The Owls entertain Blackpool this weekend

Matt Hamshaw wants Sheffield Wednesday to play on the ‘front-foot’ and be more ‘positive’ when they host Blackpool.

The Owls host the Tangerines on Sunday aiming to end a run of three games without a win. Interim boss Hamshaw took charge of Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw against Cambridge United and spoke about his ‘frustration’ at how slowly they started before growing into the clash.

Wednesday endured a torrid time in the Championship last season where game-plans were centred around containing the opposition. But Hamshaw says they need to put that mindset behind them and force teams on the back-foot, predicting ‘big performances’ are not far away.

Speaking about his messages so far, Hamshaw told The Star: “I think it's just been trying to get smiles on faces, enjoying the football, playing front-footed football, doing the things that have have made this club famous over the years. We obviously need a bit of style and substance behind that. It ain't just going to be shell it forward, but at the same time we have to think a lot more positive. And I think, look, we've got 18 new players, and I think the effects of last season is kind of going now. Rather coming out here on the back -foot, we’ve got to think we're going to be on the front-foot. I've been here a short time, so it's really unfair for me to see the progression within that. But what I've seen from coming in is, I think things are kind of leveling off a little bit, and you're going to see big performances.”

After successive defeats to Notts County and Doncaster Rovers, Wednesday looked like a team low on confidence in the opening stages. But Hamshaw does not think that is the case as they prepare to face a struggling Blackpool side who one point above the relegation zone and have only won one in seven.

He explained: “I don't think there's a confidence issue. I've got full trust in the players in that dressing room. I think obviously, look, we have got a number of injuries at minute to key players, but you're going to get that through a League One season. It's not an excuse. However, we have to be better. Some of these players who are playing will be regular players in the team, and I think, like you saw today, how good Bannan was. I think he's been probably, arguably, our best player these last three games. I brought him off because he looked like he couldn't run anymore, and he'll tell me he can. We have to believe in what we've got. We have to get these 30,000 fans something to get behind.”