Huge referee appointment is a shocking omen for Sheffield Wednesday’s last day survival clash

And in English football there is no bigger name in refereeing than Premier League staple Mike Dean who will take charge of Sheffield Wednesday’s do-or-die date at Derby County on Saturday, it was announced yesterday.

Rotherham United’s draw at Luton Town last night means the Owls’ survival effort will stretch into the final day. Wednesday need to win and hope the Millers don’t beat Cardiff City in order to book a ninth-consecutive season in the second tier.

The match-up has evoked memories of their last day Championship shootout with Crystal Palace in 2010, a game they had to win to avoid the drop that saw them draw 2-2 despite Darren Purse’s last-gasp equaliser.

This weekend’s action is set to be tense and any superstitious types looking for positive omens may wish to look away from Dean’s record in Wednesday matches.

Because while a record of one Owls win in six matches Dean has overseen is bad enough, those with keen memories will remember he refereed in that Crystal Palace match.

Happier memories in Dean matches came in 2008 when Steve Watson’s lone winner beat Sheffield United. His last Owls game came as far back as 2014 in a 2-0 home defeat to Bournemouth.

Though an occasionally controversial figure, the Owls and the Rams should be in good hands. Dean, 52, has been on the Premier League select list of referees since 2000 and was on the FIFA list for 10 years, officiating in several international qualifying matches.

Down at Cardiff, Graham Scott will oversee the match involving Rotherham.

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