Why it’s an exciting time to be an Owl

It’s a fantastic time to be a Sheffield Wednesday fan. We’ve finally got rid of the old regime at the top, we’re sat solidly in the top half of the Championship, and

we just did the double over the Blades for the first time in 95 years.

So let’s take a look at the multitude of reasons just why it’s an exciting time to be an Owl…

Lee Strafford

The appointment of a new Chairman for most clubs is almost as exciting as discovering the old tea lady has finally retired, but Lee Strafford’s appointment to the role is potentially fantastic news.

So far he’s said the right things, he’s promised the changes that we’ve all been clamouring for over the last decade, and he seems eager to take the club forward in a positive light. And after Dave Allen, what else could we desire?

Brian Laws

It’s amazing to thing that message boards were starting to rumble with predictions of Laws losing his job just a few short months ago. After a series of managers that have either been incapable, tactically naïve, or just plain terrible, Laws proves what a solid manager can do with even our forever ailing club.

He’s not spent major amounts of cash, but still managed to improve a side considerably in all the major areas with the singings of Lee Grant, Steve Watson, and Michael Gray. And he’s taken a side that some tipped for relegation this season to a comfortable spot in mid-table with practically no cash.

Leon Clarke

Widely ridiculed by all and sundry after a series of poor performances and a bit of a wobbly gut, Leon Clarke seems to have turned the corner. Smashing a beautiful volley agains

t the post in the derby was the latest in a lengthening line of times that Clarke has managed to get in that perfect spot that all scoring strikers need to regularly occupy.

A return of 5 goals in 13 starts and 7 substitute appearances might not seem like the record of a man that can lead a forward line, but his new sheer strength combined with a new found willingness to put in the effort for the team means that Leon could still prove a bargain buy.

Marcus Tudgay

By far the best striker currently on the books, Tudgay’s return of 10 goals so far this season has been a major plus for the Owls. And when you take into consideration the number of games he’s been stuck out on the right wing, that figure seems all the more impressive.

But it’s not just scoring that Tudgay does well. His sheer presence seems to unnerve defenders, and his consistently high work rate smacks of a player determined to reach the top.

Lee Grant

After Kevin Pressman finally left Hillsborough, there was a giant hole left in the Owls backline. No, not because of Pressman’s ample girth, but due to a shocking number of goalkeepers that proved completely inadequate.

After David Lucas left for pastures new due to injury worries, the free transfer signing of Lee Grant has proved a real coup. Not only did he win last seasons Players’ Player of the Year award, but he’s just been awarded the PFA Fans’ Championship Player of the Month award for January. Proof you don’t need to spend big to bag a top class ‘keeper.

We just did the double over United

It might be the first double for 95 years, but that doesn’t stop it feeling so so sweet. After a number of United players and managerial staff ridiculed the Owls, proclaiming us to be struggling against relegation, it was the manner in which we won that proved the real talking point.

For once, it was United chasing the game and lumping the ball up to a pair of shorter strikers. We harried, pressed, stopped them playing, and created some fantastic opportunities all by ourselves. And Tudgay’s goal was good enough to grace any derby the world over.

Any more plus points for Owls fans? Comment away.