Sideways Sammy

Last week’s sensational win over league leaders Leicester City demonstrated that Coventry City are capable of taking on the best in the division and winning. It is a result that announces this team as one that should be taken seriously in terms of end of season achievements. However, it is imperative that the victory wasn’t just one result but can be used to solidify the Sky Blues’ current league position.

A trip to a Sheffield Wednesday side currently in the bottom three and whom Coventry beat comfortably just a few weeks ago theoretically provides the opportunity to keep the momentum going, however, the Owls are a very different prospect at home than on the road under the management of Danny Rohl and have been bolstered by a couple of handy January recruits. As other top six contenders, such as Hull City and Cardiff City, can attest to, a trip to Hillsborough is not one to be taken lightly right now.

Expected Line-Up

It probably is as simple for Mark Robins as naming the same XI as the one that defeated Leicester City. After a positive performance, a full week of rest and no sign of the injury situation being any different, there doesn’t look to be a reason for the manager to change things up. The only possible area for consideration would be if the impact of any of Ellis Simms, Jamie Allen or Jay Dasilva from the bench last time out was strong enough to change the manager’s thinking.

Jamie Allen and Ellis Simms probably have the strongest claims to make the step up to the starting XI. However, there is probably a stronger argument for keeping them on the bench to make an impact later on. Simms’ physicality and pace could be useful in giving the team an outlet in attack, but Matt Godden did a decent enough job at that last week to warrant staying in the team. Similarly, Allen’s forward-thinking energy could help City play on the front foot here but the concern is that Sheffield Wednesday’s pressing game could force him to play a little too close to his own goal than he is comfortable with.

This game is probably still a little too soon for recent signing, Victor Torp, to be involved in given that he is still likely to be building his fitness up having had six weeks without football. There doesn’t appear to be any indication either that Haji Wright will be back soon, which is why changes for this game are especially unlikely.

Last Time We Met

It was a pretty comfortable Boxing Day win for Coventry City over Sheffield Wednesday at the CBS Arena. The Owls will have felt somewhat aggrieved about the important opening goal, as they were down to ten-men with their forward, Callum Paterson off the pitch with a head injury, providing the home side with the control to work their first chance of the game, that Tatushiro Sakamoto duly tucked home.

Sheffield Wednesday had looked pretty passive in the first-half but found some energy in the second to push up the pitch and begin to worry Brad Collins in the Coventry City goal. They probably should have levelled mid-way through the half during a goalmouth scramble that the Sky Blues just about managed to survive. Ahead of any stoppage time drama, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto curled in a lovely finish to put the result beyond doubt.

After what had been a routine, almost incident-free affair, Sheffield Wednesday’s Bambo Diaby took it upon himself at the final whistle to make things more interesting, appearing to head-butt Liam Kitching on multiple occasions before both were sent off and handed bans that they have only just returned from. Round Two to come next?

The Opposition

The Manager – Danny Rohl

For a young, first-time manager walking into what looked like a basket case of a club, Danny Rohl has made an extraordinary impact at Sheffield Wednesday. Rock bottom of the table upon Rohl’s arrival, with one of the worst squads in the division and an owner who looked to be actively trying to get the club relegated, the German has turned the place around, instilling an energetic style of pressing football, getting buy-in from both players and fans, to build a positive mentality that has the Owls on the verge of safety.

Danny Rohl’s impact has been particularly notable at Hillsborough itself, where Sheffield Wednesday have the 11th best home record in the division since his arrival – which is impressive given the quality of the team at the manager’s disposal. Given the manager’s preference for high-intensity pressing, the Owls have been freer to play more aggressively on home soil and have caused problems for some of the best teams in the division in their own territory under Rohl’s management. This is going to be a very different test to the one Coventry City edged past on Boxing Day.

Who To Look Out For?

Danny Rohl has given confidence to Sheffield Wednesday’s forward players, with winger Anthony Musaba and academy striker, Bailey Cadamarteri, blossoming under the German manager. Musaba’s pace, skill and unpredictability have been a huge source of inspiration for the Owls in recent months, while Cadamarteri’s tireless running and goalscoring knack up front have been invaluable in getting the team’s pressing game going and in nicking results.

Those attacking options have been bolstered recently by the return of Josh Windass to fitness to play the number ten role. Windass is a very energetic, skilful forward who’ll join in with the pressing but also has the ability to score something from nothing that can turn games on their head. In addition, the loan signing of Ike Ugbo adds another valuable strike option, having scored four in 20 in a low-scoring Cardiff City side earlier this season and as someone who linked up well with the aforementioned Anthony Musaba while the duo were with Cercle Brugge a few years ago.

As ever with Sheffield Wednesday, Barry Bannan remains a class performer for his ability to run games from the centre of the park with his ludicrous passing range. Danny Rohl has looked to find the right midfield partner for Bannan to cover the gaps he leaves off the ball, with Di’Shon Bernard, a centre-back, having played there recently, but the more orthodox defensive midfielder, Will Vaulks, may be preferred for this game.

With the exception of the attack-minded Marvin Johnson from left-back (who looks set to join Ipswich Town), Sheffield Wednesday’s defensive unit is about solidity and physical aggression, with Bambo Diaby taking the lead there. The recent addition of James Beadle in goal on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion after an impressive stint at Oxford United earlier in the season could be a key area of improvement over the remainder of the campaign, adding a goalkeeper who can not only make big saves but keep play ticking over with their distribution.

Where The Game Will Be Won Or Lost

Coventry City will have to be prepared for a highly intense press from Sheffield Wednesday, as they look to disrupt the Sky Blues’ rhythm in building from the back and attempt to force errors. That will put pressure on the trio of Brad Collins, Bobby Thomas and Liam Kitching to keep play ticking over at the back for the Sky Blues, as was seen in the period of play leading to Leicester City’s penalty last week, Coventry can be a little lackadaisical at times when moving the ball around the defence. In Anthony Musaba, Josh Windass and Bailey Cadamarteri, Sheffield Wednesday have players fully capable of turning high turnovers into chances and goals.

If Coventry City can get beyond that initial pressure, there is the opportunity to drag Sheffield Wednesday’s defensive players around the pitch and cause problems. Callum O’Hare should be looking to take advantage of the space in midfield that Barry Bannan will leave behind him in order to get on the turn and scramble the opposing defence. Additionally, the prospect of Tatsuhiro Sakamoto and Milan van Ewijk combining against Akin Famewo, a centre-back, on Wednesday’s left side looks an area of opportunity.