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Everton 1 Sheffield Wednesday 1
The wooden spoon is won...........The Owls just couldnt turn draws into enough wins. Competitive under Marsh but lacking in quality to win enough football matches. Overall caretaker Marsh ended with a record of Won 2, Drawn 10, and lost 6. 16 points from 18 games at an average of 0.89 points per game. The Bradwells managed 11 points from 20 games at an average 0.55 points per game so its clear where the blame of relegation sits.
This game was another one the Owls could have won and they would have nicked 19th place. Leading through an Engels goal in the 13th minute they held on until the 87th minute before again collapsing and losing another win.
Liverpool 1 - 0 Sheffield Wednesday
The Owls would play out their penultimate game of the season away at Liverpool with only the avoidance of wooden spoon and possibly a slightly better prize money at stake should they creep above Watford. With that in mind The Owls without Tierney in defence opted to try and get a point from the game with one eye on possibly beating Everton on the last game of the season.
The plan did not really go well with a shot count of 16-3 showing that playing defensively with a poor side does not limit the chances enough. Wednesday may have robbed a point had it not been for an injury to A_Gunn.
Caretaker Marsh commented "We did what we felt was needed to try and finish 19th. It would have been easy to go out and play for abs but I am not sure the other title chasing managers would have enjoyed another walk over win for Liverpool that they got against Watford so we tried to be competitive for both ourselves and others. All we can do now is try and beat Everton and hope Watford lose the last game although the task looks extremely unlikely with two defensive players missing".
Sheffield Wednesday 1 Barnsley 1
Last chance saloon for the Owls in the south yorkshire derby..............Sheffield Wednesday are relegated!!!
The Owls took an early lead and Marsh tried to protect it by bringing on a 5th defender, perhaps not expecting the side to score so early. Barnsley replied and time ran out with the score ending 1-1. A shot count of 14-9 could have brought so much more but it was tears at the end as the Barnsley faithful mocked their neighbours misfortune.
Care-taker manager Simon Marsh commented "It was always likely to come but it dosnt make it any easier for the club, staff and fans to accept. Its a dark day but its not the end, the club can grow again and come back one day. I guess the target now is to avoid the wooden spoon".
Chelsea 3 - 0 Sheffield Wednesday
With victories needed Marsh opted to freshen up the tactics in the hope it could bring the playing fields a little closer. The result was an easy win for Chelsea and with West Ham and Burnley winning Wednesday's fate is almost sealed. 7 points from safety The Owls must win their last three games.
To make matters worse Tierney got a last minute yellow card that rules him out for the remainder of the season.
Marsh commented "We had to try but the club is short of quality and a 20-9 shot count was always going to be asking for trouble. At the end of the day its been a hard slog for the side and the season needs closure. Its likely to be relegation and then the squad needs sorting out to give it a decent future".
Sheffield Wednesday 1 - 1 Southampton
With 5 games to go a wins needed the Owls would pit their wits against champions league chasing Southampton. Wednesday would have slightly the better of the game with a 12-8 shot count but Isak cancelled out Verons opener and the game ended 1-1.
Anxious wait for final scores elsewhere would breathe more life into the campaign. The gap has been reduced to 4 points now with 4 games still to play.
The last four games are
Chelsea (a)
Barnsley (h)
Liverpool (a)
Everton (a)
Its not going to be easy on the road with probably 8 points needed to give the side a chance of staying up.
Newcastle United 3 - 2 Sheffield Wednesday
With time running out the Owls travelled north for another cup final. Newcastle flew into a 2-goal lead S_Canales (7), D_McNeil (13) and it looked like it was all over. However, the Owls fought back through goals from G_Veron (58), O_Watkins (64) and a chance for another win was on the cards. Unfortunately S_Canales (84) scored again and Wednesday were resigned to a defeat that leaves them so close to the relegation trapdoor.
New from elsewhere gave the Owls hope but we are now down to 5 points difference with only 5 games left.
Care-taker Marsh commented "We almost got a great point but its not looking great now with only 2 home games left and only 2 very difficult away games still".
