Everybody Hates Gary

With Gary Megson's return to football at Sheffield Wednesday, Turls vents his spleen and explains why he believes Megson isn't the right man for the Owls job.

Gary Megson is charged with taking Sheffield Wednesday into the Championship

As I sit here watching Scotland vs. Ireland in the Six Nations - it's a rugby tournament you don't really need to concern yourself with too much - I am seeing the ball getting booted as far down the pitch as possible.

This act reminded me of a man who has somehow found a way back into the world of football - despite being a bit of a tit and a mediocre manager. I give you the one, and only, Gary Megson.

Ah Megson, you irritatingly dull, worm of a man. How could any club appoint you to guide their team to glory? The only explanation that I can give is that the man who offered him the job was Milan Mandaric.

The chairman of Sheffield Wednesday is not the most liked man in the game, and hired and has fired 8,125 people during his footballing lifespan. Despite half of them coming at Leicester, it's still an impressive achievement.

Back to Megson who, I have no shame in admitting, I'm not a huge fan of. This is the man who was manager of Nottingham Forest when they were relegated to the third tier of English football.

The same man, despite everyone thinking that Forest would storm away with the League One title, could only manage to turn them into a struggling mid-table outfit.

He left the club closer to the relegation zone than the play offs and if you think that it was because Forest were a bit crap back then - which they were - then consider that his replacements took 28 points from a possible 39 and only just missed out on the top six.

Sheffield Wednesday, that proud and noble club, are now being managed by Gary Megson. What makes it a strange decision is that Megson's last spell in this division ended miserably at a club very similar to Wednesday.

Forest were the big guns of League One and were considered a major scalp by most clubs - despite being a shadow of their former selves.

The Owls are in a similar scenario and, although they are not the only scalp in the division - see Southampton - they still harbour aspirations of promotion.

Since taking charge at the start of February, Wednesday have played five league games and, up until the weekend, they had failed to win any of them. Fortunately, they recorded their first victory under Megson on Saturday.

That means the Owls have picked up five points from their last five games, currently sit 16th, and are 12 points behind MK Dons who are 6th. At the end of January though they sat in 12th and were just five points off the play offs.

Poor form saw Wednesday part company with boss Alan Irvine in January

Mandaric sacked Alan Irvine because he felt that he wasn't the man to get them promoted and yet he has hired a man who is taking them further down the table and further adrift of the play offs.

All of this will be very disconcerting for the Hillsborough faithful, not only because they would like to see their club moving up the table but also because they are now being subjected to anti football.

Megson was hounded out of Bolton because his style of football was rubbish. Although the results were good in the beginning, when you set your teams out to play like that you have to keep getting good results because you have no room to manoeuvre with fans. Win ugly, great. Lose ugly, goodbye.

The same problems will follow Megson around for the rest of his managerial career. It was a bad appointment, but not only for this reason. The man is not a very good manager.

Two promotions with West Brom - followed by two dismal seasons in the top flight - and a good spell at Bolton aside, he has achieved the square root of naff all. Sacking Irvine was a big mistake but hiring Megson is an even bigger one.

I'm biased because I want to see people like Megson leave football for good. He brings nothing to the national game and, no matter what people say, fans want to see their team at least trying to play nice football.

We know that no matter who you are, there is always a time and place for the long ball, but passing football should always be Plan A. He doesn't know any other way.

Ian Holloway used to set his teams up to play route one football but, since joining Blackpool, the man has been a slightly annoying revelation. He went away from the game and realised that long ball football invites pressure onto you as manager and as a club.

Blackpool leak goals for fun, but that's because they have a League One defence. They are playing attractive and, at times, breathtaking football though. Megson and several other long ball merchants should take notice of what he has done.

Sheffield Wednesday have had a rough time of it lately and, at the start of the season, many felt they were going to go straight back up.

However, it seems as if they are destined to be in League One for another year at least. Megson will not, I repeat not, guide any club - let alone Wednesday - out of that division.

Top Of The Flops

With Gordon Strachan resigning as Middlesbrough boss following a disastrous start to the season, Nobes looks at pre-season favourites of the past who failed to live up to expectations.

Things went badly wrong for Gordon Strachan at the Riverside

Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised by Middlesbrough, most bookies favourites for the Championship title, struggling towards the start of the season. After all, they received the ultimate kiss of death when even the Soccer AM/MW backed them.

Gordon Strachan should have been preparing to pack his bags there and then - and I'm reliably informed he frequents the site often. He'll have even more time to do so now.

Granted, there's still plenty of time for things to turn around at the Riverside - but failure to do so and, after some heavy summer spending, this Teessiders team will go down in history as one of the game's biggest flops.

