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Fan power holds key to Wednesday victory, says Grant
WEDNESDAY will have a following of around 6,500 at Oakwell tomorrow - and Lee Grant believes that fans can inspire the team just like they did in the Sheffield derby.
The Owls made a flying start in the United clash and the crowd were behind them from the first whistle.
Keeper Grant expects further vocal backing and says it makes a difference to the players.
In fact it could be the special atmosphere of derbies that brings out the best in the Owls.
"The Sheffield United game was tremendous," he says. "It was something I've never experienced, except for one or two Derby v Forest games.
"It gave us a lift and kept us on our toes. I'm expecting more of the same at Oakwell.
"Since the Sheffield United match we have tried to take the same things into the other matches; that up-and-at-'em approach, grit and determination. We'll try to do the same on Saturday.
"We want to set that tempo nice and early and get at them.
"We try to approach each game the same but maybe in derbies the lads are extra up for it; maybe that's a factor, and the fans play a big part."
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Looking back at the win against Barnsley in November, he said: "It was a tight contest. We deserved the win. I think this game will be as close as last time. Whoever works hardest will come out with the right result."
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It will be big day for Mark Beevers, who is from Barnsley.
The 18-year-old centre-half is a member of the back four who along with Grant have helped the Owls to keep two consecutive clean sheets. They beat Cardiff 1-0 last Saturday and drew 0-0 with Charlton in the match before that.
Richard Wood has come back into the team for those two games and been a success after a long lay-off.
Grant said: "I'm really pleased for Woody. He worked hard with the physios to get back. He's looking strong and fit and reaping the rewards.
"Beevs has been fantastic since he came into the team as a young lad with a lot of pressure on his shoulders. He has handled it really well; long may that continue.
"Clean sheets are welcome. The whole back four are a unit, and they have defended very well."
Grant will be up against two players who were his colleagues at Derby: Jon Macken and Lewin Nyatanga: "Jon has started to find some form and score some goals since he left Derby; Lewin is a young player with a great future, and has played for Wales," he said.
"Both are good guys. I hope they do well, but not on Saturday."
Wednesday's most in-form striker is another ex-Pride Park man, Marcus Tudgay.
"Marcus is doing very well. You always know you are going to get 100 per cent drive and determination from him," Grant added.
"It's paid off for him; he's putting himself about and he's getting goals at crucial times. Every goal is vital now."
But Grant has a joke at the expense of his travelling partner (he and Tudgay still live in the Derby area). Tongue in cheek, he says: "Marcus is not a good finisher in training; I don't know where it comes from on Saturdays!"
But he added, joking aside: "He's a good finisher. He gets into good areas, and if you get into good areas you're going to get goals."
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
