2015/16 - Stirring the giant

New Wednesday owner Deijphon Chansiri set about remoulding the club in his image with the announcement of his transfer committee. This group would be responsible for the the comings and going on the football side and would be made up of himself, head coach Stuart Gray, Glenn Roeder and former Leeds director Adam Pearson. This group was responsible for such signings as Dutch central defender Darryl Lachman.

The transfer committee was disbanded almost as quickly as it came together, and soon head coach Stuart Gray was also harshly dispensed with. As sad as I was to see Gray go given the job he had done with little resources it had a feeling of inevitability about it. Chansiri then allegedly formed a close association with sports agency Doyen, in a move that would controversially impact upon the clubs transfer activities for the next few years. 

So who would replace Stuart Gray - of course it was the little known Portuguese manager Carlos Carvalhal. After attempts to bring in several other targets including some bloke from Swindon and other British coaches news of the out of work Carlos began leaking out on local social media. He was officially appointed on 30th June. 

Pre-season was largely forgettable with the first chance to see Carlos and his (Chansiri’s) recruits was Owls in The Park. On a blistering warm Sunday afternoon Wednesday fans turned out to see playing staff new and old. 

On show were new signings Marco Matias, Lewis Price, Ross Wallace, Vincent Sasso, Jack Hunt, Alex Lopez and Lewis McGugan who returned permanently. 

It was also the end of an era with long serving fullback Lewis Buxton leaving. Also departing were Giles Coke, Paul Corry, Gary Madine, Jacques Maghoma, Joe Mattock, Rhys McCabe, Kamil Zayatte, Chris Kirkland and lovable rogue Chris Maguire. 

Wednesday further strengthened ahead of the season opener with the additions of Lucas Joao, Rhoys Wiggins and Modou Sougou. 

Anybody else excited!!!

8th Aug - Owls 2-0 Bristol City

The Carlos era got off to a flyer as the new look owls, boasting five summer signings in the starting line up, comfortably beat newly promoted Bristol City in the Hillsborough sunshine. Tom Lees opened the scoring and McGugan wrapped up the victory with a smart finish from a Ross Wallace cross. Great stuff!

11th Aug - Owls 4-1 Mansfield

A few days later a much changed line up saw Carlos give five full debuts to players. In what was a routine victory by a Wednesday reserve IX there was a real collectors item - a goal for veteran Jose Semedo! The game also saw first goals for Joao and Sougou, whilst Kieran Lee was also on the scoresheet. 

Transfer Bonanza!

At the end of August Wednesday strengthened the squad further with the loan signings of Michael Turner from Norwich and Watford fullback Daniel Pudil. Whilst Barry Bannan and Fernando Forestieri joined on permanent transfers. 

26th Sept - Brentford 1-2 Owls

Having gone six without a league victory since the opening day we went and won two in a row against southern opposition. We throughly enjoyed our day in London - Nuhiu dispatching a penalty following Tarkowski’s red card. Jeremy Helan was shown two yellows just after the hour, resulting in future Wednesday target Alan Judge notching an equaliser. But the impressive Joao broke through in added on time to notch the winner! 

3rd Oct - Owls 3-1 Preston

We followed the Brentford victory up with another to make it three in a row on a sunny October afternoon. Kieran Lee put us ahead just before halftime and Pudil doubled the lead in the second half. Preston pulled a goal back and put us under real pressure but having pushed everyone up for a last minute corner Lewis McGugan ensured the victory by chipping the retreating Preston goalkeeper Jordan Pickford from the half way line. 

27th Oct - Owls 3-0 Arsenal

Oh what a night! After 15 years in the doldrums we finally had a really big night to remember. Wednesday romped home against a mixed Arsenal side who had Petr Czech in goal, Debuchy, World Cup winner Per Mertesaker, Chambers, Gibbs, Flamini, Kamara, Trinidad World Cup hero Campbell, Ox-Chamberlain, Iwobi and Giroud. Throw in Theo Walcott who came off the bench to get injured and that’s a fairly strong reserve side. The Arsenal could not cope with our intensity and we took the lead through a superb Ross Wallace strike. Lucas Joao found the net just before half time and Sam Hutchinson bundled in a third just into the second half to make Hillsborough rock like it hadn’t in a long long time. 

In other positive news Wednesday announced the signing of Gary Hooper initially on loan, from Norwich, after protracted negotiations.

3rd Nov - Owls 0-0 Brighton

Wednesday played out a creditable goalless draw with Brighton in the midweek tie. A fine example of two good sides cancelling each other out in what was possibly a sign of things to come...

6th Dec - Owls 0-0 Derby

Having failed to win a game in November we started December goalless. We missed out on a chance to go back into the play off places but held third placed Derby at arms length. 