If Wednesday do go down as expected then all players have made the minutes to be retained and the club will start with 23 players with none leaving.
Care-taker Marsh added "It I am still here then 1 or 2 youths will be promoted to the first team and a few older players will be instantly gone. Its been difficult to manoever much this season with few teams having more than 23 players and the transfer marker has been muted. We can make strides to drastically lower the age of the squad because having a side 13 players of 30years plus is unsustainable. We will see what happends but a new manager could be in place by close season".
Sheffield Wednesday 1 Crystal Palace 1
This was a big game for the Owls with a home game against a premier league strugglers. Sadly with E_Dier and N_Zaniolo both absent it would make the chances of victory much slimmer.
An Engels own goal gifted Palace the lead and they were not able to equalise until the 77th minute through Targett. Overall Wednesday could have nicked the game with a 14-10 shot count.
One point keeps the league point ticking over and the gap to survival reduces to 5 points but time is running out with only 18 points to play with.
Wednesday have been open to making some last minute deals but nothing to talk about as of yet.
Wendell needs only 7 more minutes of playing time for all players to meet their requirements to be retained next season.
Aston Villa 0 - 1 Sheffield Wednesday
This one was a dirty struggle of a game that Wednesday had to dig deep to hold onto. A great start through H_Mkhitaryan (4) making his first start under Marsh resulted in Villa pressure. A double sending off meant the game was playing out 10 v 10 with Dier getting his marching orders for the Owls. Hold on though did Wednesday for back to back wins.
Caretaker manager Simon Marsh commented "Well well well. We didnt expect another win with a weakened outfit but that is huge and keeps the season alive. Six points from safety, with 21 points still to play for. We probably need another 13-14 points to have a chance so the chances are massively against us but we live to fight on".
Wendell 338/ 360 = 4.38 minutes per game is the only player who now needs minutes.
Sheffield Wednesday 3 - 0 Blackburn Rovers
Finally a victory for the Owls. They have played well enough to win a game under Marsh but have found a lack of quality meaning the side not always getting a result. However, finally shots went in and the defence played admirably. A shot count of 11-3 was a very good performance and an even better result against a Rovers who are chasing the champions league places. H_Calhanoglu (26), G_Veron (29,83) scored the goals and the home side could also afford to miss a penalty.
Caretaker Marsh spoke "What a great boost for the club. Finances in order and three points that gives the club some respect back. 8 games and 24 points still to fight for. 7 points the gap to safety. In all honesty it is going to take a huge run of form to avoid relegation but the club will fight to the end. It took me 10 games to finally get a win here, hopefully this will lead to a few more"
Indeed Marsh now has a record of 1-6-3. 9 points from 10 games =0.9 points per game in comparison to Bradwells 11 points from 20 games at 0.55 points per game.
Great news also that all but one player has now made their minutes for being retained for the season. Wendell needs just 35 minutes from the last 8 games.
However, news for the next few games was bad. N_Zaniolo still has 2 more games of his 3-match suspension to complete. Joining him on the naughty bench was H_Calhanoglu who now serves a 1-match ban meaning both attacking midfielders will miss the next fixture and the club is severely weakened for the game.
Wednesday sign Muriel
With cash needed to see the club remain solvent for the remainder of the campaign Wednesday made the move to purchase Muriel for £15,00,000. The deal allowed the squad numbers available to sell Hogan for £20,000,000 thus making £5m. The bank balance sits at over £8m now so with media work Wednesday should have enough to see them through. It has been a struggle getting Hogan the minutes he needed to be retained and the team was unable to play their best attacking players for half a game since Marsh came to the club. Although it goes against the caretaking rules to take the club one-year older the deal is in the best interest of the club. SHN is predicted to reduce at the end of the season and so the club have taken some value now using a misty crystal ball.
Leeds United 2 - 1 Sheffield Wednesday
Another game without a win for Wednesday which wasnt unexpected when away to a title contender. Wednesday did compete for a 23-13 shot count gave the home side a deserving win. Veron scored the goal for the Owls. With all the sides above Wednesday also struggling a couple of wins could kick-start an attempt at staying up but the club has simply forgotten how.