Not that they're the first team to fail to live up to such huge pre-season hype though. Here's my rundown of the Top Ten Flops of recent seasons.


10. Millwall - 2006/7

After relegation from the Championship the previous season, the Lions overhauled their squad - investing good money into bouncing back at the first attempt.

Alas though, they decided to hire Nigel Spackman as their manager, and he continued his woeful managerial record at the start of the campaign.

The Londoners collected just five points from their opening ten games, earning Spackman the boot and replacement Willie Donachie having to pull them out of the mire.

They ended up 10th, way short of even a spot in the play offs.


9. Oxford United - 2001/2

There was an air of gloom around Oxford United in 2001 - the club had ended their time at Manor Ground with relegation from the third tier.

Step forward former Oxen player, local boy done good, and ex-England international - Mark Wright. He had impressed in his first manager's job at Southport and seemed like the man to get Oxford moving again.

He wasn't. The squad looked strong, vastly experienced, and well capable of challenging at the right end.

With 19 games played and sitting just three points off the bottom, Wright - already suspended by the FA after alleged racist comments to a match day official - resigned.

Successor Ian Atkins inherited a shambles of a squad which ended up a pitiful 21st with just 47 points to their name.


8. Hull City - 2002/3

Tigers Tigers burning bright. The future looked optimistic for Hull in the summer of 2002.

Their money troubles behind them, a new ground on the way, and a big name manager proven in the lower leagues.

Everyone was tipping City to finally realise their potential. However, things didn't quite go according to plan for Jan Molby.

The Tigers registered just 12 points from their first 12 games and a loss at Kidderminster - the club Molby had walked out on months earlier to join Hull - saw his reign brought to a quick end.

Peter Taylor assumed control, but even he failed to turn around their fortunes. Despite resources the envy of the rest of the division, they ended the season in 13th.


7. Leeds United - 2006/7

Leeds had ended the previous campaign as losing play off finalists to Watford. Hopes were high that Kevin Blackwell's side could now go one better.

Perhaps it was a reaction to their close miss a few months earlier, but the Yorkshire side got off to a miserable start and the manager was fired after just eight games.

He left United in the bottom three, but with enough time and a squad more than capable of getting themselves out of trouble.

So you'd think. Replacement Dennis Wise failed to get the most out a team that had come to within 90 minutes of the Premier League and Leeds dropped out of the division with a whimper having entered administration.


6. Sheffield Wednesday - 2003/4

How the mighty had fallen. Wednesday had been a staple of the top flight during the previous decade, but fell down to League One in 2003.

Boss Chris Turner revamped his squad - aiming to steer his home town club back up at the first attempt.

They almost did make it out of League One - but at the wrong end. The Owls ended up 16th - just three points above the relegation zone and a place in the basement division.

Financially troubled off the pitch, perhaps, but Wednesday's squad's toiling and finishing below the likes of Wrexham and Hartlepool was embarrassing.


5. Bradford City - 2007-10

Still flopping. The pre-season choice for League Two winners of every national newspaper for the past four seasons, City continue to disappoint.

They were relegated to the basement division in 2007, promptly installed legend Stuart McCall as manager, and sold 13,000 season tickets on the cheap.

McCall failed to get them even challenging for the top seven for two-and-a-half years before Peter Taylor was appointed his successor.

Last season's positive end has been followed by a dreadful start this term though - they currently sit in 19th. Still time to turn it around and avoid another flop.


4. Ipswich Town - 2009/10

Resources. Check. Money invested. Check. Decent crowds. Check. Proven manager at this level. Check.

Everything seemed set up for Ipswich last season. How they could fail to challenge now Roy Keane was manager?

How? Try not recording a win in their first 14 games - a run which left them bottom of the table.

Albeit there were plenty of draws in that run - which saw Keane avoid an early axe - but Town fans were not getting value for considerable money.

The Suffolk outfit ended the campaign in 15th - well short of a place in the top six, which had been the minimum requirement.


3. Nottingham Forest - 2005/6

Forest made history in 2005 when they became the first winner of the European Cup to drop into their country's third tier of domestic football.

Their embarrassment didn't stop there though. Despite the lower league experience of manager Gary Megson, Forest failed to get to grips with life in League One.

When Megson was eventually sacked - they sat just four points shy of the bottom four and a possible second successive relegation.

Ultimately, a late rally at the end of the term saw them just miss out on a place in the play offs. A talented squad had made a complete meal of the season though.


2. Coventry City - 2001/2

He may yet get onto a future list with Boro but, for now, Gordon Strachan will have to make do with this failure at Coventry.

The Warwickshire side had just been relegated from the top flight under the Scot after over 30 years amongst the country's elite.

However, they were determined to bounce back immediately - ambition illustrated by the £5 million signing of West Brom striker Lee Hughes.

