The Future Is Blue And White - Notes for Sheffield Wednesday Saturday, 15th Aug 2015 05:00 by HarryFromBath HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday’s game at Portman Road by delving into their forums. “Optimism abounds”, “Going to be a good season, this”, “Get on board and enjoy the ride”, “For the first time this century we are looking like a club that actually thinks it can compete for a top six place in this division. I really think we should all be getting carried away”, “Play-offs here we come.” “I’m more excited than I have been for a long, long time.” Owls arrive in Suffolk in buoyant mood after seeing their summer of squad investment capped with home wins over Bristol City (2-0) last Saturday and Mansfield Town (4-1) in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday to begin their campaign. “Wake up and smell the freshly mown pitch. Whatever the season holds there is no reason other than to be wildly optimistic at this stage. We are massively improved in every area of the operation. Everyone is of one mind that we’re heading to the Premier League either soon or soonish.” Some Owls are urging caution. “For crying out loud, we have only played two mediocre teams at home so far. Let’s wait a while”. “A good start so far and hopefully we can keep this run going. There will be much tougher tests than Bristol City and Mansfield, but winning and goals breed confidence.” Carlos Carvalhal“If Bristol City is an example of how Carlos wants us to play, then I’m all for it. We played more attractive and dangerous football with the ball where it should be, on the ground”, “He hasn’t stopped impressing me yet”, “Let’s back this fellow to the hilt because he is quality.”  The Portuguese former Besiktas and Sporting Lisbon manager has won the hearts of many Owls. “Everything he says makes me smile, his whole philosophy and his way of viewing the game tactically and honestly is a wonderful breath of fresh air compared to the tired clichés you so often hear.” “It is early days but the signs are very good”, “What we have here is our best chance at returning to the Premier League and staying there for a generation after God knows how many traditional British 4-4-2 coaches”, “He said he sets teams up to take account who we are playing, like Jose Mourinho.” “We do the goals. We don’t give too much to the opposites.” This post-match comment by the manager amused fans greatly. “I love ‘the opposites’ Carlos, keep it up”, “Who are the opposites this weekend?”, “He is Latin charm personified”, “A top bloke with a hint of meerkat.” Sheffield Wednesday 2 - 0 Bristol City“Today we begin the start of a new era at the club. Today we begin the match to the Premier League”, “I’m awake at 5.30am through sheer excitement”, “It’s more exciting than Christmas”, “A new Sheffield Wednesday Football Club is rising like the proverbial phoenix.” The Owls won their opening league game comfortably with second-half goals from Tom Lees via a set-piece and Lewis McGugan from a counter-attack. The visitors had more possession but primarily in their own half. “We let them have the ball in defence but closed them off every time in midfield.” “Are you not entertained? We completely dominated the last 25 minutes”, “The second half was an improvement with more intent and urgency”, “The style of play and tactics were pretty good”, “A very happy opening Saturday, winning comfortably and the Blades hammered [ 4-0 at Gillingham].” “Let’s be fair, Bristol wasn’t really a test”, “I lost count of the number of times they got frustrated and simply lofted the ball out of play”, “Wednesday score from a pacey counter-attack, now I have seen everything”, “This is football at Hillsborough for a change.” “Carlos’s ‘Two-nil up and closing the doors and windows’ comment made me smile”, “In the last 10 minutes we slowed the game down and ran down the clock very effectively with the physio coming on several times. It was very European and stopped Bristol City getting any momentum.” Sheffield Wednesday 4 - 1 Mansfield Town“A good win for Wednesday - hopefully we will get a good result at Ipswich.” The Owls cruised through to the second round of the Capital One Cup on Tuesday night having made nine changes from Saturday’s starting XI against Bristol. “Our second XI is as strong as our first XI was last year.” Goals from striker Lucas Joao and midfielder Jose Semedo before the break, and playmaker Kieran Lee and winger Modou Sougou after the interval secured the victory. “Dejphon Chansiri [the Owls owner] will be thinking what all the fuss is about running a football club.” System and Playing Style“I think the optimism is justified. We have a playing system and have brought players to suit it. It seems like there is a plan”, “We have more options going forward and better control”, “What has impressed me is how comfortable we are on the ball compared to, well, the last 15 years.” WestwoodHuntLeesLoovensHelanLopezHutchinsonMcGuganWallaceMatiasNuhiu
“It felt the most creative I have seen in years.” The starting XI against Bristol City (above) was set out in Carvahal’s favoured 4-2-3-1 formation. The fluency of the central midfield trio and their interplay with the two wide players and overlapping full-backs has excited Owls more than anything. “The movement and interchanging in midfield looked quality.” Sam Hutchinson plays the holding role and breaks up play, while Alex Lopez’s passing and McGugan’s industry have been praised in setting up and linking with attacks. Ross Wallace and Jack Hunt were dangerous on the right flank. WildsmithPalmerLees (c)SassoWigginsLopezSemedoSougouLeeLaveryJoao
