Sheffield Wednesday

Numerous contenders eye Owls job
Sheffield Wednesday chairman Dave Allen says he has a list of managers \"as long as my arm\" who want to take charge of the Owls after Paul Sturrock's sacking. He also told SSB he was looking for someone who could get the club back to the Premiership and money would be made available for this aim. \"We've got to find someone capable of developing the side in this league and getting us promoted,\" he said. \"That might mean we've have someone who has a pedigree of doing that.\" Allen said he expected the appointment of a new manager to take up to two weeks and that plenty of candidates were interested in the job. He added: \"He can bring his own players in and move a few out. I'll make a few bob available to him out of my own pocket. \"We want someone who will play attractive, attacking football - the style is very important. \"I don't think fans would mind if you lost 4-3 occasionally but we don't want to see eight men behind the ball.\" Sturrock was sacked last week after Wednesday lost 4-0 at Colchester, five weeks after signing a new contract keeping him at the club until 2010. The former Plymouth boss had been in charge at Hillsborough for two years.

Barnsley reject Owls' Ritchie bid
Barnsley have rejected Sheffield Wednesday's approach to speak to manager Andy Ritchie and are hoping he will sign a new deal with the Tykes. The Owls are looking for a new boss after sacking Paul Sturrock last week. But Barnsley chairman Gordon Shepherd told SSB: \"I refused the request and rejected it in writing so there's absolutely no argument. \"When I told Andy we had an approach he looked surprised, then we discussed extending his contract here.\" Ritchie, 45, led the Tykes to promotion from League One in last season's play-off final and are currently one place below Wednesday in 21st place in the Championship.

Laws included on Owls shortlist
Sheffield Wednesday have interviewed Scunthorpe boss Brian Laws for their vacant managerial post. Owls chairman Dave Allen has told BBC Radio Sheffield that Laws is on a shortlist of three to replace Paul Sturrock, who was sacked on 19 October. The club have had approaches for Barnsley's Andy Ritchie and Burnley boss Steve Cotterill turned down. Apart from a three-week spell, Laws has been at Scunthorpe since 1997, guiding them to promotion in 1998/99. Wednesday have been on the look-out for a new manager since sacking Sturrock last week, just over a month after signing a new contract. Their attempts to lure Ritchie to Hillsborough ended when their South Yorkshire rivals Barnsley turned down their request to speak with him. A similar move for Cotterill failed, while ex-Norwich boss Nigel Worthington admitted he was not interested in the role. Former Wednesday players Gary Megson and Nigel Pearson have also been linked with the job. Laws started his managerial career with Grimsby before taking over from Mick Buxton at Glanthorpe Park. He took them into the Second Division in 1999 but they lasted only one season. Laws briefly left the club in 2003 but was reinstated when major shareholder Steve Wharton took control of the club. They are currently fourth in League One having gaiend promotion from the bottom tier in 2005.

Wednesday confirm Laws interest
Sheffield Wednesday chairman Dave Allen has admitted Brian Laws is a strong candidate to be offered the vacant manager's position at Hillsborough. The Scunthorpe boss is on a shortlist of three to succeed Paul Sturrock, who was sacked on 19 October. And Allen said: \"He is from the Brian Clough camp and I'm a great admirer.\" Laws added: \"Myself and Iron chairman Steve Wharton decided I should listen to what Wednesday had to say. I did that and am awaiting feedback.\" Apart from a three-week spell, former Grimsby manager Laws has been at Scunthorpe since 1997. Having gained promotion from League Two in 2005, he has led the club to fourth in League One this season and his success has drawn the attention of Allen. But Laws was keen to stress that it is business at usual at Glanford Park for him, despite the interest from the Owls. \"It would take something very special to tempt me away from this club which is so much a part of my life,\" he said. \"At this stage it is very much business as usual.\" Wednesday have been on the look-out for a new manager since sacking Sturrock last week, just over a month after signing a new contract. Their attempts to lure Andy Ritchie to Hillsborough ended when their South Yorkshire rivals Barnsley turned down their request to speak with him. A similar move for Burnley manager Steve Cotterill failed, while former Wednesday players Gary Megson and Nigel Pearson have also been linked with the job.

Wolves v Sheffield Wed
Long-term absentees Jackie McNamara and Carl Cort are in contention for Wolves' clash with Sheffield Wednesday. Lewis Gobern is doubtful with a hamstring injury, Mark Clyde is short of match fitness and Mark Davies is sidelined with knee problems. Sheffield Wednesday will give late fitness tests to Graham Coughlan (hamstring) and Deon Burton (calf). Otherwise, caretaker boss Sean McAuley has no new injury or suspension worries for the trip to Molineux.