Three losses in their first five games saw Strachan dismissed though, and replacement Roland Nilsson was unable to coax any consistency out of one of the division's strongest squads.

An end of season 11th place was well below-par, particularly as a Hughes-less West Brom went on to gain promotion.


1. Bristol Rovers - 2001/2

You could probably excuse Rovers for still being in a state of shock when they began their League Two campaign in 2001.

Just 12 months after finishing 7th in the third tier, they had been relegated down to the basement division. Unthinkable.

Still, at least they had retained a strong squad - including promising striker Nathan Ellington. At least they would walk all over opponents and gain promotion with ex-Spurs boss and club legend Gerry Francis in charge.

How wrong they were. Francis was a flop, and the Gas ended the campaign in 23rd - second bottom of the entire 92 club and the lowest position in the club's entire history.

Had they done the same 12 months later, they would have been relegated into the Conference. Rovers got lucky.

Wednesday show their Steel

With Sheffield Wednesday taking an early lead at the top of League One, Turls looks at how the Owls have responded after relegation last term.

Sheffield Wednesday fans have recent experience of life in League One

It's easy to get dragged into the never-ending negativity that surrounds football. The constant stream of clubs in financial danger. Players getting arrested. Fans getting in brawls. Unnecessary sackings and ridiculous hirings.

It's enough to make a grown man weep. But, as we wipe away the tears, several beacons of hope are shining out across the footballing landscape.

Torquay currently shine as one of the brightest after going nearly 1000 minutes without conceding a goal. Although I'm not a great fan of the Gulls, it's brilliant to see a former Non League club doing so well after having serious off pitch problems.

I'm here to tell you about another club who have been hanging out with KC and the Sunshine Band though - Sheffield Wednesday.

Oh, how the Owls are soaring. After years of what can only be deemed underachievement, Wednesday fans are enjoying a fantastic start to the season.

Losing to Brentford on Sunday puts something of a dampener on this piece, but I'm going to go ahead with it anyway.

Top of the league with ten points from a possible 15, through to the next round of the mighty JPT and, with Southampton trying to shoot themselves in the foot, they could well see themselves staying at the top all season.

Now, I know what you're going to say, "It's early days," and, "They've only played five games," and, "Nobody reads your blog so stop wasting valuable internet space."

Well, these are all valid points and I heartily agree with all of them - except saying nobody reads the blog because I've seen the statistics.

It is too soon to start saying the league is theirs to lose, or saying another team's season is over. The point is - Sheffield Wednesday have bounced back remarkably well since getting relegated from the Championship last year.

They went down on the final day of the season after drawing with relegation rivals Crystal Palace, but that appeared to be the least of their worries.

Off the pitch, the Owls were in a spot of real bother. It's a familiar story with Wednesday, and you have to wonder how long it will be before the club sorts itself out off the pitch.

There have been many questions asked of Wednesday off the pitch and, at the moment, they don't appear to have all the answers. On the field though, answers are being hurled back at an alarming rate.

Owls boss Alan Irvine is aiming for promotion back to the Championship

League One is a notoriously difficult division to win after getting relegated. Leeds and Nottingham Forest are the two biggest names to have struggled to get back into the Championship.

Wednesday have experienced in the division having spent a couple of seasons in the third tier a few years ago. Although the team now is completely different to then, it is valuable knowledge that could help them gain automatic promotion.

Look at the team, and you'll struggle to find many better squads in the division.

Neil Mellor will thrive in League One - as his recent performance against Hartlepool showed - and, with the club managing to hold onto Marcus Tudgay and Jermaine Johnson, they're not lacking options up top.

In defence they are very tight, and have only conceded twice in the league. With the very experienced Darren Purse running the backline and Nicky Weaver between the sticks, Owls fans should be prepared for an unusual season of defensive strength.

They key asset to this squad, too, is the manager, Alan Irvine. We here at Soccer AM/MW are fans of Irvine and were shocked and appalled when Preston North End decided to sack him in favour of Darren Ferguson.

The decision seemed harsh and unnecessary. North End were sitting in a comfortable position and, although they showed no signs of pushing for the play offs, they had a better chance of success with Irvine than an unproven manager who had bought his way up the leagues.

Irvine took charge of Wednesday last season and, although he couldn't help them stave off relegation, he had put them in a great position to bounce right back.

He knows the club is in a precarious financial position and his role is to get them back into the Championship at the first time of asking.

There are some tough teams in the division and it won't be easy, but the foundation is there for it to happen.

Mentally, this is a tough task, but it is a task Irvine feels can be accomplished with minimum fuss. He can look at the success of Leicester and Norwich as inspiration.

