A youngster and an irritating 'woo': Five heroes and three villains in Sheffield Wednesday's win over Derby County

Sheffield Wednesday are good at home. Who knew? The Owls turned into 2021 with their third home win on the spin thanks to a Callum Paterson goal in a 1-0 win over Derby County.
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It was their third win in four matches unbeaten and allowed them to jump out of the relegation zone for the first time this season, though others have games in hand. It also kicked-off a 100% record in the post-Tony Pulis era.

But who were the heroes and who were the villains in a smash-and-grab win at S6? Let’s take a look..

Liam Shaw

Sheffield Wednesday caretaker manager Neil Thompson celebrates with Adam Reach after a 1-0 win over Derby County.Sheffield Wednesday caretaker manager Neil Thompson celebrates with Adam Reach after a 1-0 win over Derby County.
Sheffield Wednesday caretaker manager Neil Thompson celebrates with Adam Reach after a 1-0 win over Derby County.
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He’s very much the man – or boy – of the moment isn’t he? Sky Sports’ man of the match, the youngster was shuffled in to a depleted backline and was asked to deal with an experienced Championship forward line.

Colin Kazim-Richards was a handful all evening and Shaw largely kept him quiet.

Callum Paterson

Two goals in two. The big Scot has had his critics in recent matches and that is understandable – he’s not been on top of the world in terms of form.

But the ugly, scrappy, vital headed goal he scored was his second in two and was a moment that summed up what he can offer this Wednesday side. His desire to win, by the way, is second-to-none.

One of the Derby players

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Seriously, which one of them kept ‘wooing’ in a high-pitched squeal?

Really rather irritating after a while.

Tom Lees

Has moved into pole position for the Owls’ player of the season award, for me.

Next to Shaw he was an ocean of calm and laid on yet another classy defensive display.

Sky may have given their man of the match gong to the younger man, but The Star’s goes to the former skipper.

Wayne Rooney

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It’s fair to say he wasn’t delighted when speaking to the media after the game.

The former Manchester United legend expressed his huge frustration towards referee Matt Donohue, intimating he had not seen the incident that saw a ball strike Kadeem Harris’ arm in the box late on.

Donohue clearly did, clearly signalling ‘no penalty’ immediately.

Rooney also went on to suggest his players had fallen into complacency and that they had found the game ‘too easy’ at times.

Matt Donohue

See above. It was a good penalty shout to be fair.

The Fixture Schedule

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A common inclusion to this page, the fixture schedule has exhausted many a Football League squad in the past weeks and months.

Wednesday are again in the wars, with Keiren Westwood and Chey Dunkley having missed out alongside Joost van Aken this time out. Josh Windass hobbled off with a hamstring issue.

If players are rested on Saturday, which you assume they will be, the next fortnight is an important reset for several players.

Neil Thompson

The Wednesday caretaker boss is striking a chord with this side. A popular figure at the club at all levels, he seems to be enjoying his spell in charge.

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Who knows whether he’ll still be in the hotseat come Exeter on Saturday or Coventry the week after?

But he has two wins from two. Whisper it quietly, but if he can make it four from four, or even five from five, then who knows what might happen?

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