20th Dec - Owls 4-1 Wolves

One of my favourite ties of the season! We started slowly and after overplaying at the back gifted Afobe the opportunity to put Wolves ahead from the penalty spot. Wednesday came storming back however and equalised with a penalty of our own - Forestieri on the scoresheet. He then doubled our lead five minutes later. In the second half a sweeping team move that was one of my favourite goals of the season saw Hooper flick the ball back to Pudil who adjust his feet and found the top corner of the net! Gary Hooper scored a fourth to ensure we won our first game in five and to give us a first home victory over Wolves in forever!

9th Jan - Owls 2-1 Fulham

We secured our third win of the season over Fulham and second victory in a week over our opponents in this FA Cup third round tie!

January Transfers

Looking to kick on Wednesday added full back Joe Bennet and winger Aiden McGeady to the squad whilst the loans of Jack Hunt and Gary Hooper were made permanent. Meanwhile Darryl Lachman, Sergiou Bus, Jeremy Helan, Claude Dielna and Rhoys Wiggins we’re aloud to leave the club in loans and permanent deals. 

2nd Feb - Owls 1-1 Burnley

Wednesday put in a strong showing against promotion chasing Burnley. Andre Gray put the visitors one up before a second half leveller from Kieran Lee. We got a point but deserved more with Nuhiu playing particularly well.

13th Feb - Owls 4-0 Brentford

This tie was influenced early on when Brentford defender Barbet was sent off after five minutes for pulling Hooper back. After 12 minutes Forestieri gave us the lead, then an excellent finish from Hooper following Westwood’s long pass doubled the lead on the half hour. Lee wrapped it up on the stroke of half time, and substitute Lucas Joao scored a great fourth for the owls on 89 minutes to put gloss on the score line. 

5th Mar - Owls 0-1 Rotherham United

Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard! Wednesday were out fought in this local derby. Rotherham with a team of hard working blokes continued their good record at Hillsborough, despite late Wednesday pressure. Four games without a win meant we needed a good run to kick on!

30th Apr - Owls 3-0 Cardiff

After four games without a win Wednesday were in danger of making a late slip from the play off a places. We took on Cardiff who, with a victory, could have closed the gap on our sixth place position to 1 point going into the final game!

After a goalless first half Gary Hooper followed up a rebound to give us the lead. A defensive error led to an own goal for the visitors on 75 minutes before Hooper wrapped up the contest in injury time to absolutely guarantee a play off spot with a game to spare!

7th May - Wolves 2-1 Owls

Carlos made 11 changes to his starting line up for the trip to Wolves and handed Jose Semedo the captains armband. It was expected to be his last game in the blue and white. Our lack of cohesion was exposed early on and we soon fell behind - Turner looked particularly poor. We went in at half time two goals down. 

Wolves were on the beach for the most of the second half, however we were awarded a penalty in the last minute. Despite calls from the large travelling contingent for Semedo to take it forgotten man Lewis McGugan stepped up and tucked the spot kick away.

After the game the away fans stayed to applaud the players involved and there was a large round of “We’ll never forget Semedo” - It would have been a fitting tribute. 

Onto the Play-Offs!

Brighton had missed out on automatic promotion on goal difference to Middlesbrough, who went up courtesy of a Jordan Rhodes goal. 

13th May - Owls 2-0 Brighton

The big game! An injury hit Brighton came at Wednesday from the off, however on the day Wednesday rode our luck and took our chances! Forestieri put the ball into the net on the rebound but it was ruled out for a tight offside, however we were in front on the stroke of half time courtesy of Ross Wallace!

An excellent move and finish from Kieran Lee on 73 minutes gave us an important two goal cushion against a Brighton side who, despite heavy pressure, were out fought by Wednesday.  The Wednesday fans even brought out the lights in a show of appreciation on another great night at Hillsborough!

16th May - Brighton 1-1 Owls

Watching the tie on TV I have never had to leave a room to calm down like I did against Brighton. I was having palpitations as Brighton peppered the Wednesday goal. It was an endless stream of chances as we struggled to hold them back! 

Lewis Dunk finally gave them the lead after nineteen minutes. Typical Wednesday!

But then after barely keeping the ball Ross Wallace popped up with an equaliser! Talk about against the run of play! Replays suggested that there was a foul during the goal but it stood. That took the wind out of Brighton’s sails a little. 

The second half was a lot tighter affair. Wednesday got to grips with Brighton’s play and despite still conceding a few chances we held on for a draw and a 3-1 aggregate victory! 

We were going to Wembley! 

Telling my kids to soak it all up as these days don’t come around often!  Wembley way. Packed with smiling Wednesday fans.The coach journey, soaking up the atmosphere. 

I met up with old friends who I hadn’t seen for some time. I had arranged to sit with our usual gang from the kop, behind the goal. My wife however was sat elsewhere in the stadium as our daughter didn’t have enough priority points to get a ticket until general sale. 