Along with that, there is the potential for him to stick two fingers up to former club Preston.

If Wednesday get promoted and North End relegated, then Irvine will feel he's gone some of the way to proving they were wrong to sack him. A fact the rest of the footballing world is already well aware of.

Big Match Review - Colchester 1 Sheffield Wed 1

Colchester United 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday

Saturday August 14, Weston Homes Community Stadium, (Att: 6,011)

Neil Mellor's individual goal seven minutes from time earned Sheffield Wednesday a point after Colchester appeared on course for their first league win of the season.

Wednesday, buoyed by two wins from their opening two games, began the game on top and were unfortunate not to take the lead through Clinton Morrison.

Neat play in midfield saw Marcus Tudgay unleash Gary Teale down the left and, when his cross was parried onto Morrison by home keeper Mark Cousins, the ball ricocheted off the post before being desperately hacked away.

However, the Owls were made to pay when the Essex team took the lead just five minutes into the second half.

Good play in the middle of the park saw the ball worked out to the right and Andy Bond unleashed an unstoppable swerving effort with the outside of his boot into the net from 25 yards.

Ahead, John Ward's men scented a scalp and could have wrapped things up but David Mooney saw his low shot from outside the box come back off the post.

It was to prove costly, as Wednesday snatched a draw late on. Mark Beevers headed into the box and Mellor showed great control, with first his chest and then his head, to work the space and smash home the equaliser.

A valuable point for Alan Irvine's side, who remain unbeaten so far. Colchester were still left searching for their first three points of the campaign though.

Big Match Preview

Colchester United vs. Sheffield Wednesday

Saturday August 14, 15:00, Weston Homes Community Stadium

Two sides hoping to be involved towards the top of League One this season meet at the weekend as Sheffield Wednesday make the trip south to face Colchester United.

For the visitors, it's their first away trip of the season as they adjust back to life in the third tier following relegation from the Championship in May.

While the hosts, who competed for a top six position last season but ultimately missed out on the cut, will be hoping to be in and around the play off challenge again.

It's been a summer of change in Essex as boss Aidy Boothroyd left the club after less than a year to take charge at Championship team Coventry.

United turned to his assistant, the experienced John Ward, to take over at the helm and are hoping he can repeat his success at Carlisle - when he took the Cumbrians into the League One play offs in 2008.

They started the season with a topsy turvy 2-2 draw at Exeter where, having fallen behind early on, two goals in as many minutes from Anthony Wordsworth turned the match in their favour.

However, a late leveller from Richard Logan prevented the U's from travelling back from Devon with all three points - and Ward will be looking to lift his side from that disappointment for the visit of the Owls.

He will also hope they can maintain the excellent home form they displayed at the Weston Homes Community Stadium last term - winning 15 and losing just three of their home matches.

Notable names in the Colchester team include midfield duo Kem Izzet and David Perkins, and strikers Ian Henderson and Kayode Odejayi - who provide an awkward front duo for opposition defences.

Young striker David Mooney, on loan from Reading, also bagged a brace in their League Cup 3-0 win at Hereford in midweek and will be hoping for a start at the weekend.

If he selected though, he'll face a difficult time against Wednesday - one of the pre-season favourites for promotion straight back up to the top two divisions.

Alan Irvine's side got their season off to the perfect start at Hillsborough last weekend, too, as they comfortably saw off minnow Dagenham & Redbridge 2-0.

Sheffield Wednesday boss Alan Irvine is a man under pressure this season

It was the kind of high-pressure and potential banana-skin affair that the Yorkshire club will have to get used to this season with expectations of success high amongst supporters.

They also successfully negotiated their way past Bury in the League Cup on Tuesday night - to continue their 100 per cent start to the campaign.

Irvine will know that continuing that good start is essential - not least to help him remain in a job. Fortunately, his summer recruitment means the Owls are blessed with one of the strongest squads in the division.

Particularly up-front, where the likes of Clinton Morrison, Marcus Tudgay, Paul Heffernan, and on-loan Neil Mellor offer an embarrassment of riches that's the envy of the rest of League One.

Wednesday also have a blend of midfield strength and creativity in the form of summer signings Chris Sedgwick, Gary Teale, and Giles Coke.

Whether a squad high in quality can handle the tag of being one of the favourites remains to be seen - and a trip to Colchester should provide them with a stern examination.

Both sides have got off to promising starts to the season - and United will be keen to claim the scalp of the Owls. However, I think this one may end all square.

Nobes' Prediction: Colchester United 1 Sheffield Wednesday 1

Wise to leave Owls

After Sheffield Wednesday are relegated from the Championship, Nobes explains why it might be best for man and club if there's a change of manager.

