Uncertain Times For Wily Owls

Points penalty may turn tables...

- Chris Dunlavy

NOT many sides head into Christmas uncertain whether they are fighting for promotion or facing relegation.

Yet that is the strange predicament in which Sheffield Wednesday find themselves ahead of this afternoon’s clash with Bristol City.

On paper, the Owls look like contenders. Three wins from four matches. Unbeaten in five. At the start of the weekend, only Leeds, West Brom, and Preston had more points on the board.

They are also, as Nottingham Forest boss Sabri Lamouchi said after his side’s 4-0 defeat at the City Ground last weekend, one of the toughest teams to face in the division.

Big. Physical. Direct. Though hardly route one, they play two big strikers, win headers and pick up seconds. Off the ball, they have committed more fouls than any other team in the division, with a card collection to match.