DUNKLEY CAN UNDERSTAND OWLS OF FURY

CHEY DUNKLEY admits rockbottom Wednesday are feeling the heat but claims they have the stomach for a relegation fight.

Now winless in eight, Tony Pulis’ men suffered more woe after Dominic Iorfa (above) ruptured an Achilles and the defender will be sidelined for up to six months.

Pulis is still searching for his first win and Dunkley, who made his Owls debut after 10 months on the sidelines with a double leg break, said: “We are going to get stick from the fans.

“Where we are, it’s expected, but whether it’s praise or criticism, we have to get on with it and do our best.

“We understand the fans’ frustration. It’s in the dressing room, we feel the pressure and have to deal with it.”

Pulis spoke of the desperate need for January reinforcements and conceded: “This is as disjointed a group as I’ve managed.

“There are six centre-halves but I don’t think we’ve got a left-back. We’ve got five 10s and really no centre-forward. It’s concerning.”

Wednesday had the perfect start when Josh Windass latched onto Barry Bannan’s pass and fired past Jack Walton.

Yet Barnsley responded in style as Cauley Woodrow headed home from a corner before Dominik Frieser finished neatly eight minutes before half-time.

Midfielder Frieser secured the Tykes’ first success over the Owls since 2009, and upset his neighbour in the process.

He revealed: “My neighbour is a Wednesday fan and I told him I’d score today. Now I have, I just hope my house is in good condition!”

Wildsmith 7, Odubajo 6, Lees 6, Dunkley 6 (Palmer 66, 6), Van Aken 6 (Pelupessy 45, 6), Reach 6, Harris 6, Iorfa 6 (Rhodes 83), Paterson 6 (Brown 84), Bannan 6, Windass 7 BARNSLEY: Walton 7, Sollbauer 6, Halme 6, Andersen 6, Brittain 6, James 6 (Kane 67, 6), Mowatt 7 (Palmer 90), Styles 7, Frieser 7 (Adeboyejo 67, 6), Woodrow 8 (Miller 86), Chaplin 7 (Thomas 67, 6)

SHEFFIELD WED:

MOTM