Having wandered around the area before kick off, checked out the fan park, seen the bus make the drive from the players hotel, and wandered across with some tinnies to the party on the green excitement was building. 

Looking at the stats we had drawn with every side in the play offs during the campaign. Hull had looked a strong side in the league encounters and probably had the better squad on paper. And it was our old chum Steve Bruce managing against us again. 

In the white hot heat of the Wembley we kicked off. Instant pressure from Hull. Relentless pressure. Much like the Brighton second leg it appeared we weren’t quite at it. Our big game players were fairly ineffective, nulled by the Hull tactics. Goalless at half time, mainly due to some good goalkeeping from Westwood. 

Second half was much the same, although we pressed a little more. Then the one moment of magic in the game - Diame spotted Westwood off of his line and smashed a shot from distance over his head. We huffed and puffed and carved out a few half chances but Hull were never struggling. Tactically we had gotten it wrong and the players hadn’t delivered their normal level of performance. Carlos and Atdhe cried on the pitch. We stayed behind like many others to salute the players for an excellent season where we had fallen short at the final hurdle. Premier return ticket not yet checked in. 

28th May - Hull 1-0 Owls

What more can I saw other than it was great atmosphere in Wembley. The fans were magnificent. We were down but not out. Bring on next season! We go again!

2014/15 - Enter Chansiri

Stuart Gray, as head coach, led Wednesday going into the 2014/15 season. The summer started with the leak that Azerbaijan billionaire Hafiz Mammadov had agreed to take over the club from Milan Mandaric. This claim was further strengthened when he sponsored the club shirt with his ‘Land of Fire’ brand, the same as was on the kits of Athletico Madrid! More on that later!

After steadying the ship Stuart Gray began strengthening the side. A number of young players joined to strengthen the academy side but the biggest captures were Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper Keiran Westwood, Leeds central defender Tom Lees and Chelsea defensive midfielder Sam Hutchinson, returning on a permanent deal having enjoyed his time on loan. 

A number of players were released this summer including Onyewu, Prutton, cult-hero Réda Johnson, Miguel Llera, Danny Mayor and Anthony Gardner. Also leaving the club after a long association was faster-than-bolt Jamaican winger Jermaine Johnson. 

Preseason included trips to York, Barnsley and Doncaster and a bizarre fixture where we faced Bury at Salford rugby club.

Our home pre-season warm up finished Owls 0-1 Newcastle - Ayoze Perez with the only goal of the game. 

6th Aug - Antoni-No!

I was in Cardiff the day I found out we had sold Michail Antonio. Genuinely the best player at the club and the only player with any pace. The reported £1.5M fee also was no where near his true valuation, so what was going on at the club? Things had gone quiet on the takeover front which you would think mean things are not quite right. 

9th Aug - May Stevie be with you

Stuart Gray used the Antonio money to sign Scottish striker Stevie May from St. Johnstone. He came with a big expectation. 

19th Aug - Owls 1-1 Millwall

After a shock win over Brighton on the opening day and a battling draw with Derby our early midweek fixture was at home to Millwall. We led just before the hour through Maguire, but couldn’t see the game out and allowed Millwall to grab a 95th minute equaliser. A decent start in the circumstances. 

30th Aug - Deadline Business

Wednesday sign french Defender Claude Dielna on a free transfer from Greek side Olympiakos. We also complete the loan signings of youngster Hallam Hope from Everton and Dutch former Ajax and Real Madrid winger Royston Drenthe, a player who was genuinely dubbed as the next big thing when he starred in the Under-21 European Championships for his national side. 

4th Sept - Collapse

On what was the clubs anniversary it was revealed that the elusive Mammadov’s proposed takeover had collapsed following money laundering allegations in his homeland. It would later emerge Wednesday had not received the payments for the shirt sponsorship either. 

18th Oct - Owls 0-3 Watford

Seriously Watford just go up! Another Hillsborough thrashing against the Hornets. Goals from Odion Ighalo, Almen Abdi and Vydra saw Watford run out easy winners. Form had just dipped after a steady but not spectacular start to the season. 

25th Oct - Taylor-Fletcher In

After several failed attempts we bring in Leicester's experienced striker Gary Taylor-Fletcher on loan in what would be come a bye-word for Wednesdayite’s everywhere. He played four games and scored zero goals. 

4th Nov - Owls 0-2 Bournemouth

This midweek defeat made it eight without a win. Having held our own against promotion chasing Bournemouth referee Mike Dean sent off Royston Drenthe on the hour. Nine minutes later we were two-nil down and the game was done. 

19th Nov - Enter Lewis McGugan

Lewis McGugan joined Wednesday on loan, and whilst clearly well short of match practice he clearly had talent above and beyond some of his temporary colleagues

29th Nov - Owls 2-1 Wigan

At last! Stevie May scored his first goal since the 1-0 Reading victory on 20th September - coincidentally our last victory! 

