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FRAN-TASTIC DAY - MATCH REPORT AND SLIDE SHOW
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 4 CHARLTON 1 IT was a day to make Wednesday and their fans proud. January 17 2009 ... a day when the bond between club and supporters was forged anew and old traditions burst to the surface.
Fans flocked back, the legendary Chris Waddle returned as a club guest, even Ozzie Owl made a comeback, and the return of a rapport, atmosphere and playing excitement that revived memories of good old days had the faithful chanting: "We've got our Wednesday back."
What a great day for Lee Strafford - the chairman who wanted to eradicate the "destructive politics" of the past, remove any sense of alienation felt by fans and put the Wednesday "family" back together. He seems to have got his wish.
Addressing the crowd before the game, Strafford said that when the Owls had been successful in the past it was because the club had been run properly and the fans had got behind the manager and the team, and he urged the supporters to stick behind the manager and the team in this new era.
The players added their own encouragement with an early goal and authoritative football and away we went ... a vibrant atmosphere, plenty to enjoy, and an occasion that befitted the club's long tradition.
Of course, it was price cuts rather than sentiment that lured many fans back but that does not matter. This was a terrific starting point for Strafford, in his first home game as chairman, and it broadened the smiles of everyone associated with the club.
Off the field, he has played a blinder; on it, the team equalled their biggest win of the season (Burnley at home on the opening day was the other 4-1 score).
Wednesday looked a well-balanced side with know-how and experience.
Darren Potter brought height and calm authority to midfield besides scoring a debut goal, which, rather surprisingly, was his first ever in the league.
The Owls posed a threat on the flanks with Jermaine Johnson having his moments and Michael Gray for the second consecutive week looking a quality player with pace and dribbling ability and accurate delivery.
He was involved in three of the goals.
Marcus Tudgay issued a reminder of how important he is to he side with his link-up play, besides his goals, and Francis Jeffers flourished in general against his old club as well as coolly notching that first goal of the season.
"I think it's special praise to Franny," said Brian Laws. "It's been a year since he's scored - that includes a hell of a long lay-off for him.
"I hope it's the first of many. You could see the relief on the pitch and among the supporters. We have a good player. He's one of the best finishers in the club and he showed his quality with that goal.
"The two boys we've brought in showed that bit of experience, which we've lacked, plus ability. Potter had a great debut. Gray had a great debut at Ipswich and was excellent again. I'm pleased with them and with the rest of the lads.
"Their keeper pulled off some great saves. 17 times we hit the target out of 23 attempts at goal."
The skids were put under a woeful Charlton outfit by Potter's 16th-minute strike from more than 25 yards. Jeffers had found Gray, his cross was headed into the air by Matthew Spring, Johnson nodded the ball down and James O'Connor laid it back to Potter.
Potter reckoned that he should also have been credited with a goal from his 83rd-minute free kick which rocketed down off the underside of the bar. Having watched the replay several times, I don't think the ball was fully over the line when it bounced.
The midfield new boy said: "The lads performed really well, and it was nice to get on the scoresheet. I think 4-1 flattered Charlton. It could have been a lot more.
"I thought Franny Jeffers was outstanding. He took his goal really well and put in a great shift."
The Owls' second goal, where Tudgay headed in a Gray corner at the far post, had put them firmly in charge by half-time.
Then Jeffers - who had been thwarted by two first-half saves from Darren Randolph - steered home a Gray cross from a narrow angle in the 63rd minute.
Wednesday were so much in command that many of their fans did not mind applauding Matthew Spring's marvellous shot into the bottom corner from 30 yards.
Sub Wade Small joined in the fun by making an impact up front with his pace and he and Tudgay forced the opening from which the latter was fouled for a penalty duly tucked away in the fifth and final minute of stoppage time.
It was hard not to feel sorry for a crestfallen Phil Parkinson, the Charlton manager.
He said: "We were outfought and outplayed in every department. We
didn't cope with the tempo and desire of Wednesday."
But a happy Laws is hoping for more occasions like this in the future.
"We know there is a huge credit crunch. We're not a team on top of the league; we've got to help them fill the ground," he said.
"Today has shown that it can work. With new initiatives between now and the end of the season we can maintain that (support) for the rest of the season."
Wednesday may not get 28,000 crowds every week but Saturday's performance,and further price deals can only have improved the chances of many fans coming back for more.
MANAGERS VIEW
It was fantastic build-up all week, regarding the club as a whole.
The new chairman
has changed the culture, not with money spent, just common sense, taking away the blockages that were there.
Now we have a club where everybody wants to turn up every day and enjoy it.
It's put a smile back on everybody's faces. Everyone has stepped up to the mark. It's spread through the whole club, and it's given everybody the confidence to go out and play.
Credit to the chairman: he has come in like a whirlwind, putting a smile back on everybody's faces, but also standing up and supporting everybody.
I'm really chuffed
for the chairman.
It was a fantastic crowd. It was important we put in a performance as well - one, for
them to enjoy it, and, two, so we can maintain that kind of support.
You could feel the atmosphere before the game. It was excellent. Long may it continue.
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
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