Crisis? What Crisis?

The Capital One Cup draw made way back in June saw us drawn away to Oldham Athletic, and with Sky tinkering around wanting to show the game on T.V. It saw the game being played on Monday night. Oldham's Boundary Park isn't a ground I feel highly enthusiastic about visiting, having travelled their twice on cold winters evenings over the past 2 seasons and experiencing the chill rolling off the Pennines it isn't the best of experiences. Hopefully a trip in summer would change this mindset.

Leaving Hillsborough at 4:30 pm, we arrived at around 6pm, and with plenty of time to burn, our empty stomachs decided the best course of actions would be a walk to the local McDonald's. Filling up on Chicken Selects and Fries while sat discussing our latest summer signings while sat in the pleasant Lancashire sunshine killed plenty of time before deciding it was time to enter the stadium. 

Boundary Park is a 3 sided ground, it originally had 4 side's, but the club knocked down the Broadway stand in 2008, this was to make way for a new main stand, but these plans are still waiting to come into light 4 years on. The grounds current capacity is 10,638. The Wednesday fans where housed within the Rochdale Rd End of the ground, This stand is the newest within the ground and is usually shared between home and away fans, although on this occasion we was allocated the entire stand. The Rochdale Rd stand is great for acoustics and supporters can make a lot of noise. Oldham catering staff where un-prepared and ran out of pie's shortly before kick off. With the game being on Sky T.V. the attendance was less than expected. but it was still a great turn out non the less.

The Game

Oldham Athletic 2-4 Sheffield Wednesday

                                                  Slew & M'voto       J.Johnson, O'Grady x 2, Antonio

The first half was a shocker from a wednesdayite point of view, we didn't make one tackle, ducked out of every 50/50 challenge and couldn't string two passes together. Oldham where fully deserving of the 2 goal lead they took into the break, even when we was awarded a penalty we couldn't put that away, with Necj Pecnik smashing it high into the stand. Dave Jones made two first half substitutions with Chris O'Grady and Giles Coke replacing Madine and Maguire, but this was one of the worst 45 minute performances I have ever seen.

It was inevitable that Dave Jones would shove the proverbial rocket up the arse of the players, and the tempo and desire in which we started the second half reflected this. With the highly vocal away support getting behind the team you could see the momentum in the game shift in Wednesday's favour. All that was needed was a goal to kickstart the revival. The all important breakthrough came in the 53rd minute, with the ball floating across the edge of the box, JJ struck the ball into the net, I must say from where I was stood I thought the keeper dived over the ball, but a goal is a goal and the comeback was on! When JJ was fouled on the edge of the box, it gave Llera the opportunity to whip a free kick into the box, this was sweetly met on the head of O'Grady, drawing the game level. With Wednesday in control, it seemed like the 3rd goal to complete the comeback was inevitable, and it was. This time Pecnik showed some class and skill to create some space, before passing to O'Grady who turned and smashed the ball into the net from close range. Kirkland was forced into making two saves before Michail Antonio sealed the win 3 minutes from Time. Progress to the second round of the competition was confirmed, and while the overall performance wasn't particularly special, the resilience and determination to bounce back from the awful first half performance was. 

Next up - Derby (a) This will be an interesting game, with both teams scoring highly in the cup competition it will be a stern test for both defences.

Boundary Park

Boundary Park

Day At The Olympics

There is a high amount of excitement surrounding the London 2012 Olympics that are currently taking place, wanting to take some of this excitement in I decided to attend a Football, Group D game between Spain and Morocco at Old Trafford, Manchester.

Old Trafford, Manchester

With the game being a 5pm kick off, we decided to see the newly opened National Football Museum, but not before a trip to Nando's, the museum which has recently moved from Preston North End's Deepdale Ground, is very much worth a visit, with something to interest every age, football supporter and non-supporter alike.

A Medal presented to SWFC which is shown within the NFM exhibition

See if you can spot your team on this map featuring Football teams across the nation?

 With time still to burn while in Manchester, we decided to walk from Exchange Square, to the Etihad Stadium, Home of Manchester City. The walk took about 20 minutes, with a bus back to the city center costing £1.60.

Etihad Stadium

As part of the Olympic Ticket package, Travel too and from the Olympic venue was free. Travelling on the 'Eccles' Metrolink service from Piccadilly Gardens, which took 20 mins to get too Exchange Quays, where we departed, from there it's a simple 10 minute walk to the 'Theatre Of Dreams'.

With it being the Olympics, security checks where tight and extensive. As I had a bag with me, this had to be thoroughly checked over, before being placed into a clear bag, which is then sealed with a security tag. This is wasn't opened until I had passed through the turnstile. Before Passing through the turnstile, all contents in my pockets had to be emptied into another clear bag, before a body search was conducted. It all felt a bit uncomfortable, but totally necessary. Once inside the stadium it felt exactly like any other football game you have attended before.

