Cherries have options but are the Owls clawless up front?

You need goals to succeed in the Championship and that is something that Sheffield Wednesday are finding hard to do at home. At Hillsborough they have only scored three goals in seven games this season. It is not a recipe for great success, but the Owls have managed to amass enough points to sit 13th in the league and a win against Bournemouth would see them knocking on the door of the top 10 places.

Stuart Gray has been praising Royston Drenthe for his unplayable skills during the Charlton match on Saturday when he ran the show in the first half and AFCB will have to be careful of him. But that was his first goal of the season. Atdhe Nuhui is the top scorer on five in league and cup, while Chris Maguire is also a player that could get a goal or two for the home side. Steve May and Gary Taylor-Fletcher were also on the bench against Charlton but could be used to greater extent for the Cherries visit. Steve May was said to have a virus so did not get any minutes on Saturday, but he is their second highest scorer on three. Stuart Gray also said that the team only has four fit defenders at the moment!

Bournemouth have suddenly seen their clean sheets shattered by shipping two goals against Brighton and there will need to be some repair work in that respect. AFCB's away record is strong and yet Tuesday night's game will be no easy task for the Cherries. How will AFCB set up? Callum Wilson may well have to play up front on his own, but playing two strikers has proved successful of late. If Yann and Brett are both left on the bench it will give Eddie plenty of room for manoeuvre during the second half, and with Pugh and Ritchie starting to get some goals he may feel that there is enough fire power in the team to play with just the single striker.

With another tough away game against Middlesbrough to come, there will be some need not to burn out Callum Wilson. Rantie and Kermorgant are probably the freshest strikers at the moment, but when Eddie plays them is going to be down to his gut feeling of the time being right. Finally, I read that Tommy Elphick sustained an injury against Brighton and so could be a doubt for the Cherries. That means Baily Cargill could get his first Championship start for AFCB. 

I've just had one supporter say he would expect Adam Smith to come in for Elphick. Who would you put at centre back if Tommy can't play? Joe Partington may not be far off a game now either, although this one is too early for him.

Sheffield Wednesday Home Form:
LWDLD

AFCB Away Form:
DDLWW

All Departments podcast is out - Double Albion. Listen back to reviews of the WBA and Brighton match with Michael Dunne. You can listen by going to the All Department's website or by scrolling down Cherry Chimes' panel on the right until you see All Department's soundbar. It's a bumper 1hr 23 min podcast!! Mike Botto is on there as well!!

Can Cherries keep play-off hopes alive against Wednesday?

Sheffield Wednesday are one of those teams that don't have a lot to play for. Whether that means they come to Dean Court feeling that they should have done better and have something to prove or are counting the minutes until the sun beds come out is very difficult to tell. Looking at their last game though when they could have packed up at 1-3 down against Blackburn they dug in and came back to get a draw. That doesn't sound like a team to me that is ready for the summer holidays.

Atdhe Nuhui has certainly got the attention of pundits who are always looking out for goal scorers. A brace last time out means that he is one to watch out for. There top scorer though is Chris Maguire who is on 8 for the season. Leon Best is also on their books but did not play in their last match. Jeremy Helan was a player that impressed me early season for Wednesday. One player who will be in Bournemouth's sights in Kirkland in goal. It is strange to see so many England keepers in the Championship, but it is hard even for Joe Harte to keep his place at Man City this season.

Stuart Gray has probably achieved all he has had to this season considering that Wednesday were really struggling when he took over the managers post. On 21 October, Wednesday were bottom of the league so the recovery has been very good, although they have never been higher than 14th this season.

Sheffield Away form
LLLLD

AFCB Home form
WDWWW

I have had to sadly do a rain check on this match but I will be there in spirit and praying that the Cherries continue there run with a win and I'll be at all the remaining fixtures play-offs or not. UTCIAD! So no match report but I'll still give you my thoughts come Saturday morning.

Please check out Rival Lines with Owls Alive blogger Steve Beastie for more views on Sheffield Wednesday's team. You can also upset the bookies this bumper football Easter weekend with getting you free bet from Free Bet Negotiator.

Cherry Chimes has a long conversation with Owls Alive!

Match Preview

AFCB v Sheffield Wednesday

Blogger Interview - Owls Alive!

Cherry Chimes tries to find out what Steve Beastie one of the writers on Owls Alive thinks about his team's performance this season and what needs to change to make Wednesday turn from something 'flakey' to a leading force in the Championship. I was worried that he may say they needed Eddie Howe, but even Steve believes Eddie's spiritual home is at Dean Court and that he has already done a magnificent job for our club.

CC: Is mid-table satisfactory for Wednesday this season or was it a poor season?

OA: It really feels like a poor season...I know that sounds poor when we've struggled for so long and quite a while now we've all said, 'we'd take mid-table obscurity in the Championship any year' but when it arrives it ain't all it's cracked up to be and it feels like a very dull season. Someone once said, I think was the sage David Pleat, football is only exciting when you're playing for something, either at the top OR bottom of the table and far be it for me to agree with Pleatipus, he was right.

