The Cup just does not Ad up for Owls
NORMALLY it is the higher-division team who use the FA Cup as an opportunity for squad rotation but with Sheffield Wednesday set to ring the changes for today’s trip to Middlesbrough, winger Adam Reach concedes the competition is pretty low down their priority list.
Going one better than last season’s Championship play-off final defeat is the No.1 goal, meaning Owls boss Carlos Carvalhal could bring in the likes of Vincent Sasso, Jose Semedo, Joe Wildsmith and Lucas Joao to start against Boro.
And while Reach insists the team will be going all out to see off their Premier League opponents, he concedes there won’t be many tears shed if a defeat does occur.
“Every game is important but, in all honesty, we are concentrating on the league because we all want to be in the Premier League,” said the 23year-old former Boro man.
“We’ll still go and whatever XI plays will still give it their all and try to win the game.
“Maybe the break from the league, with the FA Cup instead, is a bit of a relief for everyone.
“Hopefully we get a good result against Middlesbrough. “If not, then that’s out of the way and we can concentrate on the league again.”
Winger Callum McManaman made his first start since September 2015 in the 0-0 draw with Wolves last time out, after recently joining on-loan from West Brom. And Reach is convinced the 25-yearold can be a key cog for Wednesday once fully match-fit.
“Callum had only been with us a couple of days so it was tough for him to go straight in against Wolves,” added Reach, who joined the Owls from Boro for £5m at the end of August.
“He himself said that he was lacking a bit of fitness and game time but once Callum gets that match fitness up, and maybe he plays against Middlesbrough, he’ll be a great asset for the team.”