26th Dec - Owls 1-0 Blackpool

Having been smashed 4-0 at Fulham a few days before Wednesday battled for the victory courtesy of a Maguire penalty on a bog of a pitch that would have been better suited to park football. 

4th Jan - Man City 2-1 Owls

Wednesday fans travelled in number to our Premier League hosts Manchester City and those lucky folk were treated to Atdhe Nuhiu giving us the lead. A lead we held onto until the very end. Unfortunately City showed their class and were able to turn it and reverse the outcome in the tight encounter. 

29th Jan - Enter Chansiri

To little pre-warning news of a takeover by Thai businessman Deijphon Chansiri began to surface over the weekend after the owls had been held to a goalless draw by Birmingham City, culminating in an announcement the following Monday in a joint press conference between Milan Mandaric and Mr. Chansiri. During the press conference Chansiri, speaking through an interpreter, discussed how he would was targeting the Owls upcoming 150th anniversary to get the club back to the Premier League - was it finally time to cash the premier return ticket in? 

31st Jan - Deadline Day!

Traditionally deadline day for Wednesday revolves around the capture of an ageing journeyman who could do us a job, or trying to hold onto one or two of our better players. This time things were different. Wednesday splashed the cash on a mix of loan players and permanent signings. Romanian striker Sergiu Bus, Manchester United fullback Marnick Vermijl and Portuguese midfielder Filipe Melo joining permanently, whilst striker Will Keane again of Manchester United, Lewis McGugan returning and latterly winger Lloyd Isgrove of Southampton all made temporary switches. 

24th Feb - Millwall 1-3 Owls

Whilst working away in Guildford I decided to make the relatively short trip across to Millwall. I was treated to our first victory in 8 games. Goals from McGugan, Nuhiu and May were enough for us. 

21st Mar - Rotherham 2-3 Owls

In a game that has gone down in history Wednesday came out on top with the odd goal in five. The game had seen some pre-match needle in the shape of on-line taunting from a Rotherham player, that came back to bite in this tie. The Millers went one up early in the second half. A Lavery equaliser was cancelled out by Jordan Bowery a minute later, with what looked like a late winner. But the game quickly spun on its head as Nuhiu bagged a 93rd minute equaliser. Then eight into added on time Kieran Lee, revelling in a midfield role these days, made history to slide home the winner. The kit man ran the length of the pitch to celebrate and then the miller killer was born. 

4th Apr - Owls 1-1 Huddersfield 

A week later in a more tepid affair Wednesday’s foreign recruit scored his first (and eventually only) goal for the club. Bus scoring to give us an 86th minute lead only for it to be cancelled out Ishmael Miller three minutes later. 

18th Apr - Bournemouth 2-2 Owls

Promotion chasing Bournemouth were expecting a win to about wrap up the title against mid table Wednesday. And they went ahead on half hour through Steve Cook. But Wednesday battled back and Lee levelled six minutes later. Bournemouth led again in the second half but late in the game Maguire came up with another goal to send the travelling fans barmy in the southern England sunshine.

2nd May - Watford 1-1 Owls

After a disappointing last home game of the season Wednesday travelled to Watford who knew victory would guarantee them the title (handed to them by our late equaliser at Bournemouth, who sat in second). A strong squad boasting the likes of Deeney, Anya, Abdi, Forestieri and Ighalo went ahead through Vydra on 25 minutes. 

As the game progressed Watford became increasingly nervous and Wednesday began to create chances. Substitute Nuhiu took his chance in the 91st minute to send the travelling fans barmy again. And we were nearly not finished - the referee blowing for time as Lloyd Isgrove raced through deep into added time for what would have been a winner. It didn’t matter as we were stuck in mid table, however this result allowed Bournemouth to leap frog the home side on the final day. Incredible scenes. 

This summer we went into the break in the knowledge that we had the backing of a super-rich owner, and a manager who for me had shown himself to be an astute and steady pair of hands. The January signings had not particularly achieved what we had hoped, but the main thought for most was that we had to keep hold of McGugan. 

The future looked bright.

2013/14 - Change, and not a moment too soon!

After avoiding relegation on the final day of the season Dave Jones set about remodelling his squad further. Julian Bennet and Chris Lines were released along with veteran goalkeepers Nicky Weaver and Stephen Bywater. Chris O’Grady made a permanent switch to Barnsley as part of his world tour of Yorkshire, flop Nec Pečnik was released from his contract, and Danny Mayor joined Bury on a season long loan to little fan fair. The only other notable transfer out was highly rated youngster, whom the academy had very high hopes for, Hayden White walked out on the club to join Bolton at the end of his deal. 

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. 

Disconcertingly during the summer owls chairman Milan Mandaric revealed that the club was losing £5M a year and that he was actively looking for a buyer.

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.