As part of Jones new look team were a number of signings. Highly rated Jacques Maghoma came on a free from fast rising Burton Albion, former Hull defender Kamil Zayatte returned to English football on a free, whilst Austrian/Albanian/Kosovan beanpole Atdhe Nuhiu, who had previously scored against Aston Villa in a UEFA Cup game joined from Rapid Wien. Loanee Jeremy Helan made his move from Manchester City permanent, whilst youngster Rafael Floro made a free transfer move from FC Porto.
Preseason consisted of a few local friendlies and another trip to Portugal for matches against Sporting Braga and Hull City(!). Then on a warm July evening we entertained Scottish friends Rangers. The Owls winning 1-0 with a goal from Antonio. Mixing in the pubs with the Gers pre game there was a real partisan feel. The rangers fans filled leppings lane and made it a real site to behold.
Our final warm up tie saw Atdhe Nuhiu debut in a game that finished Chesterfield 1-1 Owls. Maguire betting a last minute equaliser in a poor tie.
17th Aug - Leeds 1-1 Owls
After successive defeats in our opening two games we earned our first point of the season in Leeds. Zayatte’s opener cancelled out by McCormack in the second half where we hung on for grim life!
31st Aug - Spence loan
West Ham fullback Jordan Spence, husband of actress Naomi Scott, signed on a months loan to cover for the injured Lewis Buxton. He makes his debut the same day.
10th Sep - Taylor Out
A year after joining the club the poor Martin Taylor leaves to join Brentford on a months loan. He retires at the end of the season. Money well spent Dave Jones.
14th Sep - Owls 1-1 Yeovil
Atdhe Nuhiu netted his first Hillsborough goal however we were unable to break down a Yeovil team reduced to ten men in the first half, a fourth successive draw. Why always Yeovil?
16th Sep - Roger Johnson Loan
Wolves centre half Roger Johnson joins on three months loan. He makes his debut in a 4-1 defeat at Birmingham - Manchester United prospect Jesse Lingard scores all four. The game featured three Wednesday Johnson’s, Roger, Reda and Jermaine all on the pitch at the same time, to some amusement. Republic of Ireland international midfielder Stephen McPhail also made his debut after joining on a free as an out of contract player.
28th Sep - Owls 0-1 Doncaster Rovers
If you were paying attention I think you’ll remember that I scored a couple of goals in this game. Winning the twitter competition to take part in a SRSB penalty shootout.
I scored two. James the other winner pipped me with three.
The game was forgettable with Frederico Macheda scoring the only goal.
Striker Matty Fryatt makes his debut as a substitute having joined on loan from Hull City. He joins the squad just as Gary Madine is sent to prison for 18 months for general dickheadary. He is released from prison 5 months later
15th Oct - Martinez loan
Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez joins on loan. Clearly lacking experience.
26th Oct - Midfield Recruit
More desperate transfer activity from Jones? Winless Wednesday sign out of contract veteran Nigeria midfielder Seyi Olofinjana on a free.
1st Nov - Wickham’s Back!
Sunderland striker Connor Wickham rejoins the club on loan vowing he had unfinished business!
2nd Nov - Owls 5-2 Reading
13 games into the season and we claim our first victory! The new partnership between Fryatt and Wickham instantly bearing fruit with three goals between them. We had drawn eight of the previous 12 league ties.
Reading was to be the last home victory Dave Jones oversaw! He was sacked after losing the next three games culminating in a lacklustre 2-0 defeat in Blackpool. He had just allowed fringe players Chris Maguire and Caolan Lavery to leave on loan - to Coventry and Plymouth respectively. The good news is we faced high flying Leicester City next.
3rd Dec - Owls 2-1 Leicester City
Dutch defender Glenn Loovens signs on a free transfer then plays as Wednesday turn in their best performance of the season to beat the foxes, Connor Wickham scoring both goals as first team coach Stuart Gray took temporary charge.
18th Dec - Owls A-A Wigan - Abandoned
In a fierce storm the tie is abandoned after 59 minutes with the visitors leading one nil.
1st Jan - Owls 2-0 Blackpool
Third home win of the season. Wickham and the recalled Maguire with the goals as we welcomed in the new year still under the charge of Stuart Gray.
