"It's different to Pulis": Sheffield Wednesday players enjoying life under Neil Thompson

Sheffield Wednesday players are enjoying life under Neil Thompson, according to one of the players frozen out during the mini-reign of Tony Pulis.
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On-loan playmaker Izzy Brown, who only once played more than 15 minutes in a match under the former Stoke boss, is looking forward to pressing his case for a most influential role in the side as the return from a coronavirus-enforced break this weekend.

The Owls will make the trip to Everton for an FA Cup Fourth Round match on Sunday in what has been widely described as something of a ‘free hit’ for the squad.

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And with four wins in their last five matches, Brown believes the side are reaping the benefits of a change in approach led by Thompson and his staff.

Sheffield Wednesday caretaker manager Neil Thompson remains unbeaten in the role.Sheffield Wednesday caretaker manager Neil Thompson remains unbeaten in the role.
Sheffield Wednesday caretaker manager Neil Thompson remains unbeaten in the role.

“With Thommo, you’ve got a lot more freedom to express yourself, you can take risks in the final third,” he said, speaking exclusively to The Star. “He wants you to be direct, but also if you don’t track back he’s the first one shouting on at you ‘get back, get back’.

“So he’s a bit of both and I feel like the boys have bought into what he wants us to do.

“I feel like you’ll see in the performances coming up that it’ll be different than it was under Tony Pulis, but it’ll be more enjoyable to watch, I hope.”

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The vast majority of the Wednesday squad have been back at training this week, with the fortnight’s rest having benefited the likes of Josh Windass, Chey Dunkley, Keiren Westwood and Julian Börner, who all look set for a return to fitness in time for the midweek clash with Coventry City at the very least.

Brown said on a week’s work under Thompson: “All the boys like him and training has been so good. We did an 11 v 11 this week and we’ve been doing a lot of possession drills. Everything is sharp and all the boys are really excited about coming into training.

“There’s a good buzz about the place and obviously the last few results have been amazing for us, so obviously everybody has a smile on their face at the moment.”

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