Alan Irvine has been unable to save Wednesday from relegation to League One

In the end, a season of 46 games and nine months came down to just five desperate minutes of stoppage time for Sheffield Wednesday.

Ultimately, their quest to find the goal which would have meant salvation for themselves and relegation for opponents Crystal Palace proved fruitless.

And so, after four seasons in the Championship, the Owls have been relegated back to League One.

It also means a summer of reflection and recriminations after a relegation that nobody expected back in August and one that, on the face of it, appeared completely avoidable.

Nobody will be doing that more than Wednesday boss Alan Irvine. The likeable Scot, who took over at Hillsborough in January, had hoped to save the club from dropping into the third tier.

An initial good run of results hinted that, just as he did when taking over at Preston North End in 2007, he would be able to lift a struggling club away from Championship relegation danger.

However, that early run was not to be sustained, culminating in Sunday's shoot-out against Palace - a game where Wednesday always appeared the weaker of the two teams.

Unlike at North End, Irvine was unable to turn the tide. Yes, he had two months fewer than his SOS mission at Deepdale, but it could also be argued that, in terms of quality, he was working with a better squad to start with.

Back in early 2008, Preston owner Trevor Hemmings had opened the purse strings and allowed his new manager to bolster the PNE ranks.

Perhaps his early honeymoon at Hillsborough in January papered over the cracks of a squad that, as with Preston, was in need of strengthening. It wasn't just confidence that Wednesday lacked - it was out-and-out quality.

After all, this was a team who, under previous boss Brian Laws and then caretaker Sean McAuley, had gone 11 matches without winning. It is that run, more than anything, which has proved so costly.

However, everybody possesses 20:20 hindsight, indeed, in December, I myself spoke about Wednesday having the quality to avoid being involved in any relegation scrap.

Not only did they lack the ability to stop themselves being embroiled in a battle at the bottom though, they didn't even have enough to stay up.

It would only be the harshest of Owls fans who would therefore lay the blame for relegation at Irvine's door.

However, that understanding and patience will quickly evaporate if Wednesday aren't challenging for an instant return to the Championship next season.

This is where the 51-year-old must make a difficult decision. He is not a quitter, but he is also honourable and, although he might not admit it publically, offering his resignation would have crossed his mind.

Of course, it's not something which should be done in the heat of the moment. However, it is something he should lend thought to.

After all, a study of the history books suggests that Irvine bringing Wednesday back at the first attempt is unlikely.

Wednesday's loyal fans must face up to life in League One again next season

Indeed, they need only look at the last time they went down - in 2003. They stuck by boss Chris Turner who, like Irvine, had come in mid-way through the season and had been unable to save Wednesday from the drop.

In their first season in League One they only narrowly avoided dropping straight down to the basement division. A poor start in the following campaign saw Turner replaced by Paul Sturrock - and it was he who led them to promotion through the play-offs at the end of the season.

It would be fair to say that Wednesday are in a much better state both on and off the pitch than the last time they entered the third tier though.

However, failure to bounce back under the same manager who presided over relegation is a recurring story.

Of the last 33 teams relegated from the Championship, only two - Walsall and Crewe - have been promoted back at the first attempt under the same manager. Although Charlton may yet manage it this term.

Both Walsall and Crewe were smaller clubs with less pressure and who had managers who knew the lower divisions well. None of which applies to Irvine and Wednesday.

Their situation is more similar to that of Leeds, who failed to return in their first season - albeit they were hampered by a points deduction and saw boss Dennis Wise depart. The Yorkshire outfit are now on the brink of escaping - at the third attempt.

Nottingham Forest, likewise, kept faith with Gary Megson in 2005 when they were demoted to League One. However, Megson couldn't halt the downward spiral at the City Ground and was sacked a few months later.

Ultimately, it took the twice former European Champions three years to escape life in the third tier.

Contrast that with the fortunes of Leicester and Norwich. The Foxes made a clean break - sacking boss Ian Holloway and replacing him with Nigel Pearson after relegation in 2008.

The new manager led them to the League One title and instant promotion. Norwich have done the same under Paul Lambert this term - although he came in after only a few games.

The board at Carrow Road had obviously, and correctly, felt that a new man at the helm was required - rather than club legend Bryan Gunn - who had been in charge when the Canaries were relegated.

It is the theory that a new manager, a new regime, and a clean break from the previous season of misery and pain can help renew a club.

Someone coming in with fresh ideas, energy, and impetus - a new voice on the training ground that can motivate a group of players dispirited after demotion.

For that reason Irvine leaving now could actually be good for the club. Him leaving the club of his own volition now though could actually be more beneficial to his long-term career too.

True, he could stay on at Hillsborough and mastermind an instant return to the Championship - earning him hero status in the blue half of Sheffield. As we've seen though - history proves how difficult that is.

