Last Two Games
So things can get worse. ‘Dem’ beat us fair and square and Birmingham (who were even worse than us) beat us and kept a long awaited clean sheet.
We here at A Certain Romance aren’t bitter, and most Wednesday fans I have spoken to have all held their hands up as have I and said we were beaten by a team that appeared much more organised and ‘up for it’ than we did. It meant everything to them, which we’ll get on to shortly.
They didn’t just beat us, but effectively beat us twice. 0-2. 2-2. 2-4. They had to do it twice, and did.
Birmingham, fresh from sacking ‘Arry, looked a poor side. There for the taking. And whatever you thought of the CC £20 presser, we were expecting a positive reaction.
What I noticed over the last two games, especially at Birmingham, is how we work so hard and are so patient to get the ball in a position out wide, for Jack Hunt, Adam Reach, Morgan Fox (delete as applicable) to have the ball in a bit of space to put a dangerous ball in. I’d say our ratio this season has been 1 in 20. The idea is fine, but the execution isn’t. When it has been look what has happened. Joao’s goal against United was from a Reach cross. Hooper’s “goal” at Birmingham was from a Fox cross. Even Hooper’s goal against United was from a Wallace cross, of sorts.
What has let us down has been the final ball, that bit of quality to put the ball in to the right area. Which is why we are still to see the best of Jordan Rhodes.
Trigger
Calls are growing for Chansiri to hand CC his P45. If Leeds come to S6 on Sunday and turn us over, they’ll mount even more, and you’d feel it is difficult to defend sitting around 16th place after 11 games. Win and you’re around 10th, which may buy Carlos some more time.
Two concerns I personally have around relieving him of his duties – Who replaces him? And the chairman’s lack of footballing background.
There is no obvious candidate to take over. There may be 2 or 3 names thrown about who are out of work or doing good jobs, but nobody that we all agree on. I can’t see Big Sam coming out of his self-imposed retirement for us (although the offer of a couple of million to get us up might tempt him as he’s known to chase a few quid), Alan Pardew might do ok as long as he doesn’t do that dance again, Nigel Pearson has just taken a job on in Belgium, Dean Smith isn’t that experienced but his Brentford side impressed me on their last two visits playing some excellent football, and he also has an affiliation with the club. The fact is there isn’t an obvious replacement, at the moment at least.
Secondly Mr Chansiri isn’t from a footballing background. Respected and intelligent business man yes, but football man no, not really. You would think he would want or need an advisor – does anybody know what Glenn Roeder is up to these days??
Dem
On to our rivals. Dem Blayards. Massive credit due. They remind me so much of when Gary Megson was in charge of us. Supporter of the club in charge, spirit within the ranks bursting to the brim. Fans, players and management all on the same page.
What I don’t get is the reaction to beating us – and now Wolves to move up to 2nd in the table. Wouldn’t normal fans celebrate the great start they’ve made and heap praise on the manager and players? Even credit Mr McCabe who they’ve not always got on with?
All I have heard off friends and on social media, is them talking about Sheffield Wednesday? Wednesday fans, Wednesday’s wage budget, Wednesday’s songs, even Wednesday’s press conferences. I had an email and text off a couple of these lot from the ‘Bladesmen culture’ telling me to tune in to the live Sheffield Wednesday pre match press conference for the Birmingham game. Even the official United twitter feed posted a video about the Wednesday fans singing. Bizarre. There must be a name for it.
When driving back in a mood from Birmingham, a smile was brought to my face when listening to TalkSport and two Blades fans called in, jubilant from beating Wolves. Rightly so. This didn’t make me smile. But when both callers came on air and spent a couple of minutes each discussing the Wednesday defeat to Birmingham and how we’re not using Jordan Rhodes in the right way, that did. Hats off to Jason Cundy for questioning why they’d rang in and spoken about us.
Maybe those two fans hate us more than they love their own club. It used to be a bit of a joke, calling each other’s set of fans obsessed.
On reflection
It’s never easy being an Owl. The play off final against Hull was disappointing but not unexpected when you’re bringing on Jeremy Helan to get you back in the game. The Huddersfield semi final hurt a lot and made it a long old summer. Last Sunday’s defeat hurt as well. All in all there’s been a few disappointments lately.
But as I book my ticket for Bolton and train tickets for Derby, I support and follow Sheffield Wednesday whether I agree or disagree with what the chairman does, whether Jack Hunt can deliver a good cross or not. It’s certainly better than what I grew up with, watching Burton O’Brien trying to send Barry Corr through.
UTO
A Certain Romance 