The starting XI against Mansfield (above) is worth noting to highlight the Owls’ new strength in depth. Two of the attacking quartet, Lee (for Wallace) and Joao (for Atdhe Nuhiu) came on against Bristol and new signing Rhoys Wiggins (from Charlton) may replace Jeremy Helan at right-back. “It was good to see us closing Bristol City down well, especially in the final third, winning a fair share of second balls. We were creating half-chances out of nothing”, “Bristol passed the ball among the back four but then punted it out wide. We had fewer passes but they were more incisive.” “You could see in our style of play that the goals would come.” Owls have praised the fluency of their build-up play, their ball control and their pressing opponents at the right times. “For once we look really calm and confident on the ball. Some good football is being played.” Defence“Our defence looks solid”, “It looks as organised as ever.” Owls’ confidence in their back five is mostly based on their solid record last season, but they agree that their full-backs have been upgraded. “We have four full-backs we can rely on and who can cause the opposition problems.” Keiren Westwood“It’s nice to have a post-match debate without mentioning Westwood. It shows how far we have come”, “He never had anything to do.” The 30-year-old former Sunderland keeper “is vital to our continuity and an absolute rock between the sticks”, “He is simply too good for this league.”  “Westwood does the basics extremely well and lots of people take that for granted.” The Republic of Ireland international “can cut it in the Premier League if/when we go up”, “His kicking occasionally lets him down, but other than that he is top class in every department”, “He has it all for me.” “And we were saying Tom Lees needs to score more”, “Hopefully it will be the first of many.” The 24-year-old ex-Leeds centre-back struck the Owls’ opener on Saturday. “It’s a question of whether he has a leader like Loovens or a ball player like Sasso beside him”, “When fit he will always start.” “Lees can be more prone to the long ball than Glenn Loovens.” Thirty-one-year-old ex-Cardiff man Loovens “is going a great job right now - don’t spoil it”, “Loovens and Lees all the way”, “He’s a great leader but not as calm on the ball as Lees and opts for the long ball a little more often.” “Loovens was arguably the most important man after Westwood to our team last season considering how poor our run of performances was when he had the ankle injury in February”, “They were our most solid centre-back pairing for a while. As long as they are fit there is no need to change.” New arrival Vincent Sasso “seems like he’s more of a ball playing defender.” The 25-year-old Frenchman is a season-long loan signing from Braga. “He was solid against Mansfield apart from a few dodgy passes”, “He is next in line after Lees and Loovens and needs to get used to playing together.” “Left-back Jeremy Helan controlled the Bristol City winger but I cannot recall him putting in a hard tackle. He controlled the space and starved him of possession, intercepting every ball sent to him.” The 23-year-old ex-Manchester City man impressed many Owls with his performance on Saturday. “I have slated Helan but he pulled his socks up today”, “He defended well, always looking to get forward and he played a pivotal role in our second goal”, “He had a storming game. I just hope he can stay more consistent”, “He was always a grafter last season but just added an end product.” Jack Hunt“Great to see a full back going forward with proper intent”, “An absolutely awesome player”, “I like the look of Hunt. He is not afraid to run at them”, “Going forward he was bloody brilliant. I have forgotten how often he had Bristol City’s pants down”, “They were totally lost dealing with him.”  “The way he ghosts past players is phenomenal.” The 24-year-old former Terrier is on a season-long loan from Crystal Palace and was voted man-of-the-match on Saturday. “He was tearing down the wing, nutmegging every Bristol player in his way. Even City fans agree he tore them apart.” “My gripe with Hunt is defensively he wasn’t that good”, “We will probably get caught a few times down that side”, “It’s the defensive side of his game that he needs to work on”, “He didn’t try any risky stuff in areas that could hurt us should he fail, always keeping it simple when under pressure.” Central Midfield“We put in very few tackles against Bristol City. We appeared to shield the spaces rather than marking tight and tackling. Hutchinson shielded the centre-backs with McGugan and Lopez shielding the channels. When we won possession it was a well-timed ‘nick’ more than anything full-blooded.” “Against Bristol City, Sam Hutchinson played with his head far more and knew where to be. He knew where others needed to be and we appeared to have that captain in the middle barking orders and moving players into space or on to the man”, “He had a good game and lasted 90 minutes.” “Sweepstake for when Hutchinson gets his first yellow card”, the 26-year-old former