Charlton Athletic first - Sheffield Wednesday can drag others with them with targets in reach
Sheffield Wednesday take on Charlton Athletic this afternoon in a sense of renewed confidence they can claim back the four points that would move them from red to black in the points tally.
A quirk of the fixture list means already-relegated Sheffield Wednesday stand to play a major part in which teams will join them in the third tier next season - with out-of-form Charlton Athletic first up in the final four matches of a long and battling campaign.
Nathan Jones’ side arrive as the most out-of-form team of those threatened with the drop, with only four points taken from their last six matches. Wednesday have put a great focus on achieving a home win before the season is out and have only two efforts remaining, with the final day run-out against in-danger West Brom still to come. They’ll also make the trip to third-bottom Oxford United. Middlesbrough have loftier ambitions.
Beyond their home win goal, Henrik Pedersen has spoken about the team’s desire to return to level points. At stages that has looked a task unmanageable but after back to back draws including an impressive away point at promoted Coventry City last time out, there’s an emerging chance.
“I promise my boys are very hungry to do the best they can,” Pedersen told The Star. “It does not matter who they play against. Now we have a chance and we know how strong they have been and how physically strong a team it is. It will be another tough game, Middlesbrough away a tough game, Oxford away a tough game, West Brom at home too, but four interesting games where we will go with a big heart and a big belief to do the best we can in those four games.”
A turbulent week off the field saw prospective new owner David Storch release a statement that suggested hurdles to overcome in the takeover stakes. As things stand, a 15-point deduction will be placed on the club heading into next season.
Asked whether the events away from the football were having any impact on the squad’s mindset, the Dane said: “I said to the boys again that one of the biggest qualities we have had to be in the moment, not be in the head and be in the past and the future, but make our performance in the moment and take it day by day. And how stable we have been over the last period has been really, really good.
“We are still going to the last four games with a big goal for the home win to get a plus point and to make four top performances where the fans will be proud for what they are saying. Of course, we want to have as many points as possible so we can come on plus points. We have a lot to do before the season is done, so we are a little bit busy.”