AFTER a touch of Dutch, it's a bit of Italian for Sheffield Wednesday as they continue their pre-season work back on English soil tonight.
One of the new arrivals on the managerial scene, Roberto Di Matteo, sends out his MK Dons side to provide Brian Laws with a touch stiffer workout for the Owls who go to StadiumMK for the first time tonight.
Former Chelsea midfielder Di Matteo, actually born in Switzerland but an Italian international, took over when Paul Ince departed Milton Keynes for Blackburn Rovers last month having led them to the League Two title last season.
It means Di Matteo gets the chance to cut his managerial teeth as a promoted newcomer in League One and the ambitious club are determined that their rise won't be ending where they are now.
They lost their opening friendly 2-1 to Reading last Saturday but quickly showed they are embracing Di Matteo's call to pass the ball and play with some style. Ince took them to promotion with a 4-5-1 system.
Their top player last year, midfielder Keith Andrews - who was named League Two Player of the Year - has been put on the transfer list as Di Matteo looks to end the speculation about the 27-year-old's future which has continued across the summer.
Laws acknowledges that it will be a step up from the two games in Holland last week although they were just right at that stage of the build-up.
"They both provided a good workout and the whole trip was enormously beneficial and we have a great spirit in the camp," said Laws.
"I think this will be another step up for the Holland games and with a new manager there, the players will be out to impress."
Laws will be looking to give Akpo Sodje some action after his injury problems.
He will get some part of the action tonight whilst Laws also has the option of including some of his first team squad at Stocksbridge Park Steels tomorrow night.
MK Dons had their opening friendly on Saturday when they lost 2-1 to Reading.
What do you think? Post your comments below. READ MORENormally, any man spotted skulking around Merseyside sporting day-glo pink trousers could earn himself a stern word or two: CLICK HERE TO READ JAMES SHIELD ON THE BRITISH OPEN Football headlinesMore BladesMore OwlsMore SpireitesMore RoversMore RedsMore MillersMore Ice HockeyMore rugby leagueMore rugby unionMore boxingSports columnistsAll sport categoriesThe full article contains 435 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
