Sheffield Wednesday parted company with Gary Megson in midweek and they travel to Rochdale on Saturday needing 3 points to keep the pressure on rivalsSheffieldunited for an automatic promotion place.
Dave Jones was officially appointed as the Owls new manager on Friday and will start with a watching brief from the stands at Rochdale with Chris Evans taking charge of the team. Jones has suggested however that he may be tempted into taking a more hands on approach straight away depending on how things are going, just as Gary Megson did at half-time against MK Dons when he took over at Hillsborough last February.
Wednesday have no fresh injury or suspension concerns to worry about and the line up is unlikely to differ too much from the one that started the 1-0 win over Sheffield United last Sunday. Top scorer Gary Madine will be hoping to get back into the starting line up having been introduced as a 2nd half substitute with the scores at 0-0 in the steel city derby. John Bostock and Mike Jones offer attacking options should Wednesday choose to go with a more attacking line up against the League One strugglers.
Rochdale are expected to be without defender Kevin Amankwaah who picked up an injury last weekend against Colchester. Former Wednesday player Brian Barry-Murphy is expected to feature in the home side’s midfield and goalkeeper David Lucas who was an integral part of the Owls 2004/05 promotion winning side is likely to be on the bench.
After 3 league defeats in succession Wednesday should be buoyed by the 1-0 victory over bitter rivals Sheffield United last time out. Former Rochdale striker Chris O’Grady scored the goal and he will be eager to impress against his old club.
Rochdale’s recent form has been indifferent with 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats from their last 6 games. They lost 1-0 at home to Notts County in midweek but had previously picked up creditable draws at Charlton and Colchester as well as a home win against Bournemouth.
Dale have won 4 and lost 6 of their 16 home league games to date and have only won 6 of their 33 league games in total this season. Wednesday have won 7, lost 7 and drawn 3 away games but have suffered defeats in their last 2 games away from S6.
Wednesday kicked off this season with a 2-0 home win over Rochdale thanks to goals from Rob Jones and David Prutton but lost 2-1 on last seasons visit to the Spotland Stadium which was their first time they have ever played at Rochdale in a competitive match.
Source: FOOTYMAD
