Chairman Allen eyes play-offs - EXCLUSIVE

Last updated : 10 May 2007 By Andy Parsons

The Owls finished the campaign in a respectable ninth position which looked completely out of sight at the start of the season with the club hovering above the drop zone.

Allen was criticised by supporters when he sacked Paul Sturrock in October when many Owls fans thought that the Scotsman was untouchable following Wednesday's promotion to the Championship 18-months prior to his departure.

But the difficult choice to dispose of Sturrock and appoint Laws has been an inspired move as Wednesday climbed the table from sitting just above the relegation places in October to missing out on the play-offs by only four points.

"It's been brilliant," Allen told Footymad on Wednesday's season. "It was a difficult start and it was a difficult decision when we had to change managers and the decision that we have made has been proven to be correct.

"I think the high point of the season was when we made the (managerial) change. I mean, I was taking a lot of abuse from a certain section of the fans but the high point was the fact that our decision proved to be right.

"Brian has had a great impact. We have virtually got the same team of players, he has just been able to motivate them and get them playing proper football which is what it is all about really.

"He is doing all I have asked for really; we are playing attractive and attacking football, the crowd's enjoying it. He has brought in Jermaine Johnson, he's a class act he is and when he gets a proper pre-season in the summer he will be some player - there's one other thing that I wanted to add, I've been proved right in relation to the (Ken) Bates affair haven't I?"

The frosty reception the board received, especially after protests directed to the board following the QPR victory in October deeply upset the chairman, but things could have been worse for Wednesday if looking at Leeds' demise is anything to go by.

Allen added: "Those people who were shouting for Ken Bates as well as the likes of Joe Ashton and (supporters group) Wednesdayite have now got to ask themselves some serious questions haven't they? Some very serious questions but I have always tried to do right for the football club and hopefully we are now going in the right direction.

"I have been at the club now for seven years, been chairman for four years and since I have been here, we have been moving onwards and upwards and that is what we must continue to do - and hopefully we shall."

There is no doubt that Allen supports Laws and hopefully the goals the board want Wednesday to achieve next season will not be a bridge too far, especially knowing that the manager will be able to add to his squad next season.

Allen concluded: "We have to bring in one or two new players, there's no question about that, we have to add to the existing squad and add more quality; each time we have to add a bit more quality and the plan for next year is a top-six finish."

Many thanks to Mr. Allen for taking the time to do this very rare interview - there's a great vibe around the club now for the first time in years and hopefully it is the start of great things to come.