Sheffield Wednesday: '˜Let's finish a tough year with a flourish'

First-team coach Lee Bullen says Wednesday are determined to end a 'tough year' in a positive fashion.
Owls boss Jos Luhukay, left, and first-team coach Lee BullenOwls boss Jos Luhukay, left, and first-team coach Lee Bullen
Owls boss Jos Luhukay, left, and first-team coach Lee Bullen

Jos Luhukay’s men entertain Norwich City on Sunday lunchtime in their final Championship fixture of the 2017/18 season.

Big things were expected of the Owls following back-to-back play-offs but the club have failed to produce the goods this time around and are languishing in the bottom half of the division. Speaking at 12th annual Star Football Awards on Monday night, Bullen said: “The league doesn’t lie and we deserve to finish where we finish.

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“It has been a tough year and not the year we set out for but we have to take it on the chin and finish off well against Norwich.”

A strong end to the campaign has lifted the mood around Hillsborough. Wednesday have collected 16 points from their last eight matches to move up to 16th in the rankings. If they defeat the Canaries, Luhukay’s side could finish as high as 14th.

“It would be nice to finish off with the three points on Sunday and hopefully put some people psychologically in a positive frame of mind going into next season,” said Bullen, who was placed in caretaker charge of the Owls for four matches following Carlos Carvalhal’s departure last December. “We will get a good pre-season under our belt and go again next year.”

The Scot said Carvalhal and Owls boss Jos Luhukay are “night and day in terms of characteristics but both are fiery fighters determined to have success”.

He is confident Wednesday will regroup over the summer and come back stronger next year.

Bullen added: “Next season, promotion has to be the target again.”