Care-taker manager Simon Marsh commented "Without Tierney it was never easy playing this game with four defenders. It would always mean Leeds getting plenty of chances and we needed a big game from Dunn really. Its another nail in the coffiin".
Financial news did not help the club this week when the coffers were reduced to £3m again. Marsh had managed to stave off red numbers with engineering £3m profit from a keeper trade. It looks like further money will need to be raised to get through to the end of the season. No fewer than 9 clubs are currently sat in the red all needing to get back in the black this week when trading is difficult due to most squads being at 23.
Player minutes wise things are looking bright now.
Danilo needs only 21 more.
Wendell needs only 57more.
Hogan needs 251 more
Mendy needs only 5 more.
Sheffield Wednesday 1 - 1 Manchester United
When Dier scored against the run of play Wednesday were threatening to finally win a game but the lead lasted only 3 minutes and a 1-1 scoreline. Wednesday to be fair in this game were outplayed for the majority against a side chasing the title.
Caretaker manager Simon Marsh record stands at Played 8 Won 0 Drawn 6 lost 2. 0.75 points per game as opposed to 0.55 under the Bradwell management.
Danilo needs 98 at 9.80 per game
Wendell needs 78 at 7.80 per game
Hogan needs 297 at 29.70 per game
Mendy needs 16 at 1.60 per game.
Sheffield Wednesday 0 West Ham United 0
Wednesday have just forgotten how to win! Despite losing Tierney to a red card in the first half they still outplayed the Hammers but could not find the goal for the elusive win they need. Another draw gives Marsh 5 draws and 2 losses in his 7 games. A 13-8 shot count just shows the club lacks the cutting edge at times to win the games. Tierney is now suspended for 2 games which will at least give more playing time to Danilo and Wendell.
All but 4 players are now being retained next season after an aggressive use of fringe players to clear up the mess inherited.
Danilo needs 174 at 15.81 per game
Wendell needs 95 at 8.64 per game
Hogan needs 336 at 30.55 per game
Mendy needs 28 at 2.54 per game.
The wooden spoon is won...........The Owls just couldnt turn draws into enough wins. Competitive under Marsh but lacking in quality to win enough football matches. Overall caretaker Marsh ended with a record of Won 2, Drawn 10, and lost 6. 16 points from 18 games at an average of 0.89 points per game. The Bradwells managed 11 points from 20 games at an average 0.55 points per game so its clear where the blame of relegation sits.
This game was another one the Owls could have won and they would have nicked 19th place. Leading through an Engels goal in the 13th minute they held on until the 87th minute before again collapsing and losing another win.
Liverpool 1 - 0 Sheffield Wednesday
The Owls would play out their penultimate game of the season away at Liverpool with only the avoidance of wooden spoon and possibly a slightly better prize money at stake should they creep above Watford. With that in mind The Owls without Tierney in defence opted to try and get a point from the game with one eye on possibly beating Everton on the last game of the season.
The plan did not really go well with a shot count of 16-3 showing that playing defensively with a poor side does not limit the chances enough. Wednesday may have robbed a point had it not been for an injury to A_Gunn.
Caretaker Marsh commented "We did what we felt was needed to try and finish 19th. It would have been easy to go out and play for abs but I am not sure the other title chasing managers would have enjoyed another walk over win for Liverpool that they got against Watford so we tried to be competitive for both ourselves and others. All we can do now is try and beat Everton and hope Watford lose the last game although the task looks extremely unlikely with two defensive players missing".
Sheffield Wednesday 1 Barnsley 1
Last chance saloon for the Owls in the south yorkshire derby..............Sheffield Wednesday are relegated!!!
The Owls took an early lead and Marsh tried to protect it by bringing on a 5th defender, perhaps not expecting the side to score so early. Barnsley replied and time ran out with the score ending 1-1. A shot count of 14-9 could have brought so much more but it was tears at the end as the Barnsley faithful mocked their neighbours misfortune.
Care-taker manager Simon Marsh commented "It was always likely to come but it dosnt make it any easier for the club, staff and fans to accept. Its a dark day but its not the end, the club can grow again and come back one day. I guess the target now is to avoid the wooden spoon".
