Thommo Faces His Biggest Test

Caretaker bids to lift the Owls again

- John Lyons

Managing Sheffield Wednesday has been a poisoned chalice this season, but caretaker Neil Thompson still believes there can be a happy ending at Hillsborough.

The former Ipswich and Scarborough defender stepped up from coaching duties two months ago following the sacking of Tony Pulis, who only lasted 45 days in the hotseat after replacing Garry Monk.

Embroiled in a relegation battle when he took over, Thompson initially led an upturn in results. Victories against Middlesbrough, Derby and Exeter, the latter in the FA Cup, made it three wins from three, but inconsistency has since returned.

Indeed, the midweek 3-0 loss at high-flying Brentford made it three defeats on the trot and left the Owls second bottom heading into the weekend.

Some might panic, but Thompson’s measured approach is reassuring. While he acknowledges the problems Wednesday face, he is convinced there is still ample opportunity to prevent a return to the third tier for the first time in just under a decade.