Sheffield Wednesday ace was branded ‘stupid’ after last Steel City derby same mistake can’t happen again…
Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United go head-to-head once more this afternoon in the fiercely contested Steel City derby, but Owls players have to learn from past mistakes.
The Blades won the last meeting between these two teams, snatching a narrow 1-0 win at Bramall Lane thanks to a goal from Tyrese Campbell.
Sheffield Wednesday had put up a brave fight in the first-half there, and were perhaps even the better team for 45 minutes. But, they left empty-handed, and will be looking to get revenge this time.
It’s always a tough game to predict, with experts torn on this Steel City derby. But, thankfully, the Owls can look back at the previous clash with Sheffield United and realise where they may have gone wrong.
READ MORE: Chris Wilder could surprise fans at 11:30am with Steel City derby start for ‘popular’ Sheffield United man
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Max Lowe and Sheffield Wednesday were ‘rattled’ by Sheffield United in November
Despite stifling United for large portions of the game back in November, Wednesday were overwhelmed after the interval. And, once the home side got their lead, they were never going to give it up.
It was said Chris Wilder taught Danny Rohl a lesson in discipline and concentration the last time they met, but that learning curve translates to many of the players, too.
In particular, Sheffield Wednesday defender Max Lowe was criticised for some of his decisions in the game, especially after giving away a silly free-kick for a reckless challenge in a dangerous area just moments after United’s goal.
Covering the game at the time, co-commentator Don Goodman said: “They [Sheffield Wednesday] are rattled. That was a stupid challenge.
“You’re the team with the worst set piece record in the Championship. Why would you do that?”
Ultimately, the incident didn’t lead to a goal, but it was yet another example of how Wednesday’s game management went out of the window.
Clearly, they didn’t have the mental fortitude to deal with their opponents at the time, but they’ll be hoping things have changed since then.
READ MORE: Sheffield Wednesday ace surely in line for Steel City derby start, Danny Rohl knows how ‘helpful’ he can be
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
Silly mistakes, giving away set-pieces would be a disaster for Sheffield Wednesday
In many ways, Sheffield Wednesday have improved a lot since that defeat in November, and they’ve certainly shown far more resilience — they’re now the best team in the Championship when it comes to gaining points from losing positions.
The Owls are now one of the most intriguing outsiders in the race for the play-offs this season, and a win in the Steel City derby would be a huge three points and incredible momentum-generator.
Position Team Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Diff Points
1
Leeds
38 23 11 4 76 25 51 80
2
Burnley
38 21 15 2 52 11 41 78
3
Sheffield Utd
37 24 7 6 52 28 24 77
4
Sunderland
38 19 12 7 55 37 18 69
5
Coventry
38 17 8 13 55 48 7 59
6
West Brom
38 13 18 7 48 34 14 57
7
Bristol City
38 14 15 9 49 41 8 57
8
Middlesbrough
38 15 9 14 57 48 9 54
9
Blackburn
38 15 7 16 42 40 2 52
10
Watford
38 15 7 16 47 51 -4 52
11
Millwall
38 13 12 13 37 39 -2 51
12
Sheffield Wednesday
37 14 9 14 53 58 -5 51
But, if Wednesday are to get anything from this game, they need to keep their heads and not let Wilder and his players get under their skin. Most importantly, they need to avoid any more ‘stupid’ mistakes and they definitely do not want to give away free-kicks near their goal.
The Owls are the worst team in the division when it comes to conceding goals from set-pieces (17, joint with Luton Town and Plymouth Argyle, who are both in the relegation zone).
Statistics Sheffield Wednesday Sheffield United
Goals conceded from set-pieces 17 7
Goals scored from set-pieces 8 9
Data via WhoScored
It’s a situation they are highly vulnerable in, and while the Blades are not the most prolific from set-pieces (nine goals scored from dead balls this season), they will still relish any opportunity they get to pump the ball into the box and put pressure on the home side.
One thing’s for sure, it would be a shame if a game of this magnitude were decided by a moment of head loss from either side, and Wednesday will be desperate to eradicate that side of their game as soon as possible.
