Lees Tom Cat Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 Sheffield Wednesday defender Tom Lees believes league form will count for little in Sunday’s Steel City derby. When Chris O’Grady netted the winner in 2012, few inside Hillsborough would have imagined it would be five long years before another all-Sheffield clash. That League One game on February 26, 2012 proved a key turning point for both clubs, the Owls overhauling United to clinch automatic promotion. History, of course, shows the Blades missed out in the play-offs to Huddersfield Town, and subsequently spent the next five years battling to reach the Championship. So when promotion was finally confirmed last season – under boyhood fan Chris Wilder – attention quickly turned to the return of the Sheffield derbies. Sunday sees United travel to Hillsborough for a lunchtime kick-off, with both sides of the city having enjoyed a good start to the campaign. Indeed, the sixth-placed Blades could have topped the Championship with victory over Norwich City last weekend, with the Owls three places – and two points – behind in ninth. But Lees, who will experience his first Steel City derby, having sampled many Yorkshire derbies at Wednesday and Leeds United, knows Sunday is a unique game. “I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “It is all people have been talking about ever since the end of last season. It is one of those games where the league table is forgotten about for 90 minutes. “I don’t think we can get caught up in it too much because we have the important end goal. “It will be an important three points for us to add to our total and what we want to achieve. “I know it will be a big game and it is win at all costs but we have to look at it as, hopefully, contributing to the bigger goal.” That ‘bigger goal’ is promotion this season, after twice coming up short in the play-offs. Both times the Owls have lost out to Yorkshire rivals – first to Hull City, then to Huddersfield Town in May – and have had to watch on as the victors enjoyed Premier League football. Sunday is the fourth game in a run of six games in 22 days, which Wednesday have targeted as a key set of fixtures. Only a stoppage-time equaliser at Cardiff City on Saturday prevented the Owls from collecting three successive wins, after beating Nottingham Forest and Brentford. Another seven points from the next three games – after the Blades, Wednesday have a trip to Birmingham City before hosting Leeds United – would put them in good health heading into October. “It’s an important period,” acknowledged Lees. “We have got some big games. We have some for local pride and games that haven’t been played in a long time. “It (Sunday) will be a big occasion. But, at the end of the day, those games are three points towards the total. “Teams are going to go through tough fixtures and blips. “Everyone will have their moment so it is about trying to remain consistent throughout.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
full fathom five Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 Professional approach from a top professional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOSTAGE IN PYONGYANG Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 True. Thank god we got Joost too. I really see him being a real class signing and a future legend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiJ Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 Have no problem with us trying to keep the lid on it. United will be wanting to have a war out there on Sunday. We've got to be a bit smarter and dare I say take the sting out of things a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lees Tom Cat Posted September 21, 2017 Author Share Posted September 21, 2017 Just now, HOSTAGE IN PYONGYANG said: True. Thank god we got Joost too. I really see him being a real class signing and a future legend. Best signing since Tom Lees. Showing all the signs of a top flight player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluestripe Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 Pleased to see a sensible perspective from Lees. Discounting those Owls who advise Carlos to “stick a rocket up em’ (groan...the whole club is patently bent on winning the derby) the grand plan is getting into PL and looking at what we’ve done during past 2 yrs that is the big picture Blade scrubbers have so little to look fwd to, so no surprise it’s their only focus. If they themselves think they are PL bound, well let’s see evidence they could mount a campaign. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamAP22D Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 If we match their desire to win, which i'm sure we will, then our quality will shine through. We'll be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Maxine Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 Good read that, I'm feeling confident for Sunday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamAP22D Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 2 minutes ago, Maxine said: Good read that, I'm feeling confident for Sunday. Me too! Maybe a tad over confident. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Maxine Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 Just now, LiamAP22D said: Me too! Maybe a tad over confident. I'm enjoying the ride, it's my first Derby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamAP22D Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 1 minute ago, Maxine said: I'm enjoying the ride, it's my first Derby. Really? Hope you have a good experience, where you sitting/standing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramone Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 2 minutes ago, LiamAP22D said: Really? Hope you have a good experience, where you sitting/standing? Got to love a bit of internet stalking... 