PASSION PLAY’S A BIG LIFT FOR WEDNESDAY
New Sheffield Wednesday boss Jos Luhukay enjoyed his first taste of English football after surviving a baptism of fire against Sheffield United last night.
Luhukay, who has only ever managed in Germany before, replaced Carlos Carvalhal as Owls boss last week.
His introduction to life in this country came in the shape of a Steel City derby at Bramall Lane in the Sky Bet Championship – the first man to ever begin his managerial reign with this match.
But he made a promising start as his side overcame the second-half dismissal of captain Glenn Loovens to hold on for a goalless draw.
Ex-Sunderland midfielder Ross Wallace could have seen red too, but Wednesday avoided going down to nine men
The Owls might even have won it late on as Blades keeper Simon Moore made a brilliant save to deny Adam Reach.
Dutchman Luhukay, who had no qualms with Loovens’ red card, said: “I enjoyed it, I am very happy to be here.
“The game was very hard for us, but I must give my team a compliment and I have respect for the fight they gave me for 90 minutes.
“The last 25 minutes was not so easy, but we did the defending as a team and we had two good chances. This draw we can live with, but we could have also won it.
“At the end, we had two good situations and the goalkeeper had fantastic reflexes.
“It was the first match for me and I am happy we can get a draw. It’s the first step.”
The stalemate denied the Blades a first derby double since 2005-06 as the hosts were unable to replicate their rousing performance in a 4-2 win at Hillsborough.
Clayton Donaldson came closest to scoring for the hosts, before Loovens took an early bath, as Joe Wildsmith superbly tipped over his header. Their tricky run, which has now seen them win one of their last 10 Championship games (against Sunderland!), continues.
Home boss Chris Wilder, his side up to sixth, enjoyed poking fun at Wednesday, who he felt raised their game.
“It shows how far we have come, to take four points from six from the other side of the city,” he said. “I thought we played OK-to-well, but that doesn’t win you games.
“A draw was a fair result and I congratulate the opposition because they ran around and competed. But that is a given for my side.
“I think Carlos (Carvalhal is now the Swansea manager) might be a little disappointed watching that because they are a good club with good players and we are a good club with good players, but we run around every game.
“If we win a few games we can go far. I don’t want to be on the beach in May.
“I want to be the ones that take second or gets in the play-offs. I don’t want to be finishing eighth or ninth.”