Sheffield Wednesday host Doncaster at Hillsborough on Saturday as they go in search of their first win of the campaign.
The Owls lost on penalties to Championship side Huddersfield in the Carabao Cup before drawing 0-0 with Nigel Adkins’ Charlton on the opening day of the League One season.
They now face a Doncaster side who lost 2-1 to AFC Wimbledon last weekend in the league before beating Walsall on penalties in the Carabao Cup this week.
On the Chalkboard
Callum Paterson was forced off with a worrying head injury against Charlton and could now miss the match against Doncaster. He was stretchered off the pitch just 16 minutes into the game, having started as the main centre-forward, and Moore could now need to make a decision on his team selection for this weekend’s clash.
The Owls boss must now unleash Lee Gregory this weekend to make his full debut for the club. The 32-year-old has joined from Championship side Stoke and could now have the perfect opportunity to come in and show what he can do in League One.
His record in the third tier is exceptional, with 35 goals and nine assists in 78 appearances in League One throughout his career, having also played 183 games in the Championship, in which he has scored 40 goals. This highlights his experience and quality in the Football League and why he could be a terrific player to bring into the Owls’ starting line-up against Doncaster.
Earlier this year, Derby manager Wayne Rooney said that Gregory was a “handful” to deal with during his loan spell at Pride Park and that he is able to give a lift to team-mates with his energy.
The 35-year-old told RamsTV, as relayed by Derby News: “I thought Lee Gregory was great for us when he came on. He showed great energy and enthusiasm.
“He was a handful and I think he really lifted the rest of the team when he came on with his energy. I was delighted with him.”
Gregory could therefore help to raise the standards of his teammates by pressing the opposition and proving a handful when out of possession. His energy could inspire others to match his levels of effort, giving Wednesday a greater chance of putting in a superb team performance instead of being lackadaisical off the ball.
Moore praised Gregory as a ‘quality player’ after the forward’s arrival at Hillsborough. The manager told Wednesday’s official website: “He’s a quality player. He adds competition to the top end of the pitch and we’re looking forward to getting him started.
“He’s knows the level, his enthusiasm and willingness that he possesses makes him a really good player and we’re glad to have him on board. He gives us that little bit more in terms of attacking options.”
The £12k-per-week attacker offered a glimpse of what he is capable of with two goals against Manchester United’s under-23 side in a friendly earlier this week. This shows that he is fit and raring to make his debut for the club, with minutes under his belt in the friendly and goals going in to boost his confidence, which is why Moore must unleash him on Saturday.
AND in other news, Joe Crann drops update on £8.4k-p/w “big player” which will leave SWFC fans buzzing…
