Why Reading boss Mark Bowen believes his side can end their winless run at Sheffield Wednesday

Reading manager Mark Bowen is confident his side can end their winless run when they travel to Hillsborough on Saturday to take on Sheffield Wednesday.
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The Royals have failed to win in seven league games since recording a surprise 2-1 victory at promotion-chasing Fulham on New Year's Day.

They currently occupy 16th place and are nine points ahead of the Championship drop zone.

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But speaking after his side's 2-1 defeat to table-toppers West Bromwich Albion at the Madejski Stadium on Wednesday night, the former Welsh international defender says the performance against the Baggies suggests they can turn the corner against the Owls.

"The mood is fine - we're disappointed when we lose but I said to the guys, if we put in a performance like that at Sheffield Wednesday we'll come away with points, no doubt," said Bowen

"It's trying to get that consistency in there. We started with a goal and generally a lot better than the past two or three games.

"You'll have dips in games but we'll be competitive if we can in every game we play. Our motivation is to win as many games as we can but it's time now and I said to the guys - we've got to win a game.

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"It's been too long since we've won a game so the focus is to get three points on Saturday."

Reading manager Mark Bowen says he's hopeful his side can end their winless streak at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)Reading manager Mark Bowen says he's hopeful his side can end their winless streak at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Reading manager Mark Bowen says he's hopeful his side can end their winless streak at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

The Royals will head north on Saturday without the services of former Wednesday frontman Lucas Joao, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury suffered in the win at Fulham.

It is understood the 26-year-old Portuguese striker, who left Hillsborough last summer for a fee rumoured to be around £8m, is expected to return to action in mid-March.

He has scored five goals for Bowen’s side this season.

Meanwhile, Reading’s Welsh defender Chris Gunter will also miss the trip to South Yorkshire after picking up a groin problem during last Saturday's 1-1 draw with Hull City.

The 30-year-old now faces around four weeks on the sidelines and is likely to miss the remaining five games this month.