Owls pay price of victory

The Owls have doubts over Steve Watson, Michael Johnson, Francis Jeffers and Tommy Spurr as they prepare to face leaders Watford at Vicarage Road tomorrow

But manager Brian Laws is also counting the positives from the club's haul of six points from the last two matches, with the earning of a second clean sheet in a row, confidence in the squad soaring, and several players hitting form.

Watson (knee), Jeffers (groin) and Spurr (dead leg) had to go off during the 1-0 win at Carrow Road.

Johnson (Achilles) took a heavy knock after the Owls had used all their subs and he managed to complete the game.

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Etienne Esajas (back) could possibly have played but was not risked as Laws feared that he might not last the course, but the Dutch winger is likely to be in the squad for tomorrow.

Laws was delighted with the way his team ground out a victory and showed some second-half attacking flair to grab three points with a goal from Wade Small.

Said the Owls boss: "Deon Burton was better than in earlier games, and Marcus Tudgay worked extremely hard when he came on.

"Wade Small put in a good performance; Glenn Whelan was outstanding, and Michael Johnson was a rock at the back, and it looks as if Richard Wood is back to being the Colossus that he was last season."

Laws will be checking on the injured players today and assessing whether or not he will have to make changes for the match at Watford, who were held to a 1-1 home draw by Blackpool on Saturday.

The Owls will start out tomorrow as underdogs but will be encouraged by their blossoming confidence and improved results. Laws said: "When people are confident they want the ball and they're talking to each other on the pitch. Self-belief is the biggest factor.

"We showed more control in the second half; passing the ball and keeping it simple.

"When we were having a bad run I said to the players 'you'll be better men when you come through this, if you still have belief'.

"Once they had got that first win, you could see them become more relaxed."

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