Owls v Leicester City - Match Report
Written by Administrator Monday, 08 March 2010 21:00
Owls BlogWednesdayite match reporter Matthew Herring bring us his report from the Owls game against Leicester City at Hillsborough on Saturday 6th March 2010.
A 2-0 result secured the three points after three games without a win or even a goal to celebrate.
A 2-0 result secured the three points after three games without a win or even a goal to celebrate.
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 2-0 LEICESTER CITY - A LITTLE PRIDE RESTORED
After three losses, and even more worryingly, three dire performances, there was not a great deal of optimism around Hillsborough before the match. It’s amazing how quickly things change. The inclusion of Darren Purse (now a defensive stalwart and not the walking liability of the early season) and particularly Jermaine Johnson, gave everyone a massive lift, and ensured the team came out to hope and expectation.
The start to the game continued the feel good factor as Wednesday both attacked and closed down with purpose, and the possibility of a win grew. This continued throughout the game, and although Leicester had a few chances and some periods of pressure, I never felt that this was a game we would lose.
It would be hard to pick a man of the match, as everyone contributed. I thought Eddie Nolan looked like a weak link at right back, as he kept being caught too far infield and was too slow, but he got better, and looked the part as left back in the second half. Lee Grant pulled off two excellent saves, one each half, but generally just had to look calm and sweep up behind the defence.
Tommy Miller showed what we have been missing while he has been out injured, bringing real drive whether playing left, right or through the middle, and perhaps coincidently, let Darren Potter have his best game for ages, as he finally put in a complete game, adding middle steel to his passing (with very little wayward for a change). Marcus gave plenty of effort, and Leon finally showed that he can be a solid front man, holding up the ball, bringing others into play, and scoring two crackers – although his second looked more like he’d shinned it to me, I don’t care as the goal came at the right time to settle any nerves. And JJ suggested that, whenever we can get him on the field, we’ll have a chance to beat any team as I haven’t seen any defenders at this level who can live with him running at them. His cross for Leon’s second showed that his end product maybe improving as well, which is what is needed.
The game faded for the last quarter, as JJ and Leon were replaced and Tommy tired, and a bit of drive went, but it never felt like Leicester could get enough sustained pressure going to overturn the result.
Special mention must go to the referee, who was as bad as I’ve seen at Hillsborough. Waiting to see if advantage occurs is a good trait, but often he seemed to just be taking too long to decide if a foul had been committed, with many of his decisions baffling the players as much as the crowd and manager. I was particularly incensed when, while James O’Conner was pointing out that the ball was not in the quadrant for a corner, he made James move back, but allowed Leicester to take the quick corner while both he and James had the back to the ball in mid-conversation.
My final point is to bring us back to out still perilous position in the table, as the scoreboard showing the Blades losing was greeted by the usual cheer, followed by a smattering of groans as we realised a loss for Crystal Palace may be more important to us this year.
So, all in all, a good result, a good performance, and some hope that we may not actually be doomed to relegation after all.
Matthew.
After three losses, and even more worryingly, three dire performances, there was not a great deal of optimism around Hillsborough before the match. It’s amazing how quickly things change. The inclusion of Darren Purse (now a defensive stalwart and not the walking liability of the early season) and particularly Jermaine Johnson, gave everyone a massive lift, and ensured the team came out to hope and expectation.
The start to the game continued the feel good factor as Wednesday both attacked and closed down with purpose, and the possibility of a win grew. This continued throughout the game, and although Leicester had a few chances and some periods of pressure, I never felt that this was a game we would lose.
It would be hard to pick a man of the match, as everyone contributed. I thought Eddie Nolan looked like a weak link at right back, as he kept being caught too far infield and was too slow, but he got better, and looked the part as left back in the second half. Lee Grant pulled off two excellent saves, one each half, but generally just had to look calm and sweep up behind the defence.
Tommy Miller showed what we have been missing while he has been out injured, bringing real drive whether playing left, right or through the middle, and perhaps coincidently, let Darren Potter have his best game for ages, as he finally put in a complete game, adding middle steel to his passing (with very little wayward for a change). Marcus gave plenty of effort, and Leon finally showed that he can be a solid front man, holding up the ball, bringing others into play, and scoring two crackers – although his second looked more like he’d shinned it to me, I don’t care as the goal came at the right time to settle any nerves. And JJ suggested that, whenever we can get him on the field, we’ll have a chance to beat any team as I haven’t seen any defenders at this level who can live with him running at them. His cross for Leon’s second showed that his end product maybe improving as well, which is what is needed.
The game faded for the last quarter, as JJ and Leon were replaced and Tommy tired, and a bit of drive went, but it never felt like Leicester could get enough sustained pressure going to overturn the result.
Special mention must go to the referee, who was as bad as I’ve seen at Hillsborough. Waiting to see if advantage occurs is a good trait, but often he seemed to just be taking too long to decide if a foul had been committed, with many of his decisions baffling the players as much as the crowd and manager. I was particularly incensed when, while James O’Conner was pointing out that the ball was not in the quadrant for a corner, he made James move back, but allowed Leicester to take the quick corner while both he and James had the back to the ball in mid-conversation.
My final point is to bring us back to out still perilous position in the table, as the scoreboard showing the Blades losing was greeted by the usual cheer, followed by a smattering of groans as we realised a loss for Crystal Palace may be more important to us this year.
So, all in all, a good result, a good performance, and some hope that we may not actually be doomed to relegation after all.
Matthew.
NEXT UP:
WEST BROM (A)
TUES 09 MARCH – 7:45PM
The views expressed in Wednesdayite.com match reports are those of the author and not necessarily the views of Wednesdayite, The Sheffield Wednesday Supporters Society Ltd, or anyone associated with the society.
Bookmark
Comments (0)
