CARVALHAL FACES AXE AFTER WOLVES SHOW TOP QUALITY
RUBEN NEVES edged a difficult game for the Championship leaders with one flash of quality. Wolves had patches of promise without penetrating until Wednesday failed to clear a freekick and Neves stroked a fine, 20-yard shot into the bottom corner on the run just after the half hour. So Wolves extended their lead at the top of the table to seven points and the defeat leaves Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal without a win in six matches as pressure mounts. Carvalhal, serving a touchline ban, was forced to take a back seat amid speculation over whether this might be his last match and the home fans held banners demanding his sacking. However, Thai owner Dejphon Chansiri does not take kindly to being told what to do. He also has a genuinely strong relationship with Carvalhal. Of Championship managers, only Ipswich’s Mick McCarthy and Millwall’s Neil Harris have served longer at their current clubs. Certainly, there was no indication that Chansiri would subject his manager to a demand to beat or even draw with high-flying Wolves. That said, fan pressure could ultimately force the issue. Five games without a win, allied to a frustratingly cautious and predictable approach, had pushed the Owls owner into having to resist calls for his manager’s head. Wednesday settled well last night and should have scored when Adam Reach volleyed wide from 12 yards. They were playing without keeper Keiren Westwood and key midfielder Barry Bannan, new additions to a long casualty list. Then John Ruddy was forced into the game’s first save from Joost van Aken’s header. Despite Wednesday dominance after the break, Romain Saiss and Leo Bonatini both came close. The home team were reduced to ten men when Morgan Fox received a second yellow card for bringing down Helder Costa just outside the area.