Chelsea holding player has always been seen as an injury and disciplinary risk but tempered his play on Saturday. “If he doesn’t bomb about the pitch flying into tackles and plays with his head he’ll play more games.” “Jose Semedo didn’t put a foot wrong, was well committed for his goal and controlled the anchor-man position brilliantly against Mansfield.” The 30-year-old ex-Charlton man “dictated the tempo in the middle of the park”, “He has the discipline to know when to tackle and when to mark the space.” “Kieran Lee is the best finished in our squad. Look at the goals he’s scoring now when he breaks through.” The 27-year-old former Oldham player is consistently praised for his movement. “Some of his intelligent runs come too quick for the brains of our players”, “Lee is a proper footballer.” “In previous seasons Lee had to play as a deep-lying playmaker knocking balls out to the full-back. This season he looks like he can get involved more with the wingers and strikers”, “He is unlucky to be kept out of the starting XI. I still expect him to be one of the surprises this season.” “I’m still suspicious why Alex Lopez plays for us”, “It doesn’t make sense, does it? A player of his age with so many appearances in one of the best leagues in the world, why is he here? Not that I am complaining”, “A superb player with a brilliant pedigree”, “He looks like becoming our Fabregas.” “I would pay £40 just to watch him tie his laces.” The 27-year-old Spanish has joined on a season-long loan from Celta Vigo and his passing has caught many Owls’ attention. “I like the look of Lopez. He’s very calm and a great passer of the ball”, “a fantastic player. I could watch him all day long.” Lewis McGugan“McGugan has no consistency, work-rate and is a luxury player? I give you clearing off his goal-line and scoring in the same counter-attack from his clearance.” Owls were queueing up to praise the 26-year-old ex-Forest and Watford man for the part in played in their second goal on Saturday.  “A single 10 seconds was enough to save us from conceding and putting us in the driving seat”, “He’s a Rolls-Royce of a player and probably the best we have had since leaving the Premier League”, “He got stuck in well and quickly moved the ball wide which is what we need to do.” “He was closing players down like a man possessed at times. As long as it doesn’t affect his creative play, I could get on board with a ball-winning McGugan”, “He threw in crunching tackles I have not seen before. He looks enthused which is a great sign”, “He is always lurking behind the striker.” Wide Midfield“Two games and we have scored two goals from crosses - who are these impostors in Wednesday shirts? We have been crying out for good deliveries from the wings for years, but the step up in quality, even with our second string is a real shock to the system”, “The right side looks awesome.” “Modou Sougou looks class, a world-class ball for Semedo’s goal and he won the freekick for the first.” The 30-year-old Senegal international arrived last week from Marseille and impressed on his debut on the right against Mansfield. “Very threatening and he knows what to do with the ball.” Ross Wallace“Hunt and Wallace down the right will cause issues for every team in the league”, “He controlled the game well, didn’t rush the game or put in quick crosses. He held the ball up and waited for players to arrive. What a signing”, “He also worked really well filling in when Hunt bombed forward.”  The 30-year-old arrived from Burnley this summer and “made a huge difference on the right wing against Bristol. It was where most chances came from. He will be top in assists for us this season”, “He can cut on to his left foot a little too often and become predictable but that is being picky.” Marco Matias“Matias is a thousand times more effective on the left wing than Jacques Maghoma.” The summer arrival from CD Nacional “is going to be a huge player for us when he starts scoring”, “He is skilful, strong and has pace. He takes us excellent positions and just needs to adjust to this league.” “He did everything right on Saturday apart from hit the target.” The 26-year-old Portuguese “looks like another one who will get fans out of their seats. He has done well stealing possession and generally being a pest”, “He just needs to take his chances”, “Matias keeps missing.” Strikers“This team looks top drawer. If we can get somebody with real quality and experience up front we could be the surprise team.” Many Owls were keen to bring Daryl Murphy to Hillsborough and they still widely feel they need a dynamic “been there, seen and done it” forward to lead their line. “We just need a striker now, one with more aggression when attacking crosses. With the quality we can deliver from wide positions, a dominant front man will get at least 15 goals a season in our team. That’s the difference between a top six and mid-table finish.” One player who disappointed Owls on Tuesday was former Blue Caolan Lavery. The 22-year-old “was poor, looked a good deal off the pace against Mansfield. His second touch was mostly a tackle when he received it”, “It just didn’t go for him. His touch was awful”, “We need more than hard work.” “Lavery played on the left of the three but was touching the touchline too much”, “He didn’t look comfortable on the wing. He would be much better in the middle but when is he going to get that chance?”, “I really rate him but he will find it tough getting in ahead of five wingers and strikers.” Atdhe Nuhiu“I have stuck up for Nuhiu in the past but it’s quite obvious we need someone better if we’re going to play this formation”, “The only position we lack any real pace was up front with Nuhiu.” The 26-year-old ex-Rapid Vienna man “is that slow that people will be screaming for Joao to start sooner.”  “Atdhe is in giraffe mode.” While he has been criticised for his lack of pace and touch, some Owls want him to start on Saturday. “Start Nuhiu and keep it tight against a good Ipswich side”, “He got 11 goals last season with no service. He could easily get 15 this season.” Most remain unconvinced. “He had a few moments but he sticks out like a sore thumb. He is very clumsy and slow”, “Matias made a good flick on at one point and Nuhiu stood there like a statue. We need more from a striker”, “Every time the ball went to him it went straight to a Bristol City player.” Lucas Joao“Mansfield cannot handle Joao. When Carlos said he had all the attributes to go to the very top, he wasn’t lying”, “This kid is on another level. No need to worry about patience - he is hero material”, “On his toes when passes come forward to him, he is very quick to turn and face defenders up.” Like Marco Matias, the Portuguese arrived from CD Nacional this summer. Owls were raving about his performance on Tuesday. “Joao is going to be huge - pace, power and touch”, “I’m not sure he could do the target-man job Nuhiu was doing. Even though he’s 21, he has some filling out to do.” “I categorically tell you that with the skill this lad has you will see him leave defenders for dust. He definitely needs the ball into feet in key areas with people running off him”, “He was light lightning”, “Hopefully he will start against Ipswich”, “He will be on the bench until the last 20 minutes.” Owls’ Thoughts on ITFC and the Game“Is it just me that’s not feeling very threatened by Ipswich? Maybe I’m deluded and riding high on the last two results, but I just have a feeling that they will be less competitive than last season while we will be more competitive”, “We will have their measure with a full squad available and on form.” With 43% of Owls forecasting an away win and a further 41% going for a draw, the visitors are certainly bringing their optimism to Portman Road. Most expect goals, with 2-1 or 3-1 the most popular away win and a huge number of 1-1 draws predicted. Nobody has forecast a scoreless game. It’s probably best to start with the optimists. “I had a quick look at the Ipswich team and there is nothing to be frightened of at all. Their midfield looks pretty weak compared to ours”, “They don't need to have much quality in midfield. They just bang it up to Murphy and feed off the scraps.” “There is nothing we should be afraid of going there”, “I don’t think they will get in the play-offs, nor will Murphy repeat his last season”, “Ipswich will play high up the pitch at home in the first half and won't be able to cope with our counter attack”, “We will win this by a two-goal margin.” “Wait and see how the Ipswich game goes.” Some of the more cautious supporters see the game as a benchmark to measure their progress. “It’s typical of Wednesday fans to jump the gun after one positive performance”, “The Ipswich game will be a better indication of where this team is at.” “Ipswich away will be a big, big test, that’s for sure. It will be interesting to see how we are set up away from home. Do we really go for it or do we sit back and grind out a result?” “We have seen the Plan A. Now let’s see what is on offer at Ipswich. I would be looking for a fireball direct start.” “We can do it, the midfield is super strong.” Many Owls believe that their midfield will swing the result, but are wary of our threat from set-pieces and especially nervous of Daryl Murphy. “Murphy and Fraser are the ones to beware”, “One of their big lads will get a header from a set piece.” “Our main concern will be dealing with set-pieces and that is the only area of concern I've seen so far this season. Ipswich have the players and style to put us under severe pressure from them”, “It will be a tough game - especially if Murphy is on the same form as last season.” “If Ipswich score first it will finish 1-1, if we score first it will be 2-1 to Wednesday.” This is the most typical Owls view, a close bit winnable contest. “I would take a draw right now but just have a suspicion we might make a huge statement to the Championship with a comprehensive 3-1 win.” Giles Coke“One thing is certain. Coke will score”, “Coke will get a red card”, “They would have to find him first - the ghost who walks.” Owls have been very dismissive of their former player. “Coke gave away possession? That makes a change. Normally he never even has possession”, “League One at best.” “Ipswich signing Coke is an odd one. It shows a decline in their expectations”, “He can turn it on when he wants to so it’s no wonder he impressed on trial”, “I can’t see him as a contender in a team that missed out in the play-offs. That said, I don’t think that Ipswich will be as good this season.” WebsitesThe busiest and most informed Sheffield Wednesday message board is OwlsTalk.
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