Holdsworth steps in for Owls’ Thompson
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY will have their fourth manager of the season in the dugout for tomorrow’s FA Cup tie at Exeter City after more positive Covid- 19 tests at the Championship club.
Caretaker Neil Thompson and his temporary assistants Lee Bullen and Steven Haslam are amongst “a significant number of club personnel” found to have the virus in the latest round of testing.
With pressure on clubs to fulfil their FA Cup fixtures, the Owls were quick to say tomorrow’s game at St James Park will go ahead. Academy coach Andy Holdsworth will take charge, assisted by Daral Pugh, Nicky Weaver and Tony Strudwick.
Wednesday’s Championship rivals Derby County have already said their first- team players, including caretaker manager Wayne Rooney, will miss their tie against Conference North Chorley, but youth- teamers will fulfil the fixture amid threats of clubs being thrown out of the competition if they cannot play before the fourth round.
Going out of the FA Cup would give the Owls and Derby more preparation time for vital Championship matches as they look to avoid relegation but deny them the chance of prize money not to be sniffed at in hard times.
Such has been Wednesday’s cashflow issues they were unable to pay their players on time and in full in November, although the wages have since been settled. Wednesday and Derby are level on points after the South Yorkshire side won their New Year’s Day game, with the Rams in the relegation zone on goal difference having played a game less than the Owls, one place above it.
Thompson was already the third man to take charge of the team this season, following the sackings of Garry Monk and his successor Tony Pulis. He has so far won both his matches.