#SWFC Half-Time Report

With the Boxing Day fixtures now behind us we are half-way through the 2013/14 season and with Sheffield Wednesday still languishing in the relegation zone, the second half to the season needs to be a vast improvement on the first half. Ending 2013 two points adrift of safety and 21st placed Doncaster Rovers, manager-less, over reliant on loan signings and an owner reluctant to open the chequebook - it seems that Wednesday will be glad to see the back of the year and start afresh in the new year.

SkyBet Championship: Barnsley FC

Oakwell Stadium, Barnsley.

Ground: Oakwell, Barnsley
Attendance: 13,268

This South Yorkshire derby comes at a time with both teams languishing in the early season relegation zone. Win-less Wednesday travel to their neighbours on the back of a 1-1 draw against Bolton Wanderers whilst The Tykes look for back-to-back wins following their impressive 3-2 win against Middlesbrough. With the suspension of Jose Semedo, Seyi Olofinjana steps in to make his debut after signing a short-term contract with the Owls.

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.

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.

nPower Championship: Barnsley FC

The South Yorkshire Derby between Sheffield Wednesday and local rivals Barnsley FC comes with both teams in desperate need of all 3 points. To pull away from the dreaded relegation zone with so few games left would be additional bragging rights between these two struggling teams. With a week of press-talk coming to an end, it comes down to this, the Owls hosting the Tykes at Hillsborough in front of over 29,000 fans.

nPower Championship: Huddersfield Town

Last season in League One saw a classic 4-4 at Hillsborough with the now departed Jordan Rhodes causing Wednesday all sorts of problems, but it was a 0-2 win for the Owls at the Galpharm Stadium (now renamed the John Smiths Stadium) that helped Wednesday achieve promotion. Huddersfield themselves reached the Championship with a record busting penalty shoot out victory over Sheffield United, winning 8-7. After two successive draws, the Terriers were hoping to get back to winning ways against a resurgent Sheffield Wednesday.

nPower Championship: Barnsley FC

This South Yorkshire derby comes with both teams in desperate need of points, having dropped into the relegation zone. With the 2 teams having scored the leagues least amount of goals, fans were wondering where the next win will come from. Managers Keith Hill and Dave Jones are reportedly clinging to their jobs and 3 points against a rival will help them no end.

nPower Championship: Leeds United

The pre-match banter started early between rival fans as the derby game drew closer, welcoming league football back after the international break. The term 'your clubs Cup Final' was banded out frequently and the scene was set for a dramatic 90 minutes of Yorkshire football. With the added spice of a Sheffield United contingent in the Leeds side with Warnock, Tonge, Kenny and Brown, the atmosphere was sure to be intense.

nPower Championship: Hull City

The visit of Hull to Hillsborough would always be a tough game but Wednesday had a new belief about them, a product of achieving a 3-3 draw in their last outing against Burnley. Hull themselves were not getting the right results so the scene was set for a good match - both teams out to prove a point.

nPower Championship: Huddersfield Town

A sign of respect was impeccably observed by both sets of fans before kick-off as a minutes silence was held in respect and memory of the 96 victims of the Hillsborough Disaster, a tradegy at Sheffield Wednesdays home stadium. Recent deaths of 2 soldiers serving in the Yorkshire Regiment were also honoured in the silence, one of which was a Huddersfield Town fan.

Now, with BBC Radio Sheffield live at Hillsborough and the Chelsea v Juventus match muted on TV, I was all set for an evening of football bliss and to top it off, the takeaway arrived just before kick off!