Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Town
Saturday, 20th Apr 2013 17:04

Jay Tabb scored his first goal for four and a half years as Town drew 1-1 at Sheffield Wednesday as they continued, but were unable to complete, their march to Championship safety. The on-loan Reading man’s knee diverted home a Carlos Edwards long throw in the first half of a scrappy game in which the Owls equalised after the break through Leroy Lita.

Town boss Mick McCarthy made one change from the team which beat Crystal Palace 3-0 on Tuesday with Tabb returning to the side in place of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas at left midfield. Otherwise, the 18 was unchanged.

The Blues, in all white, came close to going in front in the sixth minute when Tommy Smith’s header at the far post from Tabb’s corner on the right was blocked on the line by Danny Pugh.

The home side had one or two moments where they threatened around the edge of the box in the early stages and on 11 one-time Blues trialist Jermaine Johnson headed a Giles Coke cross straight to Scott Loach when he should have tested the Town keeper more.

Within a minute, Town were in front. Carlos Edwards — a man who has scored and always won on all his previous visits to Hillsborough — sent in a long throw from the right which looped over Miguel Llera and Jay Tabb diverted the ball past Chris Kirkland at the near post from a few feet, to his surprise as much as anyone else's.

It wasn’t just Tabb’s first goal for the Blues, but the on-loan Reading man’s first since netting twice for Coventry at home to Southampton in October 2008.

Luke Hyam almost made it 2-0 in the 18th minute when he hammered a 25-yard strike which Kirkland did well to push away for a corner.

On 20 Johnson lashed wildly over for the Owls with Town feeling Llera had caught Daryl Murphy with an arm when he had initially won the ball.

Wednesday made a tactical substitution in the 25th minute when veteran striker Steve Howard took over from Kieran Lee as Dave Jones switched things around with Johnson moving to wide right. But three minutes later the Owls boss was forced into another change when Johnson pulled up with a hamstring problem and was replaced by Chris Maguire.

Despite the change around, the home side made little headway with the game largely scrappy and with a number of stoppages for minor injuries not helping the game’s flow. But on 40 sub Howard ought to have evened up the scores but headed over Pugh’s corner from the left when he clearly felt he ought to have done better.

The Owls went closer just before the break when former Norwich loanee Leroy Lita found the space to hit a shot on the turn which Loach stopped down to his right. Murphy half-cleared to Anthony Gardner, whose effort was scrambled off the line by Smith.

There were no more chances before referee Geoff Eltringham blew the whistle on what had been a rather scrappy 45 minutes with the Blues just about shading it.

The goal had had a touch of good fortune about it, while Wednesday had begun to look more threatening towards the break.

Town started the second half strongly and created most of the early chances, the again lively Frank Nouble just failing to get his head on an Edwards cross, then Guirane N’Daw volleyed wide from the edge of the box.

On 53 Nouble teed up Murphy on the edge of the area but the Irishman curled his low shot just wide. Two minutes later, Loach claimed Jeremy Helan’s deflected shot.

Wednesday created another opportunity soon after, Howard nodding the ball down to Llera but Luke Chambers threw himself in to make a superb challenge.

But an Owls goal wasn’t too much longer in coming. Lewis Buxton crossed from the right to Lita, who had escaped Richard Stearman at the far post, and the on-loan Swansea man slammed the ball past Loach.

The goal woke up the home fans as their team began to put the Blues under pressure, Llera just failing to make enough contact on one of a number of corners, the ball skimming wide of Loach’s left post.

On 64 Nouble and Edwards broke quickly after an Owls flagkick but the Trindadian’s shot was blocked for a corner which came to nothing. Four minutes later, Patrick Kisnorbo replaced Stearman, who had picked up a knock, the Australian slotting alongside Smith with Chambers moving to the right.

Llera curled a freekick to Loach on 75, but Town were beginning to come back into it, Nouble and Hyam both receiving the ball in promising areas inside the box but were unable to work an opportunity to shoot at goal.

Wednesday thought they were in front in the 77th minute when Lita headed Helan’s cross from the left home from a few yards out but from an offside position. Three minutes later, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas replaced Murphy.

Town went close to grabbing a second goal in the 82nd minute when Kirkland failed a claim a long throw from the left and Nouble hooked it goalwards, only for Pugh to clear off the line for the second time during the afternoon. Soon after, Anthony Wordsworth took over from Tabb.

