Owls must pick up points soon to maintain proud record

Last updated : 25 March 2011 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday travel to fellow strugglers Dagenham and Redbridge for a Saturday lunchtime kick-off as the attempt to steer clear of the League One relegation zone.

In what has been a thoroughly disappointing season on the field Wednesday now find themselves just 3 points clear of the bottom 4 as they bid to hold on to their proud record of never having been relegated to the 4th tier of English football.

The Owls will be boosted by the availability of midfield loan signing Joey O’Brien, who joins the club from Bolton for a 2nd time, 6 years on from his 1st spell at Hillsborough. Lee Nicholls, who has joined on loan from Wigan is also available but is likely to be on the bench following an encouraging performance in goal from Richard O’Donnell in last weekend’s defeat at Southampton.

Defender Lewis Buxton is nearing a return from a hamstring injury though he may not be risked at this stage as he looks to build up his fitness. Other than that the Owls do not have any injury or suspension concerns.

Dagenham will be without full-back Oluwafemi Ilesanmi as he starts a suspension following his midweek dismissal in the draw against Leyton Orient. This setback is expected to be covered by the timely return of 1st choice left-back Damien McCrory from an ankle injury.

The home side have made 2 loan signings during the week with midfielder Oliver Lee and striker Cameron Lancaster joining from West Ham and Spurs respectively. The youngsters are both expected to be named amongst the substitutes.

Dagenham are in impressive form having picked up 11 points from their last 5 games. Their home form this season has been patchy with 6 wins and 6 defeats from 17 games on their own turf so far but a win in this one would see them move level on points with the Owls.

Wednesday have lost 8 of their last 12 fixtures and have picked up just 3 points from the last 5 matches. On a brighter note they have won 2 of their last 3 away games but no club in League One has lost more than the 11 defeats that the Owls have suffered on the road so far this season.

This will be Wednesday’s first ever trip to Dagenham’s Victoria Road ground. The two teams met competitively for the first time in their history at Hillsborough on the opening day of the season with the Owls running out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Giles Coke and Clinton Morrison.