Sheffield Wednesday
In The News: Mon 3rd October
By Nicholas Rigg
October 3 2005
In this section of Wednesday Wonderland we take a look at how Wednesday are hitting the news: either in newspapers, or on other media websites. These articles are totally independant from Wednesday Wonderland and are not the views expressed by our site.
from Sheffield Star:
Excitement, tension, goals, a fightback by the opposition having to be overcome, then players going to the toucnhlines to applaud the fans and a rousing chorus of "Hi Ho Sheffield Wednesday" to round it all off.
It was all a bit reminiscent of May 29; it wasn't as momentous an occasion as the Play-off Final, of course, but a much-needed triumph against Coventry was just as uplifting in its own right and will be equally vital to the club's future if it turns out to have been the turning point of the season.
Fans responded to boss Paul Sturrock's call to continue backing the team; players responded with another show of guts and endeavour and no little skill. Actually, I think I have seen Wednesday play better than this in patches this season and not win. But that's a minor point when a crowd have been entertained, have seen a goal that will live long in the memory,and celebrated their side's climbing from the bottom of the table with the first league three-goal haul of the campaign.
Just how far out was Chris Brunt when he hit that volley? Using the shaded areas on the turf (each six yards wide) as a guide, it can be ascertained that he was 38 yards from goal when he hit a shot of such distance, venom, vision and accuracy that, even now, Hillsborough regulars are trying to remember when they last saw such a spectacular strike at the stadium, if ever.
Brunt certainly impressed himself! "I don't think think I've ever hit any better than that," he said.
"It moved from right to left in the air as well. I was glad to see it go in. It gave us a bit of a lift at half-time, after the ref gave a penalty that was controversial, to say the least."
Indeed, a chance to see replays of Brunt's incredible goal wasn't the only reason why fans crowded around TV screens in the South Stand foyer at half-time.
The other was to examine a penalty decision so baffling that it knocked Wednesday out of their stride for the last 15 minutes of the first half and switched the crowd's attention from roaring on the team to giving official Lee Mason a continual ear-bashing.
The video wasn't absolutely conclusive, but the path of the ball still suggested that David Lucas got a good hand on it before Gary McSheffrey went flying. The keeper was almost speechless afterwards. "If I hadn't touched the ball, it would have gone out for a goal kick. It went off at 90 degrees," he said.
Graham Coughlan went a bit further. "Disgraceful," he called the decision. But all was well that ended well. Coughlan was another star of the day, making a steady comeback at centre-half, alongside the equally solid Graeme Lee, and scoring his third goal in three appearances.
Coughlan said: "It was nice to score, and nice to win a match. I lost a few pounds when I was ill. I was laid up for a few days. I don't think I did myself justice in the reserve game on Wednesday; I gave away a penalty and Huddersfield scored from it.
"I was down in the dumps; that's lifted by this win. The character and the spirit that we have
"The front boys (David Graham and Lee Peacock) worked their socks off. It's unfortunate they didn't get on the scoresheet. They'll get them."
The strikers are inevitably under scrutiny as the Owls try to give them a hand by bringing another one in. Graham missed a chance for his third goal in four games. shooting across goal when it was 2-2.
Peacock did everything bar score, hitting the post, winning the match-winning spot-kick when he was clumsily brought down from behind by Andrew Whing, and putting an injury-time opportunity over the bar - a chance set up by a surging run from Craig Rocastle, who was a driving force in midfield.
Sturrock acknowledged: "Peacock has taken a lot of criticism, because his goal threat in the last couple of seasons has not been what it was. But, my God, he must have covered every blade of grass, headed every ball, challenged for everything. Other players benefit by his presence.
"I'm pleased for Rocastle; he's had his critics. Every time, he seems to rise to the ocassion."
Sturrock wasn't entirely happy. "We lost concentration at a set-piece, for their second goal, and we sat back at 2-1," he complained.
But it turned out to be a minor blip, with Brunt, the regular penalty-taker, seizing the ball confidently after Peacock had been fouled and, with a typical left-foot blast, completing the feat of scoring twice in a game for the first time.
Coventry manager Micky Adams could find nothing positive. "The best team won. I'm bitterly disappointed with our performance," he said. "One word - rubbish."
Coventry City 2
Chris Wilson
OWLS manager Paul Sturrock hailed Chris Brunt for a match-winning performance which helped move Wednesday off the foot of the table.
Brunt's wonderful 30-yard volley and decisive spot-kick earned the Owls a 3-2 verdict at Hillsborough – only their second league victory of the season.
Wednesday manager Sturrock was left drained by the whole experience but reserved special praise for the former Middlesbrough winger, who impressed from start to finish.
