It’s a fourth consecutive league game against a bottom six side for Wednesday, who will certainly be expecting to become more threatening in the final third. The misfiring Owls have only scored twice in their last four games, but have kept clean sheets in all of those contests. It’s a stat that shows Steve Bruce and his coaching staff are moving the club in the right direction, but there is still plenty of work to be done.
Bruce has warned his players to “stand up and be counted” in what should be a physical challenge against the Millers. He told The Star: “Rotherham will be similar to the way Millwall are. They are up and at you.
“They are direct and put the ball into your box. “They play long and play off the second bits. They have got a wonderful energy so we will have to stand up and be counted and let the football do some talking.”
Team News
Tom Lees could return to the squad, after being sidelined for the draws with Reading and Millwall. Wednesday’s captain suffered a shin injury in training last week. However, should he be available, his return to the starting XI would be far from guaranteed. Jordan Thorniley has been an excellent understudy in Lees’ absence.
The Opponents
Despite earning a credible point at Hull in midweek, Rotherham fell back into the relegation zone after Reading’s win over Blackburn. The Millers were 2-0 down at the interval, but managed to stage a second half comeback to claim a valuable point. Anthony Forde halved the deficit on 48 minutes, before Robbie Mackenzie put through his own net just seven minutes later.
Boss Paul Warne was delighted with their showing in the second period: “You can say what you like about my team, but I thought they were pretty colossal second half, the effort they put in, they were absolutely goosed.
“That one point could be a big difference at the end of the season. I am pretty proud of them.”
Warne is certainly expecting a different type of test to the one he faced against Wednesday back in December. “I think they’re conceding a lot less goals since he’s taken over. “The bigger players have stepped up to the plate a little bit and they all seem to be playing for their shirts.“I think it will be a different, and tougher game than we played at Hillsborough.”
Rotherham have picked up five home victories this term – the same amount as the Owls. However, Warne’s men have only won one of their last eight matches on home soil. They sit 22nd, just one point adrift of safety. It’s fair to say every game between now and the end of the season is hugely significant as the Millers hope to defy the odds and avoid an instant return to the third tier.
Team News
Ryan Williams is available for selection after recovering from a hamstring problem. The pacy winger hasn’t featured since 12th January. He was an unused sub at Hull.
Strikers Jamie Proctor and Kyle Vassell are ruled out through injury, as is former Owl Darren Potter. The midfielder has recently resumed training, but hasn’t played since December 2017.
Prediction
If Wednesday can match their hosts’ work ethic and intensity, then their quality should just about shine through. I fancy the Owls to nick this by a single goal.
Connor Thorpe Football 