The surprising review Joe Wildsmith was given after his Sheffield Wednesday return

He impressed against Sergio Aguero & Co. in the FA Cup, but why did Joe Wildsmith get more praise from his coach for the Nottingham Forest performance than the one against Manchester City?
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Wildsmith got his first Championship start in over two years last weekend as he was given the nod to replace Cameron Dawson between the sticks at Hillsborough, and he acquitted himself well in the draw 1-1 despite conceding in the second half.

While the 24-year-old couldn’t do anything to keep out Joe Lolley for the opening goal, he did make a save in the last 10 minutes that gave his teammates the ability to push on for the equaliser that was eventually found by Connor Wickham.

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He may have made only two shots and two claims against the Reds (compared to eight saves and one claim against City) in the FA Cup, but his goalkeeper coach was very happy with how things went in his 50th appearance.

Wildsmith told The Star, “I spoke to Nicky Weaver after the game, and he actually said to me that he thought my performance against Forest was better than the one against Man City because I didn’t have a lot to do and had to keep my focus.

“The game, as it went on, was a clean game. There wasn’t much sloppiness, kicking was consistent, and I did what I had to do. I didn’t get involved in anything I didn’t need to get involved in, and had a clean game.

“He was more impressed with that than the games that came against Manchester City… It was great to hear that from him, and it gave me a lot of confidence.”

Joe Wildsmith is expected to start again for Sheffield Wednesday this weekend. (via @SWFC | Steve Ellis)Joe Wildsmith is expected to start again for Sheffield Wednesday this weekend. (via @SWFC | Steve Ellis)
Joe Wildsmith is expected to start again for Sheffield Wednesday this weekend. (via @SWFC | Steve Ellis)
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The Wednesday academy graduate is expected to start once again against Bristol City on Sunday as he looks to keep a clean sheet for the first time since August 2018, something that would really signal the completion of his journey back from the career-threatening injury that he picked up last year.

Wednesday face Bristol at 12pm tomorrow.

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