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lees Tom Cat Posted September 21, 2017 Author Share Posted September 21, 2017 Added from star link.. http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-wednesday/steel-city-derby-sheffield-wednesday-have-their-eyes-on-the-prize-1-8763326 The 26-year-old is likely to line-up alongside Joost van Aken again at the heart of Wednesday’s defence this weekend. It is still early days with their partnership but the signs are that they can bring the best out of each other. Lees, who has made 138 starts and scored four goals since joining the Owls from Leeds United in July 2014, stated September would be a “big month” after a third successive slow start. Two victories and a creditable draw at high-flying Cardiff City later eased the pressure on boss Carlos Carvalhal and kick-started their season. Owner Dejphon Chansiri has invested heavily in strengthening the first-team squad and the Thai businessman expects Wednesday to be challenging for an automatic promotion spot after falling short in the play-offs in each of the last two campaigns. Lees said: “I think we have to get promoted this season, whichever way we do that. Ideally top two but if you said to me we could get promoted via the play-offs we would take it. We have seen in the last two years the play-offs is a bit of a lottery. “The team which we have got, the squad here, that is our only target. That’s what we will be judged on. “We are seen as a big name now, so everyone raises their game to come and play us.” If the Owls are to make it third time lucky, the team must shore things up at the back. Carvalhal’s men have recorded just one clean sheet so far this season. “We are winning points and that is the most important thing,” stressed Carvalhal, who was a defender in his playing days. We are playing a very good level of football. “We conceded from a throw in at Burton and a free kick at Cardiff. These are things that you can prepare for but sometimes are out of your control. “I prefer to play well and win but one day maybe we don’t play so well and will win in the last minute. “Hopefully that will happen.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Maxine Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 1 minute ago, LiamAP22D said: Really? Hope you have a good experience, where you sitting/standing? I have a season ticket on the kop. I've been going since 2012 my son asked me to take him and apart from the very odd game we havnt missed any since I was hooked straight away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluestripe Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 It’s all coming together nicely - and we’ve got other fantastic players still due to rejoin the squad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Maxine Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 2 minutes ago, ramone said: Got to love a bit of internet stalking... I thanked the wrong person then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamAP22D Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 2 minutes ago, Maxine said: I have a season ticket on the kop. I've been going since 2012 my son asked me to take him and apart from the very odd game we havnt missed any since I was hooked straight away. Ahh nice. Have a good one. I'll be watching from afar. Jealous I wont be there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamAP22D Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 8 minutes ago, ramone said: Got to love a bit of internet stalking... Sorry bro! Don't wana step on your toes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Maxine Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 Just now, LiamAP22D said: Ahh nice. Have a good one. I'll be watching from afar. Jealous I wont be there. Thank you I can't wait, pity you couldn't get but at least it's on TV. Enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markowski77 Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 The way CC, Lees & SWFC have conducted themselves before the game is absolutely fantastic, calm, composed with a clear message. They all seem very focussed They know how much it means to all of us, and are not been dragged into a war of words with the tin pot brigade at the other side of the city. We haven't look rattled at all, with the mind games & sideswipes from Wilder and the rest of their brigade. This is the reason I think we will win, our players have to much class, quality & experience, and know the end goal. Wilder IMO will be riling up there players all week, as a do or die sort of game, to the point were I think they will lose focus, discipline and overall the game as they won't be able to compete with quality. Lets not forget CC has managed in some big derbies before like Besitkas, Sporting. He is keeping his cool, unlike Wilder whose lack of experience in big sell out games is starting to get to him, to me he is like a rabbit in the headlights trying to please the fans at every twist and turn, but forgetting the real goal at the end of the day my god I hope we wipe the floor with them, just to shut the, up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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