Or, he can walk away and let a new man lead the promotion charge. Little blame can be attached to him for Wednesday's failure to stay up - and he can leave with his head held high that he gave it his best shot.

He was always fighting to turn around their fortunes, and the relegation won't prove to be too much of a black mark on a CV which deserved much more than the sack at Preston.

With that record, and as a capable coach as well as his managerial experience, he won't be short on offers to return to the game. Although he may even appreciate a break from the game to re-assess his methods and approach.

If he was to stay on at Wednesday though - where expectations will be huge - and not get off to a good start, he could soon find himself given the sack again.

Although he may receive a financial pay-off - unlike if he resigned - choosing to leave now would show him to be the man of dignity and decency that he is.

It is those characteristics which may also lead him to stay on though - not wanting to leave the club when they are at a low ebb for the benefit of his own prospects in the future.

However, when the Owls sacked Laws, I spoke about them needing to make the right decisions for their long-term good. It is now time for both Wednesday and Irvine to do the same again.

Big Match Review - Sheffield Wednesday 2 Crystal Palace 2

Championship

Sheffield Wednesday 2-2 Crystal Palace

Sunday May 2, Hillsborough, (Att: 37,121)

Crystal Palace earned the draw which was enough to keep them in the Championship and condemn Wednesday to League One football next season.

Going into the game the scenario was clear - anything less than a win for the hosts and they would be relegated. If they did collect all three points, it would be the Londoners playing in League One from August.

In front of a full and passionate house at Hillsborough, the first sight of goal went to the visitors. The influential Darren Ambrose pulling the ball back for Shaun Derry.

His shot was well saved from close range by Lee Grant as Wednesday survived an early scare.

Palace, only still involved in the relegation fight after being deducted ten points for entering administration, were showing the greater composure and quality on the ball.

At the heart of that was Ambrose, and he forced Grant into action again with a free kick beaten away by the Owls goalkeeper.

It was no surprise then when Palace took the lead after 24 minutes. Ambrose's corner catching out a static home defence and Alan Lee had space to crash a header home.

Wednesday were stung into action, however, while it may have been Paul Hart in the technical area, Palace were still showing the kind of grit and determination associated with their former boss Neil Warnock.

Their physicality and strength in the air at both ends was clearly on show. Time after time, hopeful balls lofted up by the Owls were meat and drink to Palace centre halves Matt Lawrence and Paddy McCarthy.

Just when it seemed the Eagles would head into the break ahead though, Wednesday grabbed an equaliser.

Danny Butterfield failed to deal with a long ball forward and, instead of clearing, he was robbed by Leon Clarke who made his way into the box and curled the ball past Julian Speroni from the tightest of angles.

It was the lift Alan Irvine's side so badly required, and set up a pulsating second half where Wednesday knew a goal would be enough.

In torrential rain over the Steel City, the home side ratcheted up the pressure with a succession of set plays and balls into the box causing trouble for a nervous Palace defence.

It was a game which was quite literally putting the 'blood' into the 'blood and thunder'. Wednesday's James O'Connor and Darren Potter both suffering cuts to their head after challenges from Palace skipper Derry.

Luke Varney then had a fantastic opportunity to put the Owls ahead - however, his one-on-one effort was thwarted by the excellent Speroni.

Despite their pressure, it was the away side, having ridden the early storm from Wednesday, who re-established their lead with their first attack of the second half.

Darren Ambrose celebrates the goal which kept Palace in the Championship

Wednesday failed to deal with a throw-in and Sean Scannell was able to wriggle away and pull the ball back for Ambrose to drive the ball home from inside the box.

It was a crucial goal from Palace's top scorer and knocked the stuffing out of the home side's survival hopes.

The Yorkshire side responded though, and only a last ditch tackle from McCarthy stopped ex-Palace man Tom Soares when he was through on goal.

With time running out, and Palace dropping deeper, Wednesday threw on Francis Jeffers and began to pump the ball forward in hope.

And it was the substitute who missed a great chance to level with ten minutes remaining - failing to connect to Jermaine Johnson's inviting cross from the right.

However, with just three minutes left of normal time, Wednesday did pull level. A long throw from Tommy Spurr was flicked on by Varney and captain Darren Purse crashed the ball in at the back post.

It set-up a grandstand finish as Wednesday piled forward in five minutes of stoppage time - looking for the goal which would mean salvation.

Open at the back, Palace almost sealed the deal as a two-on-one breakaway saw Stern John denied by Grant and Wednesday scramble the ball off the line.

It would only prove to be a temporary reprieve for the Owls though as seconds later Mike Dean blew the final whistle to confirm Palace were safe and Wednesday doomed.

