Wednesday fans make a difference insists Fox
DEFENDER Morgan Fox reckons the Hillsborough atmosphere could make all the difference in Sheffield Wednesday’s bid to beat Huddersfield in the play-offs.
The 23-year-old moved to the Owls in January from League One Charlton and hopes he can take another jump up the ladder by helping Wednesday reach the Premier League.
There are reasons to be optimistic ahead of the semifinal showdown as the Owls beat David Wagner’s side home and away in the regular season.
Hillsborough was rocking for the home fixture in January as Ross Wallace’s superb strike and a late goal from Fernando Forestieri helped them defeat the Terriers, who had Jack Payne sent off.
And they triumphed 1-0 at their Yorkshire rivals, courtesy of a Forestieri penalty, back in October.
In addition, Wednesday pipped Huddersfield to fourth place on goal difference, ensuring they will have the potentially-defining second leg at home on Wednesday night.
Wednesday won 15 league matches at home this season, as many as champions Newcastle, and Fox believes it could be their trump card.
“The atmosphere generated by the Hillsborough crowd is massive. They could make a huge difference in the playoffs,” he said.
“They have been behind us every single step of the way and I have felt like part of the club from the moment I played in front of the home crowd. It was a special moment to score my first goal for the club (in a 5-1 win against Norwich in March) at Hillsborough.” Fox also believes last season’s play-off campaign, albeit one that ended in disappointment with a 1-0 defeat by Hull in the final at Wembley, is a plus point. “There is a real determination among the lads to get ourselves promoted,” he said. “The group has experience at the stage of the season, which can work to our advantage.” Fox was speaking at a Kits for Kids event run by Wickes, official partner of the EFL. “Our team ethic is one of the main reasons for our success this season and it will play a massive part in the play-offs.”
Wednesday had tried to prise the defender away from The Valley in the summer but finally got their man for a reported £700,000 in January.
“It felt nice to be wanted by a club like Sheffield Wednesday. They are a huge team with lots of ambition,” said Fox.
“Wednesday were always my first choice, and hopefully I can help them make it to the Premier League.”
The Chelmsford-born leftback settled quickly into the Wednesday squad, playing nine times and scoring once before injury curtailed his bright start.
He returned to face play-off rivals Fulham in a 2-1 home defeat on the final day of the regular season last Sunday.
Now he is set to taste the unpredictability of the playoffs for the first time – and a potential Wembley date.
The former Wales Under21 defender said: “We must first focus on the task at hand, but it would be amazing to play at Wembley. It would be a dream come true.
“I have been to watch a few matches but not had the chance to play there.
“I am back to full fitness with the play-offs to come and happy to be back in the group.”