Jones welcomes Steve Lomas.
Ground: Hillsborough, Sheffield
Attendance: 20,009

The laughable talking point in the build up to this game was the Millwall kit-man forgetting his job role and not bringing the Lions' away kit to Hillsborough. Instead the players were to play for at least the first 45 minutes wearing their hosts away kit of last season. The serious talking point in the build up however was of the poor start the two teams have made to the season, with Wednesdays solitary point earned at Leeds their only on the board whilst Millwall themselves have zero points and more worryingly for the London club, zero goals. Both clubs would see this match as winnable and if the Owls can match what they did when Millwall last visited Hillsborough, the start to the season will have definitely improved.

Saturday 17 August 2013

SkyBet Championship: Leeds United


SWFC's keeper Chris Kirkland.
Ground: Elland Road, Leeds
Attendance: 23,766

An ideal 57th birthday for Wednesday manager Dave Jones would be for his team to pick up their first point/s of the season. That would be easier said than done however as rivals Leeds United, unbeaten so far this season, stand in their way. A fiery atmosphere would no doubt ensue as this Yorkshire derby has bad blood between the fans but a minutes applause was well observed for the deceased Leeds fans over the past 12 months before kick-off.

Saturday 10 August 2013

SkyBet Championship: Burnley FC

Sheffield Wednesday host Burnley.
Ground: Hillsborough, Sheffield.
Attendance: 22,282

Championship football returns to Hillsborough in the form of a visit from the 130 year old Clarets, Burnley. With Sean Dyche at the helm the Clarets earned a 1-1 draw (click link to see the report) in their opening league fixture, before thrashing York City 0-4 in the Capital One Cup in midweek. The departure of Charlie Austin to QPR dampened the positive vibes at Turf Moor and hopes turned to Sam Vokes to lead the line and step up to fill the void. Wednesday, still missing Reda Johnson and Lewis Buxton through injury, keep new signing Rafael Floro and academy graduate Liam Palmer in the full-back spots. A noticeable omission from the home team is Gary Madine, not even making the substitutes bench.


Wednesday 7 August 2013

Capital One Cup: Rotherham United

Rotherham manager Steve Evans.
Ground: New York Stadium, Rotherham
Attendance: 11,433

The first round of the Capital One Cup serves up a Yorkshire derby at Rotherham Uniteds new stadium, the New York Stadium. The recently promoted Millers have strengthened in the summer with signings such as the 6 month loan of Matt Tubbs, Michael Tidser from Morton and former Fulham full-back Rob Milsom joining the League One side. Both teams were buoyed by the performance in their opening league fixtures with the Millers coming from 1-3 down to draw 3-3 with Crewe whilst Wednesday were somewhat unfortunate to lose 2-1 to QPR.

Saturday 3 August 2013

SkyBet Championship: Queens Park Rangers

QPR v Sheffield Wednesday, Nuhiu
Ground: Loftus Road, London
Attendance: 

With pre-season preperations now in the past, promotion favourites QPR start their Championship campaign against Sheffield Wednesday who finished last season in good form. Harry Redknapp has kept the nucleus of his squad together and the players at his disposal should see an immediate return to the Premier League. Dave Jones has added pace to his ranks in the form of 2 new permanent signings; Jacques Maghoma and Jeremy Helan - along with the reliable Kamil Zayatte in central defence. A new target man receives his international clearance along with Zayatte hours before the big kick off, Atdhe Nuhiu - the former Rapid Vienna player turning down Premiership clubs to sign and hoping to hit the ground running against a strong QPR side.