Survival Sunday

Here are the articles from Turls, Lakes, and Nobes about the Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace relegation decider.

Wednesday vs. Palace
Turls's preview of the match.

Relegation records
Nobes looks at Wednesday and Palace's previous relegation battles.

Relegation showdowns
Nobes look at previous final day relegation shoot-outs.

Sheffield Wednesday vs. Crystal Palace LIVE
Lakes with his unique commentary on the big match.

Big Match Preview

Championship

Sheffield Wednesday vs. Crystal Palace

Sunday May 2, 13:00, Hillsborough

It's a relegation showdown in the Steel City this Sunday as Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace battle it out knowing, come full time, one of them will be relegated to League One.

Their respective seasons and nine months worth of matches come down to just 90 minutes to shape their destiny.

Wednesday go into the match knowing anything less than a win will consign them to relegation from the Championship after five seasons back in the second tier.

If they do emerge victorious, it will be Palace who take the drop into League One to complete a miserable season for the Londoners - who are only still in trouble after entering administration and having ten points deducted.

For Alan Irvine's Owls, this game represents a huge lifeline. Despite not winning in their last six games, they still have a chance of staying up.

Their home record since the Scot was appointed in January has generally been good, collecting 17 points from ten matches.

That's included vital wins over fellow strugglers Watford, Plymouth, and Peterborough, and impressive victories against high flying Blackpool and Leicester.

A repeat performance will be required this weekend with Irvine looking to top scorer Marcus Tudgay and strike partner Luke Varney to find the goals which could mean salvation.

Messrs Irvine and Hart face a tense final day at Hillsborough

Despite their position at the bottom - Palace will travel to South Yorkshire with great confidence - knowing only promoted duo Newcastle and West Brom are harder to beat on the road in the Championship this term.

They've lost just five of their 22 away games this term, albeit drawing half of them. However, a 12th draw would be enough to see them send Wednesday down and retain their place in the second tier.

They'll be conscious though that they could have already sealed survival in recent weeks, and missed another opportunity with Monday evening's draw against West Brom.

Eagles boss Paul Hart will have to without the services of winger, and second top scorer, Neil Danns - after his sending off against the Baggies. However, top scorer Darren Ambrose, who has bagged 19 from midfield, could be vital to their hopes.

You can almost forget all the past 45 matches when looking ahead to this one. It's a one-off, almost play-off final affair. The pressure will be intense in front of a huge crowd at Hillsborough.

Wednesday have to win, but that can often be an easier way to approach a game compared to Palace - who know they only need to avoid defeat.

For that reason, and home advantage, as well as a penchant for final day drama - I'm going for Wednesday to sneak it and stay up.

Nobes' Prediction: Sheffield Wednesday 2 Crystal Palace 1

Big Match Review - Sheff Wed 2 Peterborough 1

Championship

Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 Peterborough United

Saturday January 23, Hillsborough, (Att: 24,882)

Wednesday made it three wins out of three under new boss Alan Irvine as Marcus Tudgay's brace held off troubled Peterborough in their relegation six pointer.

The home side, boosted by their recent victories, started on the front foot and were unfortunate not to take the lead when Darren Potter's shot from outside the area was deflected onto the bar.

Posh responded immediately with Reuben Reid's header from a corner bouncing off the top off Lee Grant's bar in the Wednesday goal.

And it was from another corner that the Owls went close again - this time United keeper Joe Lewis tipping over Darren Purse's header from Michael Gray's flag kick.

However, from the following corner Irvine's men did take the lead - Tudgay flicking the ball in at the near post past Lewis at the end of the first half.

The same player almost doubled the home team's advantage at the start of the second period but saw his effort cleared off the line by a Posh defender before a shot from Gray was similarly thwarted.

He was to extend Wednesday's lead mid-way through the second-45 though. Another corner, this time finding the former-Derby man at the back post, to simply head past the hapless Lewis.

The Cambridgeshire outfit responded though, and only an expert save by Grant from Scott Griffith's low drive maintained the home team's lead.

However, Mark Cooper's side did pull one back with a quarter of an hour remaining. After Wednesday failed to clear the ball from their area the ball broke to Jack Livermore to sweep the ball home.

Despite Peterborough's late bombardment though, the Owls hung on to deliver victory for Irvine on his Hillsborough debut.

However, while Wednesday move up to 20th in the table, the result leaves Posh nine points from safety at the bottom and staring relegation in the face.

Big Match Preview

Championship

Sheffield Wednesday vs. Peterborough United

Saturday January 23, 15:00, Hillsborough

Two Championship strugglers meet in a crucial six pointer in South Yorkshire this weekend as new Sheffield Wednesday manager Alan Irvine takes charge of his first home game.

