Ex-Sheffield Wednesday player Chris Waddle has sent a message to Owls fans, as the club approaches the business end of their promotion hunt.
Waddle now retired, played for Wednesday from 1992 – 1996 back when the club was in the Premier League. He made a total of 126 appearances for the Owls, contributing to 31 goals.
Fast forward to the modern day, the club finds itself deep in the League One automatic promotion battle. The Owls currently sit top of the table level on 80 points with Plymouth Argyle, who have a game in hand on Wednesday.
Ipswich and Barnsley also sit hot on the tails of the top two, with 78 and 75 points respectively. Plymouth, Ipswich and Barnsley all have a game in hand on the Owls, which if results don’t go Wednesday’s way could see them drop out of the automatic promotion places.
Wednesday failed to reach the automatic places last season and lost out in the playoffs to eventual winners Sunderland, Owls fans will be eager to avoid a repeat of that.
Winless in five, Wednesday travel to Oxford United on Good Friday looking to get back to winning ways. Oxford currently sit just three points above the relegation zone and comes into the game following a 0-0 draw away to 6th-placed Peterborough United.
It’s a bumper weekend of football ahead for fans, the Owls as above travel to Oxford on Good Friday but also look forward to the visit of Accrington on Easter Monday. Two tough games against teams fighting for their lives in League One.
Ahead of a vital period for Wednesday, ex-Owls player Chris Waddle had this message for fans when speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield.
“I can understand the fans’ frustration but getting on their backs is not going to help them, especially with players who might be a bit low on confidence. It is not going to help them at all.”
“Back them. It is no good moping and groaning. It is putting more pressure on the players.”
“These players are not international footballers. They have not played at the highest level. Some have played a few games in the Premier League but they need confidence and backing.”
“I read all these negative comments on these websites and whatever and I’m thinking they’ve had an amazing season.”
“They have lost (George) Byers and (Josh) Windass who are massive losses to them.’ Maybe he (Moore) has got to bring (Mallik) Wilks in if he is fit now because he can do a Windass-type job floating around (Michael) Smith or (Lee) Gregory.”
“They have got to go more direct and put the ball in the box. It is all about winning games. It is not about being pretty. It is not about great performances. It is about getting over the line.”
Waddle is then asked what he thinks about Wednesday’s automatic promotion credentials, despite the recent drop-off in form.
“I don’t see why not, They have been sitting up at the top for a long, long time. Everybody has a blip in the season and, unfortunately, Wednesday’s has come at a stage in the run-in where people were talking about these four or five games that if they win they are up, basically.
“Now it is sort of will they get automatics or will they get in the playoffs? Ipswich are on a great run.”
“People forget that League One is League One for a reason. There are going to be ups and downs. Consistency is always a problem when you go and play in the lower leagues.”
Writers View
Strong words for the Wednesday faithful from Waddle, it certainly is going to be a thrilling battle at the top of League One this season.
For me, Wednesday needs to win at Oxford on Friday or they are at risk of another visit to the playoffs this season.
It’s possibly the biggest weekend of football for Wednesday this season. Two games against teams at the wrong end of the table could spell a potential banana skin.
I’d say nothing less that six points will do for Wednesday this weekend.
