Owls in search for winning formula

Last updated : 05 October 2012 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday will be hoping to get a lift ahead of the international break by putting an end to their 7 match winless run. They will be encouraged by picking up their first point in that last six league games in the 3-3 draw at Burnley on Tuesday evening but they know they must defend better if they are to win games.

Chris O’Grady led the attacking line well with support from Jay Bothroyd at Turf Moor and the pair are likely to keep their places.

Dave Jones was full of praise for his team on Tuesday so few if any changes are expected. Captain Martin Taylor has been criticised for his displays since his recent move to Hillsborough but is expected to keep his place ahead of the popular Miguel Llera.

Winger Jermaine Johnson has been filling in at right-back of late but the Owls could receive a big boost if either Kieran Lee or Lewis Buxton could come through fitness tests. This would provide more defensive solidity and allow JJ to revert to his natural attacking position.

Wednesday remain without midfielder Chris Lines and defender Reda Johnson due to injury and Mark Beevers has moved to Millwall on loan.

Hull travel to S6 on the back of a 3-2 midweek home defeat to Blackpool. Former Wednesday defender Alex Bruce started that game but the manager’s son is not expected to play at Hillsborough due to injury. Fellow defenders Joe Dudgeon and James Chester could also miss out and so the Tigers could field a much-changed back line and may revert to a back four having played five at the back recently. Liam Rosenior and Andy Dawson will come into contention as a result of the injury problems.

Striker Matt Fryatt has yet to feature this season and may need surgery but former Sheffield United attacking midfielder Stephen Quinn is likely to start.

Wednesday have lost their last 2 home games having won their first 2 at Hillsborough this season. The Owls are yet to keep a clean sheet in the League and have conceded the most goals in the Championship so far this season.

Hull have followed up 3 successive league victories with 3 straight defeats and are also leaking goals left right and centre having let in 9 in their last 3 matches.

The 2 teams have not met since the 2007/08 season when both secured 1-0 home victories. Encouragingly for Wednesday, Hull have only won 3 times in 23 away games against the Owls.