Irvine, who was surprisingly dismissed by Preston at the end of December, took over at Hillsborough 10 days later to join a Wednesday team languishing in the bottom three.

It that was drop into the relegation zone which saw the Owls part company with Brian Laws before turning to Irvine who help lead their battle against the drop to League One.

And the 51-year-old got off to the perfect start with a 2-1 win at local rivals Barnsley at the weekend - the club's first win in three months - followed by victory at Blackpool by the same scoreline on Tuesday night.

Wednesday's struggles this season have come as a surprise though. Last season's top half finish was supposed to be followed by a push for the play-offs, but things haven't gone according to plan as they lie 21st.

However, Irvine can still call upon the services of the likes of forwards Marcus Tudgay and Jermaine Johnson and in Lee Grant the Owls have one of the top keepers in the division.

If Wednesday are in need of points though, opponents Peterborough require a win even more than their hosts with Mark Cooper's side currently rock bottom of the Championship.

Irvine and Cooper have taken over clubs in relegation danger

Cooper, who replaced Darren Ferguson as boss at London Road in November, has managed just a single win in his nine league games at Posh to date - a 2-1 victory over Watford.

Last weekend they slumped to a poor 3-0 home defeat to Derby, a result which leaves them a full five points adrift of safety.

Posh, promoted as runners-up from League One last season, are also the only side in the division yet to record an away win - so will be up against it in the Steel City.

Just four draws in their 12 away fixtures sum up what has a struggling season of transition for the Cambridgeshire outfit who have found the step-up in quality too big.

However, on their day they have the quality going forwards to trouble any side - as shown in their recent fightback from 4-0 down to draw with Cardiff.

Should the likes of Aaron McLean, George Boyd, and Craig Mackail-Smith find their shooting boots then United have the firepower to trouble Irvine's men this weekend.

A new manager usually has a honeymoon period though, and Wednesday should be buoyant after their victories at Oakwell and Bloomfield Road. It's a game Peterborough really can't afford to lose, but they might just.

Nobes' Prediction: Sheffield Wednesday 1 Peterborough United 0

Bye Laws

Brian Laws should look probably look back on his time at Sheffield Wednesday with immense personal pride.

That's because, despite leaving Hillsborough on Sunday with the club struggling in the relegation zone, his tenure of just over three years brought badly needed stability to the Yorkshire outfit.

Since relegation from the Premier League in 2000, it's largely been a decade of despair for the Owls, reflected in the rapid turnover of managers in the Steel City.

Paul Jewell, Peter Shreeves, Terry Yorath, and Chris Turner all failed to turn around the club's fortunes, ultimately ending in relegation to League One in 2003.

Turner's replacement, Paul Sturrock, helped them bounce back at the second attempt. The Scot controversially paid the price for failing to progress away from fighting against the drop though, and Laws swapped the comfort of Scunthorpe for one of football's hottest hot seats.

Since then it's been a rollercoaster ride for Wednesday. Laws's impact was immediate and a strong second half saw them achieve a comfortable top half position.

However, a disastrous second season saw them fighting against relegation until securing their Championship status on the final day. Last season saw another top half finish, but their slide down the table after a promising start to this term has been worrying.

The reality is, now with ambitious new owner Lee Strafford at the helm, fighting against relegation is no longer acceptable for Wednesday. The up-and-down years of the past replaced with a drive for year-on-year progress. Ultimately, the aim is to regain their place in the Premier League.

After last season's progress and the strengthening of the side over the summer, a challenge for the play-offs looked realistic. Indeed, after 12 games of this season the side were nestled just outside the top six after a solid start.

However, the following run of nine matches without a win has seen them collect just two points and the weekend's 3-0 loss at Leicester saw them slide into the bottom three for the first time this season. Strafford felt he had to act.

It proves that all managers, even ones like Laws whose jobs appeared relatively safe and have been in post for a few years, are only a bad run of results away from getting their P45.

Laws had been in charge at Hillsborough since 2006

In all likelihood, a couple of wins in those nine games would probably have given him more time and a January transfer window to bring in any reinforcements. That luxury will now fall to a new manager.

And it is an appointment of much significance of Wednesday. After the stability under Laws they need their new manager to be somebody for the longer-term. Returning to the days of hiring and firing will do them no good.

At this stage of the season, they can probably afford to take a risk on one of the host of talented young managers, as Laws was, waiting for their chance at a higher level. The Owls still have the quality to avoid being involved in any relegation scrap.

Or will Strafford plump for a more experienced head, someone who will guide the team away from immediate trouble, but who may not be able to take them any further than the mid-table finishes Laws achieved?

The life-long fan and chairman must find someone who can help engineer his dreams for Wednesday, and ensure this nightmare run is merely a blip.