Strugglers go head to head at St Andrews

20 September 2013 23:03
Owls in need of 3 point haul

Sheffield Wednesday travel to fellow early season strugglers Birmingham on Saturday still in search of their first win of the season.

The Owls have added to players to their ranks this week though it is as yet not clear whether either will make their debuts for the club this weekend. Defender Roger Johnson picked up an injury in training during the week but may be fit to participate. The club are still awaiting league clearance on the signing of midfielder Steven McPhail.

Defender Lewis Buxton will only play if he has fully recovered from his hamstring injury, on loan West Ham defender Jordan Spence will continue to play at right-back if Buxton is deemed not to be ready to return.

The home side have been boosted by the loan signing of young Manchester United prospect Jesse Lingard and he is expected to start in the home sides midfield.

Experienced defender Paul Robinson should return have served a one-match suspension while former Huddersfield striker Lee Novak faces a late fitness test.

The Blues are without striker Nikola Zigic, midfielder Hayden Mullins and the versatile Neal Eardley.

Despite being without a win this season Wednesday can take some comfort from the fact that they are unbeaten in their last four games but they are yet to keep a clean sheet this season and couldn't take advantage of being in the lead when Yeovil were reduced to 10 men in the first half at Hillsborough last weekend.

Birmingham have hardly been pulling up any trees themselves. They have picked up just one point from three home games so far this season and haven't won any of their last six matches. Lee Clark's side were beaten convincingly 3-0 at Burnley in midweek and they sit below the Owls on goal difference in the Championship table.

In 42 visits to Birmingham City the Owls have only won 5 times, losing 22 of these matches. Wednesday have managed just one draw in 5 visits since their last win at St Andrews in 2001. More encouragingly, they did take 4 points from their matches against the Blues last season, winning 3-2 at Hillsborough and drawing 0-0 at St Andrews.

 

Source: Owls-Mad

Source: FOOTYMAD