CARLOS: EXPECT TO SEE THEREAL NANDO
CARLOS Carvalhal admits several of his Sheffield Wednesday players have failed to replicate last season’s promotion-challenging form, but claims that one of those, Fernando Forestieri, is about to explode into life.
The Owls were a swing of Mohamed Diame’s boot away from promotion to the Premier League in last year’s play-off final.
But, after being widely tipped at the start of the season, they have had a wildly inconsistent campaign this year.
Forestieri – unsettled after approaches from Newcastle United and Derby County during preseason – has struggled this year, but Portuguese coach Carvalhal believes the 26year-old forward is at last ready to scale the heights of last season.
“I think we have Fernando back again,” Carvalhal explained. “These last two weeks, but especially this week, he has been very, very strong, very powerful, with fantastic attitude and I am sure if he expresses – and he will express on Saturday – what he is doing these two weeks, we will be with a better Fernando again.
“I am very happy about that of course, because we are waiting for the best of Fernando. In reality he is back 100 per cent to the Fernando, the big days at Sheffield Wednesday.
“Even though the team is playing well we expect more from some players and Fernando is one of them. He is training very well and the real Fernando we know is back again.
“It’s not just Fernando who hasn’t performed at 100 per cent. There are players we expect more from, and they will do more. We know from last season they can do better.
“If we talk about Fernando, we must also talk about three or four players we expect more from. We are happy with the team, but the individual performances they can do better.”