This Week's Opposition: Sheffield Wednesday

Photo Credit: Sheffield Wednesday

Tuesday’s loss at Barnsley was Pompey’s first since they suffered a defeat by the same scoreline away at Plymouth a month ago. This weekend they go from playing one South Yorkshire side to another, although this time on home turf.

Sheffield Wednesday make the trip down to PO4 for the Blues’ 35th league match of the season.

In the reverse fixture, which fell on the opening day of the campaign back in July, the sides shared the spoils in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Hillsborough.

We now take a deeper look into The Owls…

MANAGER

Wednesday are managed by former Pompey defender Darren Moore.

The 48-year-old has been in charge of the side since March 2021, making headlines in South Yorkshire following a shock move from county rivals Doncaster Rovers, who at the time were chasing a Play-Off place in League One.

The Owls were struggling in the 2nd tier when Moore took over and unfortunately for them, his arrival was not enough to drive them to safety, however the board of directors kept their faith in him to get them back up.

Since taking over from caretaker Neil Thompson just over 2 years ago, Moore has claimed victory in 58 of his 113 competitive games in charge.

ONE TO WATCH

Ex-Pompey midfielder George Byers, who was at Fratton Park on an end-of-season loan from Swansea City in 2021, is currently the club’s 3rd top scorer this campaign.

The Wednesday number 14 joined Darren Moore’s side in the summer of 2021 for an undisclosed fee from The Swans and has since found the back of the net on 12 occasions.

Byers has scored 6 goals this term, all in the league - Only 2 of his teammates have managed to bag more.

TOP SCORER

It’s another former Blues player under the spotlight here - Michael Smith is The Owls’ leading scorer at present.

The striker, who spent a season-and-a-half at Fratton Park, is tied with Josh Windass as Wednesday’s top scorer across all competitions this season, however Smith has contributed to more in the league.

This season, the forward has been wearing the number 24 shirt.

CURRENT FORM

Darren Moore’s side are the side to beat in League One as things stand.

Wednesday are sitting comfortably at the top of League One with 74 points, level with 2nd place Plymouth Argyle but having played 2 games fewer.

The Owls are 5 points ahead of Ipswich in 3rd, with 2 games in hand on them as well.

If you thought those stats were a bit frightening, Blues fans, just wait until you hear when the last time Wednesday suffered a league defeat - It was the 4th of October when Plymouth beat them 2-1 at Home Park, meaning they have since gone 21 league matches unbeaten!

They are currently on a run of 4 straight wins.

Can the Blues miraculously find a way through this Sheffield Wednesday team, or will they end the week without a league victory from 2 attempts to do so?

Tune in for all of the unmissable action when Pompey Live returns this Saturday at 2 O'Clock. Jake Smith sits in to host in the absence of Robbie James and will be joined by Portsmouth Women head coach Jay Sadler.