Old Trafford

There was 2 screens specially erected in the South East and South West corners of the stadium for the Olympics, These showed Bradley Wiggins winning his Time Trial Sprint Gold Medal during the pre-match warm up. It all added to the atmosphere, and the overall sense of event.

The Game itself was nothing spectacular and had 0-0 written all over it from the off with both teams missing simple opportunities and hitting the post countless times. Spain had recognisable names such as Chelsea's Juan Mata and Barcelona's Jordi Alba representing them. But they couldn't unlock the Moroccan defense. While it wasn't a boring game, it certainly wasn't memorable either. But what is memorable is that this was an Olympic event. And it was a great pleasure to have the opportunity to attend such an experience.

Old Trafford

Teams Ready for there respected National Anthems

The Sir Alex Ferguson Stand

Official Olympic Programme (£10), Match Ticket (£20), Official Event Programme (£5)

Old Trafford

Pre-season continues.

Doncaster Rovers 0-0 Sheffield Wednesday

The Keepmoat Stadium

Well, there isn't much to say about Saturday's game at the Keepmoat Stadium other than that neither team wanted to score, they had chances too, but seemed to neglect them. It seemed more like a fitness and passing exercise for the teams on show.

Owls Team

For the 3,600 travelling owls it was a first look at some of the new signings that where on show. And they both looked keen to impress. JJ was brought off mid way during the first half after being on the receiving end of a few rough challenges from the Rovers back line, he was replaced by Mike Jones, who I thought showed some very promising signs, he often linked up with the strikers and looked positive when moving forward. Marlon Harewood, a trialist, was unlucky not to score twice and seemed frustrated, before being replaced by O'Grady at half time. Another player who impressed was Maguire, he seems a player who has energy to burn, often chasing down loose balls and tracking back, while also showing composure on the ball.

There isn't much else to say about a very dull affair, We move on to Saturday's encounter with West Brom, gradually gaining fitness.

Keepmoat Stadium

Next Up - West Brom (H)

Pre Season Kicks Off

STOCKSBRIDGE PARK STEELS 0-4 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY

                                                                                                        Maguire (18,40) Madine (24), Antelmi (89)

Last Nights Meeting at Bracken Moor signalled the start of pre-season for Sheffield Wednesday, It's always a nice trip to go to Stocksbridge, a friendly non-league club, with a nice little stadium set on a backdrop of the regions proud steel history.

Bracken Moor

You can never tell anything from these sort of games as to how the team will perform over the coming months, a few of the new boys on show, Chris Maguire, Kieran Lee and Diogo Amado all show some very neat touches when in possession. Maguire scored two excellent goals with the second of them being the pick from his brace, he neatly finished into the keepers bottom right corner from the edge of the box after shaking off a few defenders around him. Madine scored from close range between the Maguire goals, the players linked up well together during the first half. Amado is an attacking player who has an eye for a killer pass, he often picked out the strikers or wingers with these balls during the first half period. Lee is an attacking right back, who enjoys bursting forward to join the attack.

Owls first half line up

The Second half saw the introduction of our development squad players, with Ryan Lowe replacing Maguire to be the only recognisable first teamer on the pitch, the younger players looked lively and hoping to impress, Lowe was unlucky not to score after hitting the post twice within the second half. Unfortunately I missed the fourth goal, which was scored by Patrick Antelmi, all in all it was a standard first pre season game against non league opposition, whereby the team passes it about a bit, get some fitness and knock a few goals in, with no disrespect to Stocksbridge, who did very well themselves showing a few nice touches. 

Stocksbridge is a nice non league set up and is always a great visit during the pre-season period. They are always welcoming and obviously appreciate the supporting numbers that was in attendance last night which helps towards the running costs of the club for the forthcoming season, while this wasn't announced i'd guess at around 2,000. 

Here's to what's going to be a great season going forward !

Next up - Doncaster Rovers (a) 



As well as the Stocksbridge game, Another first team XI played Dronfield Based Sheffield FC. Thanks to Chris Lewis for the following.

SHEFFIELD FC 1-1 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY

                                      Williams (75)                             O'Grady (21)  

The Main Stand

In front of a strong crowd of around 1,400 at the BT Local Business Stadium, Wednesday, sporting their new, bright yellow away strip, were pegged back in the second half after striker Chris O’Grady had given the Owls an early lead.

The Wednesday XI, led by newly appointed assistant Paul Wilkinson, contained new signing Joe Mattock at left back, while trialist Marlon Harewood partnered Chris O’Grady in attack.

There were also starts for Giles Coke, who played in the unfamiliar position of right-back and 2011-12 player of the season Jose Semedo.

