"It seems strange.." Millwall boss Gary Rowett on Sheffield Wednesday points deduction bombshell

That’s according to Lions boss Gary Rowett, who speaking ahead of his side’s trip to Hillsborough on Saturday also commented that the shock news comes across to him as “strange”.

Millwall arrive with an impressive away record, with all four of their wins this season having been chalked up on the road. The Owls will be desperate to build on an impressive 1-0 win over Bournemouth in midweek after well documented home struggles in 2020.

That win, coupled with their six-point return, effectively delivered a nine-point swing that took the Owls to five points and within striking distance of the safety zone.

“I think there will be an impact,” Rowett said. “If you start the season on minus-12 you have to start well. Sheffield Wednesday did initially, then the results tailed off.

“It becomes quite frustrating until you get to zero because teams are still out of your reach. Mentally that can be quite difficult.”

Owls boss Garry Monk has come up against a Rowett side on five occasions and has warned that the clash could become ‘attritional at times’.

On the timing of the midweek points bombshell, Rowett said: “It’s a really strange scenario to be in.

“They got a really good result against Bournemouth and then get six points back. The EFL decided to do what they did and that’s nothing to do with me. It is great news for Sheffield Wednesday. If justice has been done then fabulous.

“It means they’ve just had a nine-point week and essentially that has to play a huge pyschological impact on the group.

“It’s not really my remit to work out what happened there but it does seem to be strange to be mid-season and suddenly the team gets six points back. It doesn’t change anything for us. We have to go there and try and get a result.

“I’m sure they [Sheffield Wednesday] will be buoyed by their news and it will add extra determination to start reeling teams in.”

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Sheffield Wednesday man Adam Reach opens up on his Owls future as contract draws to a close

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