7th Jan - Deji Oshilaja loan
Cardiff City youngster Oshilaja signs on a short term loan. He looks a little lost. He would return later in the season as a stop gap.
11th Jan - Owls 6-0 Leeds
One the the single greatest results in recent Wednesday history. Where did it come from? Who knows. This was hardly a sparkling Leeds side but the demolition job by Wednesday was a joy to behold. Réda Johnson gave us the lead and Nuhiu doubled it just before half time. A stray Matt Smith elbow saw Leeds reduced to ten men before Wednesday ran riot as goals from Wickham, Maguire and a late brace from Lavery wrapped up the fine victory.
On the same day we announced the signing of USA international central defender Oguchi Onyewu, formerly of Newcastle, AC Milan and Sporting Lisbon, from QPR on a free.
14th Jan - Owls 4-1 Macclesfield
Wednesday made it ten goals in three days as strikes from Maguire, Maghoma, Jermaine Johnson and Llera helped us see off lowly Macclesfield in this FA Cup third round replay.
30th Jan - Afobe In
With Connor Wickham's loan up Wednesday returned to the market to bring in young Arsenal forward Benik Afobe until the end of the season.
1st Feb - Owls 1-0 Barnsley
Stuart Gray has added defensive stability and organisation to the side but at the expense of attacking flair. Despite being down to ten men from the half hour mark the dingles held Wednesday back. Jermaine Johnson then levelled the playing field with his 80th minute dismissal. Jacob Mellis handed us the advantage again with his 91st minute red card.
And then jubilation! The ultimate shithouse Maguire blasts in a 97th minute scorcher to change the moods of the departing fans!
11th Feb - Owls 0-3 Wigan Athletic
After the first clash was rained off we fared little better in this re-arranged fixture as the Latics came out on top in the first ever Hillsborough league clash between these sides. Two first half goals from Nicky Maynard and a late Fortune strike saw our visitors go home happy.
14th Feb - Reinforcements
Stuart Gray sent for reinforcements in the shape of Leon Best (what’s this his third/fourth spell) from Blackburn, and midfielders Gary Gardner from Aston Villa and Sam Hutchinson from Chelsea. Young goalkeeper Cameron Dawson has just left to finish the season on loan with Plymouth Argyle.
18th Feb - Owls 0-1 Derby County
Patrick Bamford's goal saw our promotion chasing visitors take the points. We were second best throughout and second half we were literally hanging on until the only goal of the game settled it.
24th Feb - Owls 1-2 Charlton
Wednesday’s re-arranged cup tie with Charlton Athletic saw us lose out to a goal clearly hand balled by Church for the visitors, although truth be told we were pretty second best throughout. Leon Best scores our goal.
27th Mar - Clearing Out
At the end of March Stuart Gray shipped out several players in need of game time - David Prutton left for Coventry City, Gary Madine (now out of prison) returned to Carlisle whilst Rhys McCabe joined Portsmouth - all on loans for the remainder of the season. Young goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith joins Alfreton Town on a months loan
29th Mar - Owls 1-4 Watford
WHY CANT WATFORD JUST GET PROMOTED!
How come every season they come to Hillsborough and roll us over again and again! Troy Deeney and Lewis McGugan amongst the scorers. Afobe pulled one back for us at four down.
12th Apr - Owls 3-3 Blackburn Rovers
My daughters first game. Having pulled clear of any real relegation fears I though it was time to introduce my youngest to the earth shattering disappointment that is football!
That man again Jordan Rhodes scores on fifteen minutes with what seemed like his first touch. Lewis Buxton scored an equaliser however the visitors then raced into a three one lead. Athdhe Nuhiu pulled a goal back on 72 minutes.
Atdhe completed his brace with a late late equaliser. The marmite striker proving his worth on this occasion.
21st Apr - Owls 2-3 Charlton
Racing into a two goal lead inside ten minutes thanks to goals from Nuhiu and Maguire I didn’t expect the collapse that followed as Charlton secured their second Hillsborough victory of the season thanks to a Marvin Sordell hat-trick. In fairness we couldn’t get near him all game.
The season finished with defeats at home to Bolton and away at Ipswich. A bit of a damp squib you might say, as such.
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