Wolves 2-2 Sheffield Wed
Leon Clarke's brace earned Wolves a hard-fought draw with managerless Sheffield Wednesday. The hosts took the lead on 30 minutes as Clarke rose to head home Jamie Clapham's cross from the left. Wade Small levelled with a volley from the edge of the box six minutes later, before Chris Brunt fired Wednesday ahead seven minutes after the break. But Clarke took advantage of some sloppy Owls defending with 17 minutes to go to fire in an equaliser. Wolves manager Mick McCarthy: \"It's a good point and we looked like we were going to lose, so I will take it. \"It would not have been justified if we had won because I think Wednesday played well and deserved a draw. \"It wasn't our best performance but, when I look back, I think I'll be pleased with what we have. We may well have come away with nothing.\" Sheffield Wednesday boss Sean McAuley: \"We deserved a point and the players showed spirit. We played really well and the mentality is good. \"Whether this is my last game in charge I don't know. We are training on Sunday and we will keep preparing properly. \"If someone else comes in I will help and support him but I'm in a position where I can enjoy the job and try to take some pressure off the players.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wolverhampton: Murray, Edwards, Breen, Craddock (Little 66), Clapham, Potter (Gobern 57), Henry, Olofinjana, Ricketts, Bothroyd (Cort 11), Clarke. Subs Not Used: Ikeme, Craig Davies. Goals: Clarke 30, 73. Sheff Wed: Jones, Simek, Hills, Bougherra, Spurr, Lunt, Folly, Small (Whelan 60), Brunt, Tudgay (Talbot 80), Burton (MacLean 81). Subs Not Used: Adamson, Bullen. Booked: Hills, Lunt. Goals: Small 36, Brunt 53. Att: 20,637 Ref: R Lewis (Shrewsbury).

Sheff Wed v Crystal Palace
Sheffield Wednesday captain Graham Coughlan is expected to return to the side as he has resumed training after a hamstring injury. Wade Small (dead-leg) and Tommy Spurr (concussion) are both major doubts. Crystal Palace boss Peter Taylor says there is \"a slight chance\" that winger Jobi McAnuff make his comeback at Wednesday following a hernia operation. Defender Danny Butterfield could start but Michael Hughes (knee) and forward James Scowcroft (hamstring) are out.

Owls caretaker awaits appointment
Sheffield Wednesday caretaker boss Sean McAuley believes a new manager will not be appointed before the weekend and he will still be in charge this Saturday. McAuley told SSB: \"I think that I will be in charge for the Leicester game. \"I will take training on Thursday and I'm presuming someone may come in at the weekend after Saturday's match.\" McAuley, academy manager at Wednesday, was put in charge of first team affairs on 20 October after Paul Sturrock left.

Sheff Wed 3-2 Crystal Palace
Steve McLean's injury-time goal gave Sheffield Wednesday a deserved win after they had twice come from behind. Shefki Kuqi scored Crystal Palace's opener after a mistake by John Hills. Marcus Tudgay missed a glorious headed chance for the hosts but made amends with a calm finish after good work from Wade Small moments before the break. Tom Soares scored a wonderful solo goal to put the Eagles ahead again only for Graham Coughlan to turn in Kenny Lunt's free-kick before McLean's late header. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheffield Wednesday caretaker-manager Sean McAuley: \"I can't fault the performance of the players at all so far. \"When I got this job I talked about having the right mentality. I wanted them to be free and to concentrate on the performance above anything else. \"We have managed to focus solely on the performance. We have more belief and the results have helped with that.\" Crystal Palace manager Peter Taylor: \"It was totally unprofessional for us to lose that game. \"I can't understand why our players don't sense danger from set-pieces. It is something we work on in training but it just didn't happen for us today. \"It was an unprofessional performance. We should have been 1-0 up at half-time but we just could not hold on.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheff Wed: Jones, Lunt, Coughlan (Bullen 86), Bougherra, Simek, Hills, Folly, Small, Brunt, Burton (MacLean 78), Tudgay. Subs Not Used: Adamson, Whelan, Talbot. Booked: Brunt, MacLean. Goals: Tudgay 45, Coughlan 73, MacLean 90. Crystal Palace: Flinders, Butterfield, Lawrence, Cort, Borrowdale, Soares, Fletcher, Watson (McAnuff 46), Reich (Kennedy 34), Kuqi (Freedman 76), Morrison. Subs Not Used: Kiraly, Hudson. Booked: Borrowdale, Kuqi, Lawrence. Goals: Kuqi 21, Soares 64. Att: 19,034. Ref: A Hall (W Midlands).

