Sheffield Wednesday warned about Neil Warnock’s Middlesbrough

The Owls face Boro later this afternoon at 3pm, and remain in desperate need for points as they head into their final three matches of the campaign.

Smith remains in charge of matters as Darren Moore continues his recovery from pneumonia and blood clots brought about by COVID-19, so it will be him on the sidelines once again at the Riverside later today.

Warnock’s side are out of the race for the Play-Offs and in no danger of getting relegated as they go into the final straight, but the stand-in Owls boss is under no illusions that they’ve already thrown in the towel for the 2020/21 campaign.

“It’s going to be a tough, tough game for us,” he told the media. “We’ve watched a few of their games now, and we’re going to have to work hard and be good without the ball. They’ve got some really good individuals who can make things happen - so it’ll be tough, but we’re looking forward to it.

“They’re a real attacking threat up at the top end of the pitch, which is something we’re going to have to be ready for.

“With an experienced manager like Neil Warnock he won’t allow them to ‘be on the beach’ so to speak. He’ll have them fired up, ready to play, and they’re professionals - it’s their job and duty to perform on a Saturday. So we’re not expecting anything but a tough game.”

He went on to add that he feels hard work will be key to getting a result, saying, “Any Neil Warnock team that you play against are going to be hard-working so we have to match that. Hopefully we can impose our game on them.

“We have to believe and be positive. That's been our mantra since we have been in the club. It was pleasing on Tuesday that we were 1-0 up at half-time and we saw the game out.”

A win could potentially take them just one point adrift of 21st-placed Derby County, and the Owls will be desperate to try and at least take matters to the final day on May 8th – against the Rams.

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