Chelsea 3 - 0 Sheffield Wednesday
With victories needed Marsh opted to freshen up the tactics in the hope it could bring the playing fields a little closer. The result was an easy win for Chelsea and with West Ham and Burnley winning Wednesday's fate is almost sealed. 7 points from safety The Owls must win their last three games.
To make matters worse Tierney got a last minute yellow card that rules him out for the remainder of the season.
Marsh commented "We had to try but the club is short of quality and a 20-9 shot count was always going to be asking for trouble. At the end of the day its been a hard slog for the side and the season needs closure. Its likely to be relegation and then the squad needs sorting out to give it a decent future".
Sheffield Wednesday 1 - 1 Southampton
With 5 games to go a wins needed the Owls would pit their wits against champions league chasing Southampton. Wednesday would have slightly the better of the game with a 12-8 shot count but Isak cancelled out Verons opener and the game ended 1-1.
Anxious wait for final scores elsewhere would breathe more life into the campaign. The gap has been reduced to 4 points now with 4 games still to play.
The last four games are
Chelsea (a)
Barnsley (h)
Liverpool (a)
Everton (a)
Its not going to be easy on the road with probably 8 points needed to give the side a chance of staying up.
Newcastle United 3 - 2 Sheffield Wednesday
With time running out the Owls travelled north for another cup final. Newcastle flew into a 2-goal lead S_Canales (7), D_McNeil (13) and it looked like it was all over. However, the Owls fought back through goals from G_Veron (58), O_Watkins (64) and a chance for another win was on the cards. Unfortunately S_Canales (84) scored again and Wednesday were resigned to a defeat that leaves them so close to the relegation trapdoor.
New from elsewhere gave the Owls hope but we are now down to 5 points difference with only 5 games left.
Care-taker Marsh commented "We almost got a great point but its not looking great now with only 2 home games left and only 2 very difficult away games still".
If Wednesday do go down as expected then all players have made the minutes to be retained and the club will start with 23 players with none leaving.
Care-taker Marsh added "It I am still here then 1 or 2 youths will be promoted to the first team and a few older players will be instantly gone. Its been difficult to manoever much this season with few teams having more than 23 players and the transfer marker has been muted. We can make strides to drastically lower the age of the squad because having a side 13 players of 30years plus is unsustainable. We will see what happends but a new manager could be in place by close season".
Sheffield Wednesday 1 Crystal Palace 1
This was a big game for the Owls with a home game against a premier league strugglers. Sadly with E_Dier and N_Zaniolo both absent it would make the chances of victory much slimmer.
An Engels own goal gifted Palace the lead and they were not able to equalise until the 77th minute through Targett. Overall Wednesday could have nicked the game with a 14-10 shot count.
One point keeps the league point ticking over and the gap to survival reduces to 5 points but time is running out with only 18 points to play with.
Wednesday have been open to making some last minute deals but nothing to talk about as of yet.
Wendell needs only 7 more minutes of playing time for all players to meet their requirements to be retained next season.
Aston Villa 0 - 1 Sheffield Wednesday
This one was a dirty struggle of a game that Wednesday had to dig deep to hold onto. A great start through H_Mkhitaryan (4) making his first start under Marsh resulted in Villa pressure. A double sending off meant the game was playing out 10 v 10 with Dier getting his marching orders for the Owls. Hold on though did Wednesday for back to back wins.
Caretaker manager Simon Marsh commented "Well well well. We didnt expect another win with a weakened outfit but that is huge and keeps the season alive. Six points from safety, with 21 points still to play for. We probably need another 13-14 points to have a chance so the chances are massively against us but we live to fight on".
Wendell 338/ 360 = 4.38 minutes per game is the only player who now needs minutes.
Sheffield Wednesday 3 - 0 Blackburn Rovers
Finally a victory for the Owls. They have played well enough to win a game under Marsh but have found a lack of quality meaning the side not always getting a result. However, finally shots went in and the defence played admirably. A shot count of 11-3 was a very good performance and an even better result against a Rovers who are chasing the champions league places. H_Calhanoglu (26), G_Veron (29,83) scored the goals and the home side could also afford to miss a penalty.
