LOOV DRIVES OWLS TO GET FIRING AGAIN
CARLOS CARVALHAL has turned his baptism at the Liberty into an episode of On The Buses – by plotting Tottenham’s downfall on the coach ride home from a miracle.
GLENN LOOVENS has upped the stakes for today’s clash with relegation-haunted Burton by declaring it a “must-win game” for the Owls.
The defender, 34, believes his side need to bounce straight back to winning ways after a 2-0 defeat at Brentford on Saturday, as caretaker-boss Lee Bullen blew his latest audition for landing the job on a permanent basis. Wednesday are 11 points adrift of the last play-off spot, occupied by Sheffield United.
Dutchman Loovens (above) said: “It is good that we have the chance straight away to try and bounce back with a good result and performance.
“This game is a must-win. We have to make sure we play better than we did against Brentford.
“Lee Bullen is our guy at the moment and we will do all we can do produce good performances in the coming games.”
Burton boss Nigel Clough hopes lightning will strike twice as they seek another away-day boost in their battle for Championship survival.
Clough acknowledges the Brewers need to be as successful in the January transfer window as they were 12 months ago after the end to a run of eight home defeats, a draw with Norwich, failed to prevent them dropping back into the relegation zone.
A third successive away victory today would help them to defy the odds, but the Burton boss knows bringing in players who can have a big impact will hold the key to hopes of beating the drop again this season.
“Woodrow, Christiansen, Kightly and Murphy made an immediate impact when they came in at this point last season, and hopefully we will be trying for something similar,” said Clough.
“Ideally, one of them will be a striker.”