Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl knows that the club need just a singular point on the final day of the season to preserve their Championship status but has emphasised that he wants his players to finish strong and take all three.
One of the managerial appointments of the season, Sheffield Wednesday have been a different side since the German took over in October. Having not won any of their ten games prior to his arrival, there has been quite the change in fortunes since his arrival and the Owls are now within touching distance of safety.
Unbeaten in their last five, three of those being wins, the Yorkshire side go into the final day in a very strong position. Sat in 20th, the Owls sit three points ahead of Birmingham City who operate in the final relegation spot, as well as being two points ahead of Plymouth Argyle in 21st.
If either of those sides were to not pick up maximal points on the final day, then Rohl’s side will be playing in the second tier next season. However the manager wants his side to keep it in their hands and take the opportunity, and all three points, when they face Sunderland away from home on Saturday.
It’s somewhat of a dead game for the Black Cats, who already know that they’ll be playing in the Championship next season as they can neither go up nor down. Therefore they could be there for the taking, something that Rohl will no doubt be telling his players.
Speaking to The Yorkshire Post ahead of this weekend’s clash, the German emphasised that he wanted all three points against Sunderland.
“We won’t go to Sunderland looking for a point, we will go for three. This is the mindset I want in my players.”
“For me it’s not the time to be lazy or afraid, if we are lazy then we will have a problem.
“After the Blackburn game I said we were not in a position to defend something, we want to attack the next position. We have jumped to the next position and it means next week the same mindset; attacking, attacking, attacking.
“Then we will bring the game home and it will be job done. We are so close now, we must not look to the other teams, we must make sure of it on our own.”
Writer’s View
It’s been a truly incredible end to the season for the Owls, who were in an awful state under former manager Xisco Munoz. Even as recently as last month they looked as if they’d still be heading straight back to League One, but the five match unbeaten run has significantly boosted their survival chances.
The future looks bright under Rohl, who at just 34 years-of-age, has bundles of potential as a manager. If able to preserve their Championship status, then a better showing can be expected next season and the Owls could be a side to look out for.
Given that Sunderland don’t need anything from the game, it only enhances Wednesday’s chances and they look set to be returning to the second tier again next season.