Caretaker Marsh spoke "What a great boost for the club. Finances in order and three points that gives the club some respect back. 8 games and 24 points still to fight for. 7 points the gap to safety. In all honesty it is going to take a huge run of form to avoid relegation but the club will fight to the end. It took me 10 games to finally get a win here, hopefully this will lead to a few more"
Indeed Marsh now has a record of 1-6-3. 9 points from 10 games =0.9 points per game in comparison to Bradwells 11 points from 20 games at 0.55 points per game.
Great news also that all but one player has now made their minutes for being retained for the season. Wendell needs just 35 minutes from the last 8 games.
However, news for the next few games was bad. N_Zaniolo still has 2 more games of his 3-match suspension to complete. Joining him on the naughty bench was H_Calhanoglu who now serves a 1-match ban meaning both attacking midfielders will miss the next fixture and the club is severely weakened for the game.
Wednesday sign Muriel
With cash needed to see the club remain solvent for the remainder of the campaign Wednesday made the move to purchase Muriel for £15,00,000. The deal allowed the squad numbers available to sell Hogan for £20,000,000 thus making £5m. The bank balance sits at over £8m now so with media work Wednesday should have enough to see them through. It has been a struggle getting Hogan the minutes he needed to be retained and the team was unable to play their best attacking players for half a game since Marsh came to the club. Although it goes against the caretaking rules to take the club one-year older the deal is in the best interest of the club. SHN is predicted to reduce at the end of the season and so the club have taken some value now using a misty crystal ball.
Leeds United 2 - 1 Sheffield Wednesday
Another game without a win for Wednesday which wasnt unexpected when away to a title contender. Wednesday did compete for a 23-13 shot count gave the home side a deserving win. Veron scored the goal for the Owls. With all the sides above Wednesday also struggling a couple of wins could kick-start an attempt at staying up but the club has simply forgotten how.
Care-taker manager Simon Marsh commented "Without Tierney it was never easy playing this game with four defenders. It would always mean Leeds getting plenty of chances and we needed a big game from Dunn really. Its another nail in the coffiin".
Financial news did not help the club this week when the coffers were reduced to £3m again. Marsh had managed to stave off red numbers with engineering £3m profit from a keeper trade. It looks like further money will need to be raised to get through to the end of the season. No fewer than 9 clubs are currently sat in the red all needing to get back in the black this week when trading is difficult due to most squads being at 23.
Player minutes wise things are looking bright now.
Danilo needs only 21 more.
Wendell needs only 57more.
Hogan needs 251 more
Mendy needs only 5 more.
Sheffield Wednesday 1 - 1 Manchester United
When Dier scored against the run of play Wednesday were threatening to finally win a game but the lead lasted only 3 minutes and a 1-1 scoreline. Wednesday to be fair in this game were outplayed for the majority against a side chasing the title.
Caretaker manager Simon Marsh record stands at Played 8 Won 0 Drawn 6 lost 2. 0.75 points per game as opposed to 0.55 under the Bradwell management.
Danilo needs 98 at 9.80 per game
Wendell needs 78 at 7.80 per game
Hogan needs 297 at 29.70 per game
Mendy needs 16 at 1.60 per game.
Sheffield Wednesday 0 West Ham United 0
Wednesday have just forgotten how to win! Despite losing Tierney to a red card in the first half they still outplayed the Hammers but could not find the goal for the elusive win they need. Another draw gives Marsh 5 draws and 2 losses in his 7 games. A 13-8 shot count just shows the club lacks the cutting edge at times to win the games. Tierney is now suspended for 2 games which will at least give more playing time to Danilo and Wendell.
All but 4 players are now being retained next season after an aggressive use of fringe players to clear up the mess inherited.
Danilo needs 174 at 15.81 per game
Wendell needs 95 at 8.64 per game
Hogan needs 336 at 30.55 per game
Mendy needs 28 at 2.54 per game.
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