Sheff Wed v Leicester
Sheffield Wednesday skipper Graham Coughlan will have a late fitness test after aggravating a hamstring injury. Teenager Tommy Spurr stands by to step in for Coughlan, while Lee Bullen is available to make a rare start. Leicester have defenders Gareth McAuley and Alan Maybury available again after suspension and injury respectively. That could mean a rest for Paddy McCarthy, who has been playing with a broken nose. Patrick Kisnorbo and James Wesolowski are doubts.

Sheff Wed 2-1 Leicester
Marcus Tudgay took his tally to five goals in four matches to give Sheffield Wednesday a fourth straight home win. He put The Owls ahead after 34 minutes, finishing powerfully after a slick exchange with Deon Burton. Burton was the creator again nine minutes after the break, drawing Leicester defenders to him before giving Tudgay a simple chance. Leicester pulled a goal back after 72 minutes when Matt Fryatt bundled home from Madjid Bougherra's poor clearance. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheffield Wednesday caretaker manager Sean McAuley: \"The performances come from the confidence of getting a good result. We're up to 16th, and the players are brimming at the minute. \"If they focus on the next game you never know what might come round for them. \"Credit to Leicester because they did throw everything at us and they went for broke - but we handled it well.\" Leicester boss Rob Kelly: \"We're disappointed; we were on a decent run recently, and our performances have been good. \"We all know that now we have dropped below the standards we set ourselves. \"We ignore it (the takeover talk) because we have got enough on our plate trying to win matches in this division.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheff Wed: Jones, Bullen, Bougherra, Simek, Hills, Lunt, Folly, Small (Talbot 72), Brunt, Tudgay (MacLean 87), Burton. Subs Not Used: Adamson, Whelan, O'Brien. Goals: Tudgay 34, 55. Leicester: Logan, McCarthy, McAuley, Johansson, Stearman, Kenton, Hughes, Johnson (Welsh 58), Tiatto (Sylla 68), Hume, Hammond (Fryatt 46). Subs Not Used: Henderson, Maybury. Booked: Stearman, Tiatto, McAuley, Hume. Goals: Fryatt 72. Att: 22,451. Ref: N Miller (Co Durham).

Rochdale sign Owls defender again
Sheffield Wednesday defender Rory McArdle has returned to Rochdale for another loan spell. The 19-year-old spent seven months on loan at Spotland last season, making 20 appearances for the League Two side. The Northern Ireland Under-21 international, has now moved on loan until 8 January, and will be allowed to feature for Rochdale in the FA Cup. \"I very nearly rejoined in the summer, but I've remained in contact with the gaffer,\" he told Dale's website.

Ipswich v Sheff Wed
Ipswich will be without Billy Clarke as he is still recovering from a knee injury and is set to see a specialist. Midfielder Simon Walton is serving a one-match ban, but striker Jon Macken is back in contention having missed three games with a hamstring strain. Goalkeeper Mark Crossley goes straight into the Sheffield Wednesday squad but new boss Brian Laws looks set to be without captain Graham Coughlan. Coughlan is still struggling with a hamstring problem.

Ipswich 0-2 Sheff Wed
Marcus Tudgay's sixth goal in five games inspired Wednesday to a deserved win as the visitors celebrated Brian Laws' first game in charge in style. Tudgay steered home the opener from Wade Small's cross after sparking an incisive break from his own half. Alan Lee should have drawn Town level from close range on the half hour before Matthew Richards also missed. And they paid for their profligacy when Madjid Bougherra headed his first Owls goal from Kenny Lunt's centre. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ipswich: Supple, Wilnis, De Vos, Bruce, Harding (Naylor 84), Roberts, Legwinski, Noble (Currie 64), Richards, Lee, Haynes (Macken 24). Subs Not Used: Drobny, Peters. Booked: Lee, Currie. Sheff Wed: Crossley, Simek, Bullen, Bougherra, Hills, Small (Whelan 81), Lunt, Folly, Brunt (O'Brien 72), Tudgay, Burton (MacLean 89). Subs Not Used: Adamson, Coughlan. Booked: Hills, Small. Goals: Tudgay 11, Bougherra 82. Att: 21,830 Ref: K Stroud (Hampshire).

Owls to appeal against red cards
Sheffield Wednesday have launched an appeal against the red cards issued to Wade Small and Chris Brunt in the 3-1 defeat at Coventry. Wade was shown a straight red card for lashing out at Michael Doyle and Brunt was dismissed for a professional foul on Chris Birchall. \"I feel Small has a legitimate excuse,\" boss Brian Laws told the club website. \"If every man could put himself in that situation, you could understand him reacting as he did.\"

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