Yan Valery outlines 'really important' trait Sheffield Wednesday must master this season
Sheffield Wednesday showed great levels of determination and spirit to come through their clash with Peterborough United with three points.
Right-back Yan Valery knows Sheffield Wednesday cannot underestimate the importance of winning ugly away from home this season after securing a third successive victory against Peterborough United on Saturday.
The Owls climbed to the League One summit for the first time this season after securing a third successive away win, sealed by Valery’s winner 11 minutes from time to ensure Wednesday won by the odd goal in three for the third away game running.
After taking a first half lead through a Josh Feeney own goal, Wednesday were pegged back immediately after half-time when Ben Woods planted an emphatic header past goalkeeper Joe Lumley. However, Henrik Pedersen’s men got their noses back in front when Valery turned home Kieran Morrison’s corner.
A third victory in eight days – and a second on the road in that period – was enough to take Wednesday to the top of the table, meaning it will be a top-versus-bottom clash when Wigan Athletic visit Hillsborough this Saturday.
Although Wednesday had to dig deep to get another three points on the board, Valery believes winning matches without being at their very best will be an important habit for him and his teammates to get into this season, acknowledging that it will be key to their hopes of trying to secure an immediate return to the Championship.
Valery told the Owls’ YouTube channel: “It's really important to win those games because, obviously, at home, we know we can play and we know our ground, and with all our fans, I would say it's a bit easier.
“But I think away games, where it's a bit long balls, fights, and especially when it's games every three days, I think they're tough, and I think it would be really important this season to win them if we want promotion.
“So yes, it's really important to win them.”
Valery was also full of praise for the near-4,000 travelling Wednesdayites who made the trip to Cambridgeshire on Saturday for the lunchtime kick-off.
“It was really good just in front of the fans and, as always, we're the best in the country,” he added. “Every ground we go to, we can hear them, and they are always behind us.
“So yes, we are really, really lucky to have them. We have a really good group of lads. Everyone's worked together.