Sheffield Wednesday: Carlos Carvalhal calls for fans to raise roof against QPR

Owls chief Carlos Carvalhal is urging the fans to get behind the team when they welcome Queens Park Rangers to Hillsborough tomorrow.
Carlos Carvalhal, left, and Lee Bullen on the touchlineCarlos Carvalhal, left, and Lee Bullen on the touchline
Carlos Carvalhal, left, and Lee Bullen on the touchline

Wednesday will be aiming to get back to winning ways in their own backyard after losing to Brighton and Hove Albion prior to the two-week international break.

With QPR having one day extra to prepare for the fixture, Carvalhal is convinced the supporters backing will be vitally important if they are to record a fifth home victory this season.

Daniel PudilDaniel Pudil
Daniel Pudil
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Carvalhal told The Star: “We play again against a team who have one more day to recover than us. It will be our third game in a short time.

“The conditions are better for them (QPR) but the fans can equalise the situation. They can make a big difference. We are looking forward to receiving massive support for the game on Saturday and we need it. We will try to fight for the three points.”

The charismatic Portuguese chief is adamant Wednesday should have picked up maximum points at Cardiff City in midweek. Carvalhal was pleased with their performance and reckons they dominated the second half.

Daniel PudilDaniel Pudil
Daniel Pudil

“We knew it wouldn’t be easy,” said Carvalhal, whose team flew back to South Yorkshire in the early hours of Thursday morning. “In the second half, as we expected, Cardiff were very aggressive and compact in defensive midfield. You have to be a very good team to create spaces against that and we did, the 1-1 was clearly justified.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“In the last five minutes we knew if we couldn’t win we must not lose. We didn’t want what happened at Birmingham. We learned from it.

“I think we were the better team but Cardiff ran a lot and fought a lot. We tried to win the game.”

The Owls are confident Keiren Westwood will be passed fit to play against ninth-placed QPR despite the Republic of Ireland international being forced off at the Cardiff City Stadium due to a back injury.

Carvalhal said: “Keiren had a bit of a back problem which he felt during the warm-up, but he felt well enough to play.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Then, during the early part of the game he felt it again and we felt it was best not to take a risk.

“I do not think it is too serious and we hope he can play this weekend.”

Cameron Dawson, Westwood’s replacement, acquitted himself well in between the sticks. It is the second time in three matches the youngster has been thrown into the deep end but he rose to the challenge.

“I have said since last season that we have very good goalkeepers,” said Carvalhal. “I trust all of them.

“I sleep very well when Cammy plays.

“It was not easy for him to come on in that situation but he did well.”