Match Preview: Hull City Vs Wednesday
By Nicholas Rigg
December 9 2005
Next up for the Owl's look to bounce back from their derby day defeat away at Hull City. Both teams are finding it tough at the opposite end of the table to what they were used to last season and are desperate for a win ahead of the christmas period.
Hull City Vs Wednesday
Date: Saturday 10th December
Venue: The KC Stadium, Hull
A traditional relegation six pointer is on the cards next for Wednesday as Paul Sturrock takes his Owls team to the KC Stadium.
Peter Taylor's Hull side have struggled since their promotion with Wednesday in May. They ended a six match run without a win last weekend by beating high-flying Cardiff City 2-0 at home. Hull fans will be wanting revenge after Wednesday spoiled their promotion party at the end of last season thanks to a late goal from James Quinn which secured the Owls a place in the play-offs.
Peter Taylor welcomes the return of goalkeeper Boaz Myhill after the highly-rated stopped got sent off away at QPR two weeks ago. Former Owls target Billy Paynter is set to start for the tigers and will hope to get one over on the Owls. Taylor has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the game.
Owls boss Sturrock also has no fresh injuries ahead of the game, although he may ring the changes after no win in five games. Sturrock has said that he wants to stick with the same back four that faced Sheffield United at the weekend and wants to keep them together for the next six games to get some consistency at the back. Chris Eagles, Gaby Agbonlahor, and Burton O'Brien will all hope for an inclusion after impressive substitute appearances in the last few games. Jon-Paul McGovern, Steve Maclean, John Hills, Drissa Diallo, Drew Talbot, and David Lucas are still all out with injuries.
Goalkeeper Nicky Weaver could be making his final appearance for the Owls as his loan deal is set to expire before next weekend. The deal could be extended should David Lucas not be ready to return to first team action. Lee Peacock, Steve Adams and Paul Heckingbottom may also feature after coming through a reserve match in midweek.
The last time Wednesday travelled to the KC Stadium was for one of the biggest games in the clubs recent history. James Quinn's last minute winner for the Owls booked their place in the play-offs and ruined Hulls promotion party at the same time. Wednesday have not lost away to Hull in their last five visits. Three wins and two draws came from that run.
This time around both teams lie at a different end of the table and are fighting for different reasons - to stay in the Championship. Both sides have shown they have what it takes to survive but haven't been helped by injuries to key players.
Previous Line-Ups:
Hull City: Duke, Lynch, Cort, Collins, Delaney, Dawson, France, Welsh, Barmby (Elliott 66), Fagan, Paynter (Andrews 90).
Subs Not Used: Leite, Green, Price.
Wednesday: Weaver, Coughlan, Wood, Simek, Gilbert, Whelan, Brunt, Partridge (Eagles 59), Rocastle (O'Brien 65), Murphy, Graham.
Subs Not Used: Lee, Adamson, Agbonlahor.
Last Time Out:
9th August 2005
Wednesday 1-1 Hull City
Wednesday: Lucas, Lee, Hills, Simek, Wood, Whelen, Brunt, Rocastle, Eagles, Best, Peacock. Subs: Partridge, Proudlock, Adams, Coughlan O'Brien.
Goals: Best 8'
Hull City: Myhill, Cort, Andrews, Price, Coles, Ashbee, Elliott, Edge, Delaney, Barmby, Fagan. Subs: Leite, Wiseman, Green, McPhee, Burgess.
Goals: Barmby 23'
Head-To-Head:
Hull City Wins: 6
Draws: 16
Wednesday Wins: 18
Current Form (last 5):
Lost (Watford H 1-2), Lost (Reading A 1-3), Drew (Southampton H 1-1), Drew (QPR A 2-2), Won (Cardiff City H 2-0)
Lost (Cardiff City H 1-3), Lost (Watford A 1-2) Draw (Plymouth H 0-0) Lost (Stoke City H 0-2) Lost (Sheffield United A 0-1)
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