Neither side was able to create much in the remainder of what had been a scruffy game with a draw a fair result.

Town just about had the better of the first half, but the Owls were on top during the second, although the Blues also had one or two opportunities after the break.

The result sees Town move on to 57 points but down to 14th, six points clear of the relegation zone, however, still requiring another point to mathematically ensure survival, although it would now take a remarkable set of scorelines in the remaining two weeks for the Blues to take the drop into League One.

Town: Loach, Stearman (Kisnorbo 68), Chambers, Smith, Cresswell, Edwards, Hyam, N'Daw, Tabb (Wordsworth 83), Murphy (Emmanuel-Thomas 80), Nouble. Unused: Lee-Barrett, Hewitt, Drury, Chopra.

Sheffield Wednesday: Kirkland, Buxton, Gardner, Llera, Helan, Lee (Howard 25), Coke, Olofinjana, Pugh, J Johnson (Maguire 28), Lita. Unused: Bywater, Taylor, Mattock, Prutton, McCabe, Howard. Referee: Geoff Eltringham (County Durham). Att: 23,630.

Photo: Action Images

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algarvefan added 19:44 - Apr 20

I find it quite ironic that we are arguing on here still about whether we can be relegated, the bloody mess we were in when MM took over I'm relieved that we are where we are and although not a mathematician feel confident we will get points from our last 2 games. What a strange league it's been though, absolute madness, and no result is a foregone conclusion. I fear for Wolves I think they will go down, just a bit more luck and we could be in the top half of the table.

Thank you Mick and Terry and the team, you've done a great job in a crazy league with crazy results, I thought we were doomed the back end of last year, I was wrong and so are all you who are still talking about us going down!!!!

h32 added 19:50 - Apr 20 Decent point away - shame we couldn't have held on to all three though. Between this game, and Hull at home, we should have managed to be perfectly same by now - but still 'slightly squeaky bum' time - although I think we will be ok. If not, only ourselves to blame I'm afraid !
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carlo88 added 19:54 - Apr 20

I'm talking mathematically, not realistically Fatcatevans. Do the BBC Championship predictor and type in all the teams below us winning their remaining games; we'd be relegated on 57 points on goal difference going down with Bristol City and Barnsley (or Huddersfield, if Barnsley beat them). I know it's very unlikely, but it's possible - that's why Mick can't enjoy his champagne yet.

h32 added 19:58 - Apr 20 Algarvefan - since when has a statement been an argument ? - all I've seen on here is people stating what is factual and STILL a mathematical possibility at this stage - there is a difference which you 'surely' recognise !!!
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Bluesdreamer added 19:59 - Apr 20 carlo88 - I have just had a go on predictor as well and I agree with you. It would have to be a very particular set of results from all the teams below us but it is mathematically possible. To be at 14th in the table with two matches to go and still technically possible to be relegated is incredible.
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h32 added 20:01 - Apr 20 ..... 'f ' instead of 'm' as you probably realise.
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StochesStotasBlewe added 20:42 - Apr 20 Pleased with the point, another workmanlike display, shame we didn,t finish them off first half when on top.h32, my bum,s been squeeking for months, will be glad when safety is absolutely assured.
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IvorFeeling added 21:19 - Apr 20

Statisically possible but bloody unlikely. Betfred would have already paid Mick if he was in charge at PR. We are staying up, even in the very unlikely scenario of us not picking up another point and that won't happen as, since Mick & TC joined, we have never lost 2 league games back to back.

Tabb and Stears to sign and then i think we only need 3-4 more. We have Taylor coming back, Wordy, Martin for all his faults is at least a good Championship squad player. We do need a couple of midfielders, a keeper, a central defender (as back up) and a Striker. I would keep Murphy as he again does more to link up play than most give him credit for.

Mclean, Chopra and Drury to move on. Chopra will regret not doing more for Mick as he could have been part of something great next season.

warktheline added 21:38 - Apr 20 Safe as houses,we were the moment MM and TC walked through the doors at Portman Rd.Cheers Mick.
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runningout added 22:07 - Apr 20

few good and not so good signs from this game.. Thought Edwards was man of match, and his throw-ins are better 'Not unless it's just me' Our front two were ineffective.. Murphy hasnt done his chances much good if he wants to come to us, looks like he doesnt.. Midfield was solid, wish there was more creativity though.. feel like I'm asking for too much.. thought Hyam played well and like someone beyond his years