"It was like David Beckham turned up this time," said Sturrock, who in his more critical moments has likened Brunt to to the England captain's wife.
"He still cost me a goal when he lost his man for their second but he's got everything; he shoots, he is great in the air – and if we can just get him doing that every week I'll be very happy.''
"People forget he's only 20, and we are asking a lot of him. But his contribution in the second half took us up the pitch."
Graham Coughlan headed Wednesday in front off Brunt's corner, but Gary McSheffrey rifled home a 33rd-minute penalty after referee Lee Mason adjudged the same player had been fouled by goalkeeper David Lucas.
Although Brunt unleashed an unstoppable drive to give Wednesday a half-time advantage, Coventry hit back through Andy Morrell's header after 74 minutes.
But it was Brunt who was to have the final word with a fierce spot-kick, after Andrew Whing had fouled Lee Peacock in the penalty area.
"I'm delighted for the fans, delighted for the players and happy to get the win –- but I was disappointed with the two goals we conceded," added Sturrock.
"It's been a difficult time, so I've got to be pleased with the win.
"There'll come a time when there's six or eight who will be the main relegation contenders but we've got to make sure we are not in that final three.
"It gives us two weeks during the international break to get healthier and, I hope, move forward."
The win was tempered by the news striker Drew Talbot's back injury is a suspected stress fracture and may keep him out for between six to eight weeks.
City chief Micky Adams voiced a blunt assessment, meanwhile, of his side's lacklustre display.
Coventry have now won only once since August 20, and Adams described their performance as "rubbish".
"I'm bitterly disappointed and I think in the first half we were in the clouds after winning against Watford in midweek," he said.
"We've got a soft underbelly and until we sort that out we've got no chance.''
"It's back to the drawing board, and I can only apologise to our fans.''
"I think a lot of the players will have done themselves harm today and I'm looking to strengthen in all areas."
Sheffield Wednesday: Lucas, Hills, Coughlan, Lee, Simek, Brunt, Whelan, Eagles (O'Brien 77), Rocastle, Peacock, Graham (Bullen 86).
Coventry City: Bywater, Duffy, Hall, Heath, Whing, Flood (Jorgensen 60), Doyle, Hughes (Watson 89), Morrell, Scowcroft, McSheffrey.
Referee: L Mason (Lancashire).
Owls man of the match: Brunt.
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Oct 3 2005 | |
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Chris Brunt crowned a fine individual display with a stunning volley and a winning penalty to earn struggling Sheffield Wednesday victory at home to Coventry. Brunt was excellent throughout a frenetic match which burst into life when Graham Coughlan headed the home side in front after 17 minutes. Referee Lee Mason incurred the wrath of the Wednesday faithful when he gave Gary McSheffrey the chance to equalise from the penalty spot - after the same player was deemed to have been fouled by goalkeeper David Lucas. Brunt ensured Paul Sturrock's men went in at the interval in front with a sublime 30-yard hit over statuesque Coventry goalkeeper Stephen Bywater. With Wednesday two points adrift at the bottom of the league prior to kick-off, the visitors might have considered this a fixture with which to gain their first away win of the season. But even after Andy Morrell headed Micky Adams' men back into the game after 74 minutes, Wednesday continued to defy their lowly Coca-Cola Championship status and deservedly claimed three crucial points after Brunt finished from the penalty spot. Brunt underlined his good start to the game with an inswinging corner which led to the opening goal after 17 minutes. Coughlan timed his late run perfectly and rose above a ruck of players to head home at the back post with Bywater in no-man's land. If Bywater was partially at fault for the goal, he redeemed himself on the half-hour mark with a magnificent sprawling save to claw Chris Eagles' 25-yard free-kick away for a corner. But just when the home team appeared in control, Coventry hit back when Mason adjudged that Lucas had fouled McSheffrey in full flow. The 23-year-old blasted home from the spot to restore parity, with Wednesday fans feeling McSheffrey went to ground far too easily. Their anger at Mason's decision was eased with minutes of the first half remaining when Brunt fired Wednesday back in front. There appeared to be no significant danger when the ball looped into Brunt's path, but the former Middlesbrough midfielder showed outstanding technique to send his volley past Bywater and into the right corner. The 20-year-old continued to run the show after the interval and his dangerous free-kick a minute after the restart led to Lee Peacock hitting the base of the left post. Brunt then skewed Craig Rocastle's through-ball wide of the target as Wednesday went for a third goal. But Coventry drew level when Morrell headed home Richard Duffy's clever short-corner delivery. It was bitterly harsh on Wednesday, but Brunt appropriately had the final word when he converted the winning goal from the penalty spot after Andrew Whing hauled down Peacock after 79 minutes. |
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