Sheffield Wednesday: Carlos happy with Owls duo Tom Lees and Sam Hutchinson

Sheffield Wednesday chief Carlos Carvalhal has hailed his centre-back pairing of Tom Lees and Sam Hutchinson.
Tom LeesTom Lees
Tom Lees

Lees, who recently penned a new long-term contract extension, and Hutchinson have helped the Owls record back-to-back Championship clean sheets.

The duo excelled in Saturday’s goalless draw at Norwich City, nullifying the threat of Cameron Jerome, who was taken off, and Scotland international Steven Naismith.

Sam HutchinsonSam Hutchinson
Sam Hutchinson
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Carvalhal, who has club captain Glenn Loovens edging closer to a first-team return following ankle surgery, told The Star: “I’m very happy with Tom and Sam. As I have said before, I knew Sam would do very well at centre-back.

“Tom and Sam are doing well together. They are a good couple. I’m very happy with how all the players are doing.”

The Portuguese head coach is pleased to have accrued four points from the opening two league fixtures against Aston Villa and Norwich.

He described the point at Carrow Road as a “very good result” despite Wednesday spurning several opportunities to clinch maximum points after the break.

Sam HutchinsonSam Hutchinson
Sam Hutchinson
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Carvalhal warned: “Last year, we lost points against teams at the bottom. Newcastle lost again over the weekend so this competition is very hard. You must be with full concentration all the time.

“We are doing very well. We are acting and playing like a team. Even if we lose a player, we don’t lose the control and still act like a team, which is most important to us.”