Sheffield Wednesday boss Neil Thompson gives honest assessment of key man's form ahead of Luton clash

Sheffield Wednesday players and staff must find another gear in their quest for Championship survival.
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That’s according to Owls caretaker manager Neil Thompson, whose side make the trip to Luton Town this afternoon hoping to halt a run of three consecutive defeats.

One player out to make a point will be versatile midfield man Adam Reach, who was substituted after less than hour in their 3-0 defeat at Brentford on Wednesday evening.

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Reach is out of contract at the end of the season and has experienced highs and lows throughout this campaign.

Sheffield Wednesday man Adam Reach (right) has seen peaks and troughs in his form this season.Sheffield Wednesday man Adam Reach (right) has seen peaks and troughs in his form this season.
Sheffield Wednesday man Adam Reach (right) has seen peaks and troughs in his form this season.

“He’s like anyone,” Thompson said. “Everyone has ups and downs in terms of how they play and it maybe wasn’t Adam’s night the other night but he’s put a lot of miles in this year into a lot of games. You have to appreciate that.

“It’s one of the decision you have to make, you have to make substitutions and try to change it. But he’s like anyone, he’ll come in this morning and get on with what he’s got to do.”

Asked whether the 28-year-old, who has played in a number of positions this season, is a victim of his own versatility, Thompson said: “Maybe. But when you’ve got that versatility you’ve got more options and opportunity. When you’ve only got one position, there’s only one spot to go for.

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“Adam is an intelligent footballer and an intelligent young man and he gives you lots of options in certain areas.”

The Wednesday season has 15 matches remaining and while they sit well within reach of the safety zone, their current run is one they need to arrest fast.

“It’s a real challenge for everybody,” he said. “This is happening, this is real, it’s not going to go away. We have to deal with it and we have to get results.

“Everyone; players, coaching, everybody, we have to search inside ourselves and get out the necessary attributes to make sure we get a result.

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“It’s always a tricky game to play. It’s a tight pitch and they always play at a high tempo. It’s a scrap, you’ve seen that all along.

“There are areas we think we can exploit, but there are certainly threats as well.”

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