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Despite fears this season would be an absolute write-off for Sheffield Wednesday, the Owls have actually had a pretty decent start to the campaign.
The threadbare Sheffield Wednesday squad put in a resilient display against Leicester City last weekend and, while they came away from the King Power Stadium with no points, they can hold their heads high for a valiant effort against a top team.
Now, in midweek, they’ve come away from a Carabao Cup clash with Bolton Wanderers with a win, and it was all down to a bunch of untested Sheffield Wednesday youngsters who made the Steel City proud.
A wonder goal from Guilherme Siqueira got things started, while Ike Ugbo finally ended his goal drought, and youth star Reece Johnson also bagged for the Owls. The tie went to penalties, but it was Henrik Pedersen’s men (or boys) who held their nerve and progressed.
- READ MORE: Sheffield Wednesday share crucial Hillsborough North Stand update ahead of Stoke City visit
Phil Brown loved what he saw from Sheffield Wednesday youngsters
Naturally, the attitude of the players has led to many commending them for their efforts, while the performance was genuinely of a high quality regardless of the circumstances.
Discussing what he saw on BBC Radio Manchester, former Hull City boss Phil Brown was full of praise for the Owls youngsters, and had a demand for Dejphon Chansiri.
He said: “Wednesday were a young side and they knew they had to perform above and beyond the call of duty, having never been in this environment before. And they did it in front of a decent crowd.
“And as for the Sheffield Wednesday fans… Well, the owner, come on and have a look at what you’ve got here. It is a proper football club and now you are going to play Leeds United in the next round with a chance to go even further in the cup. Come on, just pay the bill.”
Of the starting XI, seven were part of the Under-21 squad, with the likes of Ernie Weaver and Jarvis Thornton making their full debut for the Owls.
It will be fascinating to see how many of them now go on to become an important part of Pedersen’s plans for the season ahead.
- READ MORE: Sheffield Wednesday fans will love Chris Powell’s heartfelt comments on ‘special’ Owls after exit
Sheffield Wednesday players get immense ‘credit’ from Ross Wallace
It wasn’t just neutrals showering the Owls in praise after last night’s win, with former player (and a member of our best Sheffield Wednesday XI of the 21st century, no less) Ross Wallace sharing his views with Football Heaven.
He said: “The bravery of these young lads and how they’ve tried to play and go about things. I think they’re an absolute credit to this football club.”
Sheffield Wednesday fans were proud of their players on Sunday after fighting tooth and nail to beat Leicester, and they’re even prouder now after seeing the spirit of the young players coming through.
Many rival fans now believe Wednesday could stay up this season against the odds. Whether they can manage that or not remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure, if the players keep battling like this, they’ll earn the undying love of the fans for years to come.