Turner's Christmas vow

Last updated : 11 May 2004 By Andy Parsons

Turner has promised a total revamp in the playing staff this summer and later on this week, he will let players know who will be getting a new contract and who will be kicked out.

More than half of the current squad are at the end of their current deals and players more than certain to be leaving include veteran goalkeeper Kevin Pressman, Alan Quinn and Derek Geary.

Fans will not shed a tear that the likes of Robbie Mustoe, Dean Smith and Brian Barry-Murphy could also be culled from the Owls line-up. But Turner has said that if his newly-assembled team do not do the job next season and Wednesday are not challenging for promotion, he will leave the job he cares about so much and try to turn another club around, like other managers in the past have done.

He said: "I think it is right that I have until Christmas to get it right here. Next season I think we should be challenging with the players we have got lined up to come here, despite Mr Bates criticising them all.

"Some of these players will be of second division experience, some Premiership experience along with some youngsters coming in like Chris Brunt who has done well, but that is how we will go forward but we must have team spirit.

"This is the only season in eleven years of coaching where I have failed to do a good job but if I do get the chance, we’ll be in the top three by the turn of the year, if not I will walk."

So far Glenn Whelan has signed from Manchester City on a two-year deal while former Newcastle defender Chris Carr made a nervy debut against QPR on Saturday.

Turner has put the pressure on both youngsters by saying that Carr is a dominant, talking defender while likening Whelan to the great John Sheridan!

Meanwhile, Carr lifted the Pontins Reserve cup last night at Hillsborough as Wednesday beat Tranmere 3-2 after extra time.