Sheffield Wednesday ‘100%’ confident of survival but are dealt another potential injury blow

Wednesday were beaten 1-0 by high-flying Watford on Friday afternoon, with Darren Moore’s assistant being called upon to take the manager’s place after he tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the week.

It was an unfortunate own goal by Tom Lees that ultimately gave the Hornets the three points at Vicarage Road, however there were a couple of offside claims in the build-up that left the Owls disappointed.

Lees was then forced off a little later in the game after picking up an injury, and may well become the latest SWFC casualty in what has been a rough season on the injury front.

But despite all that, and the fact that there are now just eight games left to play, Smith is adamant that they won’t be giving up the fight while there are still points to be played for.

He told the media, “There were positives to take from the game, and we’ll continue to be positive with the games we have left. We’ll be fighting for every point… We’re very confident. We’re 100% that we’ll stay up.

“I hope people can see the improvements (since Moore and his staff came in), and we can definitely see the improvements within the team - with their work ethic, their desire, their mentality to take on board the information we’ve tried to give them.

“I’m enjoying it, we just need a few more results, a few more points on the board, but we’ve been made to feel really welcome by everyone at the club.”

Meanwhile, with regards to Lees and his forced substitution, Smith explained that he’ll be looked at over the weekend ahead of the Cardiff City clash.

“He felt a tightness in his calf that he had,” he told the media. “So we’ll check that out in the next couple of days and see where he’s at.”

Wednesday face Cardiff on Monday as they return to Hillsborough in search of three vital points, and it remains to be seen whether it’ll be Moore or Smith leading the team out.

More Owls news

“It looks offside…” - Wednesday’s stand-in manager on controversial winner

“A normal goal” - Xisco Muñoz on Wednesday’s own goal winner for Watford

Sheffield Wednesday dealt major COVID-19 blow ahead of Watford clash

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