Owls Starting XI

Wednesday started the brighter with O’Grady, Harewood and Jermaine Johnson all fluffing early chances. The Owls deservedly took the lead though shortly after. Summer signing Joe Mattock set off on a determined run down the left before laying the ball off to CHRIS O’GRADY, who fired a shot low and hard across the goalkeeper and into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal. More chances followed for Wednesday, most notably for trialist Harewood.

Head-guard-less Miguel Llera took a slight knock in the latter stages of the first half, but carried on until half-time so there is almost certainly no cause for concern.

Llera was replaced by academy product Ryan Dickenson at the break, while Sheffield FC also began to ring the changes.

Development squad striker Caolan Lavery replaced Marlon Harewood shortly after, which then kicked-off a flurry of further changes for the Owls.

The lively Lavery was a plus for the youthful Owls in what was a fairly dour second half.

Academy goalkeeper Cameron Dawson then pulled off a top class save from point-blank range on 65 minutes, beating the ball away to his right after being tested with a vicious strike from 10 yards out by Sheffield’s Tyrone Thompson.

But the unlucky Dawson was to be beaten just seconds later, Dan Williams met a well executed cross with a powerful header, which flew into the Owls goal via the crossbar to give the Donfield side a well deserved share of the spoils.

As with all pre-season games, it is difficult to predict how the side will fair over the course of the forthcoming season. Especially as Wednesday ended the game with an entirely different XI than the one that started it. There were however promising signs, most notably from Joe Mattock and the hold-up play of Chris O’Grady. The Owls now head off to the warmer climes of Portugal for a week’s training & games against European giants Sporting Lisbon, as well as newly promoted Premier League side Reading.

Untouchable

This week Spain became the first national team to win 3 major competitions back-to-back, a World Cup success in 2010 sandwiched between two European Championship wins in 2008 and 2012 respectively, but does this make them the best team ever?

Spain lifting the World Cup 2010

When this topic is brought up, many say "oh it's the Brazilians of the 1970's" or "what about the Real Madrid side that Dominated Europe in the 50's?" and yes, these sides where both incredible in their own rights. But do they match this Spain team that we have seen conquer Europe time and time again? While they might not be the most attacking minded of teams, often labelled 'boring' by the English media, the fact of the matter is that they win games, I am sure most of you would be over the moon if your team played the Spanish way, because I know I would be. They don't have just one or two world class players they have 8 or 9, and that's without mentioning Mata and Torres who often reside on the bench. Names like Iniesta, Xavi, David Silva and Fabregas just roll off the tongue of any football fan around the globe.

Andres Iniesta

Why are they so successful? Well my opinion is that the success of the Spanish is partly due to the amount of players they have within their national side that play for the same club. Take the Starting XI that played against Italy in Kiev last Sunday. 

Casillas - Real Madrid

Arbeloa - Real Madrid

Pique - Barcelona

Ramos - Real Madrid

Alba - Valencia (Transfer to Barcelona agreed)

Busquets - Barcelona

Xavi - Barcelona

Xabi Alonso - Real Madrid

David Silva - Manchester City

Iniesta - Barcelona

Fabregas - Barcelona

That's just 4 different clubs, 9 of the players being split between the 2 Giants of Spanish football, Real Madrid and Barcelona. This is where I feel that the success of this team lies. The players are used to playing with each other week in, week out. They understand each other's games. 

So, In answer to the original question. Who are the Best team ever? Well, I think all 3 are in their own rights. There is no doubting that Real Madrid's achievement of winning the European Cup 5 times in a row is incredible and will never be beaten again in the modern game, Brazil of the 1970's with Pele at the spearhead of the team, was the most entertaining team known and unstoppable for large parts of the decade. 

Pele

While it remains a great debate, it cannot be doubted that Spain are the best team of the current generation. 

It's Been A Long Hot Summer

Well, we wish it was, It never stops raining! Makes the close season drag just that little bit more than it already seems to do. While the Euro's and the little glimmer of hope that England offered us kept the boredom away momentarily. The monkey with the symbols soon returned within our lifeless skulls once Ashley Cole missed the vital penalty.

So, what's happened since Saturday 5th May? Well not a lot really. I'm sure all Wednesdayites will have had a good chuckle at their Sheff Utd supporting counterparts at some point during the 3 weeks after. After all, it's not every season you just creep in to steal promotion on the final day of the season against your bitter rivals is it?

For me, the close season has been a quite one, visit's to Old Trafford for Soccer Aid, leaving me mentally scarred against Robbie Williams and Marvin from JLS for life, and the Etihad Stadium for the incredible Coldplay gigs was personal highlights.

Old Trafford - Soccer Aid

Coldplay

I'll keep this post short and sweet and with the season looming ever closer, I thought it would be an ideal time to bring this Blog back to life. I hope you all enjoy reading this throughout the season and that your respected teams do as you hope, but not against the mighty Owls of course.