Sheffield Wednesday picked up a point and a place on Saturday in their bid to avoid relegation from the Coca Cola Championship as a number of their close rivals slipped up.
Wednesday’s point at Swansea was worthy of credit in its own right and the Owls received an extra boost thanks to certain results going their way. It’s all very well that some may paint a picture that it doesn’t matter how others perform as Wednesday’s fate lies in their own hands but it is definitely doesn’t hurt the cause when clubs around them fail to pick up points.
Fellow strugglers Crystal Palace also picked up a valuable away point to stay above the Owls on goal difference but Scunthorpe dropped into the relegation places as a result of a last minute defeat at Ipswich Town.
The weekend’s results also dragged Watford and Derby closer to the mire. The Hornets suffered a surprise home defeat to bottom club Peterborough; they have now lost four league games in succession and are just one point ahead of Wednesday though they do have two games in hand. Derby were beaten at in-form Doncaster and are in danger of being dragged back into trouble on 42 points. Significantly both clubs still have to visit Hillsborough before then end of the month giving Wednesday the opportunity to bring the pair back towards them and into the battle.
The big winners in the bottom half this week were Reading who are on a run of seven wins from eight league games and with their games in hand now look almost as likely to challenge for a play-off spot as they do to get relegated.
Ipswich and QPR look like they will have enough to avoid the drop whilst both Plymouth and Peterborough refuse to give up the ghost without a fight.
Wednesday travel to Preston on Tuesday and the focus of attention surrounding the match will no doubt be on the return of Alan Irvine to his former club. Elsewhere Ipswich could further ease their fears by getting a result away to Watford, Crystal Palace host Leicester, Derby are at home to Middlesbrough and Scunthorpe face a daunting trip to league leaders Newcastle on Wednesday evening.