CGrimwood added 23:48 - Apr 20 I think that we are up, Barnsley still have Huddersfield to play and Peterborough still have Sheffield Weds...
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yorksblue added 00:05 - Apr 21 Should have buried them. Crap 2nd half. Played right into their hands.
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BillBlue added 06:54 - Apr 21 Go and enjoy your wine MM (and TC too) with our thanks, you have earned it. BC, Wolves and Peterborough are going down, in that order, sorry for them but that is life, the three B's survive and we finish 17th on 58 points. A good job well done but we shall expect an exponential improvement next year. COYB get us up there again!
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gazzmac4 added 09:09 - Apr 21

I would have taken a point before the game so I was happy with the overall result. I think we did enough to be a few goals further ahead at HT but for a great save from Kirkland from Hyam then we were good value for a 2-0 lead I would say. But given the pressure we were under after their goal and with te big crowd woken up I'm proud to see us hold out and keep the point!

On a slightly seperate note, I know sometimes we too are guilty of unattractive football but by god do I feel for the SWFC season ticket holders. I for one am very glad our plan B isn't to bring on an ageing centre forward with the intention of just lumping the ball forward to him at every (an I do mean every) opportunity. It was such dreadful play that I really do feel belongs in non league football. Fair play if it works and they stay up but wow did it make the game even scrappier!

Anyway COYB's!

jas0999 added 09:13 - Apr 21

Another good away point, we are certainly tough to beat! Mick will know there is much to do, but equally we all know what a terrible mess we were in under Paul jewell. I still find it remarkable what mick and terry have achieved. Agree we should celebrate until we are absolutely safe, but with others below us all playing each other it will take some truly bizarre results to see us go down.

dirtydingusmagee added 09:19 - Apr 21 this was the game i thought we'd take 3 points from,but the point is better than none,i reckon we are safe but hope we can get a win from the last two games .The last day is certainly going to be an interesting dogfight .COYB
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ShropshireBluenago09 added 09:29 - Apr 21 Job done well done MM & TC! Saviours of ITFC!
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karls_dad added 10:52 - Apr 21

Even if we did not play too well a point is a point, we should be safe now!
The question remains....... when does the transfer merry go round start? does anyone know?
I can see many leaving, loan players being returned and some serious money being spent on the new squad, its gonna be as interesting a close season like never before!
The new squad will be worked liked slaves by the brilliant MM/TC, roll on next season we are going to be real contenders for the top six for sure!
Never before have i looked forward with so much excitement! bring it on!!!!

TimmyH added 11:58 - Apr 21

Yep agree what MM & TC has managed to achieved in regards to our defense has been nothing short of miraculous in my opinion and this is the main reason I have some optimism for next season but there's a lot of work to be done in midfield upwards.

I personally feel Mick won't change things that much tactically next season and still try to keep things 'tight' defensively but hopefully will add in new editions that will make us a better out fit attacking wise.

By the way not sure if anybody knows this statistic but next season will be our 12th consecutive season in the second tier which I believe is a record - about time that changed!

bluefeast added 13:05 - Apr 21 Madness crazy crazy league , the only way we will go down is if everyone below us wins all their games and we don't get another point
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Elizabeth added 16:22 - Apr 21 Not sure why my comments received a minus ? Only being truthful and wishing for better days next season ! A little difficult to take this mediocre brand of football ! Seems a long time since Wembley ! I don't suppose some of you had the pleasure of witnessing the triumphant days !
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h32 added 19:24 - Apr 21

...... Elizabeth - don't let it worry you - perfectly logical and truthful post from you - just remind yourself that there is 'non so strange as folk' and their opinions.
And you are right - MANY posters have not experienced the successful years of the Club - and they don't know what they missed !! - 78 / 81 - wonderful days for those that were there.

Let's hope for such a return someday.

Probably get a minus for this - who cares ? - I don't.

COYB.

TimmyH added 19:42 - Apr 21

Agree some very strange marking on posts in here - I simply say don't stand for 'mediocre' football, and personally I feel Mick won't either next season. If I had to try to compare this team with a like wise team that was competing for a play-off spot i.e. an Ipswich team of the late 90's we are no where near the standard we need to be and whether we need to play more 'deck football' or continue in the same vein with grinding out results will be seen.
Have to say too that the quality in this season's Championship has been pretty low, I've seen Hull and Cardiff play a few times on the box and at PR and to be quite frank wasn't impressed with neither, which doesn't say a lot for the other 22 teams.