Without hitting top gear, Sheffield Wednesday have made an encouraging start to the season. Darren Moore’s new-look team are still gelling together but have racked up 10 points from a possible 15.
A home clash with Forest Green Rovers is the Owls’ next assignment. It is a potential banana skin. Wednesdayites will be expecting to rock up at Hillsborough tomorrow to watch Wednesday win and win well.
But football has a nasty habit of throwing up surprises. Rovers will head to S6 looking to turn the formbook upside down and cause a big upset.
There is a strong chance Moore could keep faith with the team who produced a disciplined, professional away display at Bolton Wanderers last weekend. David Stockdale is poised to be in goal, Dominic Iorfa, Michael Ihiekwe and Mark McGuinness should make up the back three, with Liam Palmer and Marvin Johnson in the wing back slots.
Dennis Adeniran and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru staked their claims for starts in the league with eye-catching performances in the Carabao Cup tie at home to Rochdale. It is unlikely Dele-Bashiru will be risked from the start, having picked up a minor knock in the second half against Dale.
Although Adeniran is knocking on the door to start, expect Moore to stick with Barry Bannan, George Byers and Tyreeq Bakinson in the middle of the park. Bannan and Bakinson will be fresh and raring to go after being unused substitutes on Tuesday night.
Moore said: “We have looked at the volume that he had at his previous club. He did sufficient minutes.
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“He will be part of the squad for tomorrow’s game. We will continue to keep working with him, irrespective of whether he is ready to start or not. We will continue to keep working with him and get him consistent in what we are trying to do and why we have brought him to the club.”
Given the crowded fixture list and the attacking options at Moore’s disposal, Wilks could be eased into action. The likelihood is Wilks will start on the bench and Moore will go with Lee Gregory and Josh Windass in attack for the second league match running.
They are certainly looking to make a mark in League One. We know we have a tough game. We have got to stay consistent with what we are and who we are and build on the performances that we have set. We know it will be a real good footballing match tomorrow.”