One thing is for sure...I'm don't think I can take another dull season like this so I, and other Wednesday fans, are expecting more next season.

CC: You beat team like Leeds, QPR and Wigan this season so do you see plenty of potential in the team?

OA: We didn't beat Wigan...in fact we're one of the few teams that CAN'T beat Wigan...it's annoying watching everyone else beat them and seeing us play well but not come away with points against them.

CC: Right researcher - you're sacked! Or was Wigan put in deliberately to try and catch Steve out? 

OA: I think you may have meant Reading...who used to be a bogey team for us...not anymore :-) We've deserved those wins too....despite what Joey Barton said on Twitter and what's more we deserved to beat them at their on the opening day but couldn't do it and Barton not being given the red card for as clear a penalty as you'll see didn't help.

The win against Leeds was special...their worst defeat since the pharaoh was a lad by all accounts and again, we were good value for that victory and that margin. We were incredible that day and made them look what their fans don't see....a very, very average side at best.

We DO have potential but we've been way too flakey all season. We have a first 11 capable of competing at the top of this division...unfortunately we have no strength in depth so when they're inured, as they have been for large parts of the season, we look as average as everyone else

CC: What have you made of Stuart Gray since taking the helm?

OA: I like him...I think every Wednesday fan likes him. He's one of footys nice blokes and when he speaks, despite being a little on the dull side, talks a lot of sense but he's not making any great strides from when Dave Jones was in charge to be honest.

We play the same way with virtually the same players and even the tactics, subs and timing of subs is the same as Dave Jones used but the vibe about the club is better since he took over and I speak as a fan of Jones in saying that.

Gray's big test is the summer...let's see who he can bring to the club because he will have no excuse next season.

He needs to bring in quality and get them kicking on, certainly into the top 10 and probably top 8 with at least an outside chance of play-offs otherwise he won't see another season with us.

CC: Who would you say has been Wednesday's best player this season?

OA: My idea of players varies greatly from the consensus usually but we all miss Connor Wickham and would love him back next year but that's a pipe dream really....young Liam Palmer, a Wednesday product and 'local' lad has done well and impressed. He's been asked to play at right back when his skills are those of a midfielder...he has played on the wing and centre midfield too but he really got stuck into that right back position and from looking clumsy and out of his depth he has really come on in leaps and bounds and impressed no end. There's no one crosses a ball better than him and I'd put him as one of the best in the division for that.

I think my overall favourite has been Atdhe Nuhiu up front....Me and the Young Un and a few mates have loved the fella from the start. His eagerness, work rate and skill with the ball at his feet is breathtaking at times but it's taken a while for others to warm to him, in fact I've never seen a Wednesday player abused as much as him by his own fans in such a long time...probably ever.

His problem is for all his good qualities he IS a striker and he hasn't been scoring and he's missed some sitters, but he is more than that in my opinion and what he brings to the game others aren't capable of. The Wednesday fans are slowly coming round to him but it's a slow process.

Having said all of that about those two...our player of the season will once again be Chris Kirkland, I'm sure of it...he would be mine anyway. He's the best keeper we've had in decades and his contract is up at the end of this season I believe so we need to make sure he is top of the list of 'must dos'. I dread to think where we would have been without him...an incredible player, a good ambassador and someone who has really enjoyed his time at this club.

CC: Would you say the Owls are about the most inconsistent team in the Championship and can you see reasons for the up and down performances?

OA: As I said earlier, we are definitely flakey, but we are a match for anyone on our day and more than most if we could get our best 11 fit. Some of those injuries, like every other club I suppose, are key to our tickover and they've been at crucial moments in the season.

CC: What did you think about your last match against Nottingham Forest - I thought you were going to do us an even bigger favour?

OA: Yeah so did most Wednesday fans. We haven't won there for absolutely ages and this was our chance but in both games this season they've stolen points from us...at ours they took all three and were never in the game...one chance one goal BANG! Off they go down the M1 with the points tucked up.

They have been punching above their weight for a while now and are one of the worst teams in the division. If they make the play-offs let alone go up, it will be a travesty.

CC: If Stuart Gray has money to spend next summer who would you like to see come into the club?

OA: A big part of our flakeyness has been injuries to our defence and we've had to chop and change it a lot...our second and third string aren't up this level and it shows...we MUST make sure we have a good central paring.

I would make Kirkland top of any list for signings but if you mean who to bring in...it has to be a striker. Another area we've struggled in at times and only really flourished when Matty Fryatt and Connor Wickham were on loan. Our chairman has already said he is going out to get Matty Fryatt at the end of the season. I'm not really sure why you'd make that public so early but it's out there now and I'd love him at our place. Wickham is way out of our budget but maybe Fryatt is around the right price....I'd be all over either of them.

CC: It looked all set up for an FA Cup derby this year but it did not happen so do you miss that fixture or is it just great to be a league above them?

OA: Who would miss 2 weeks of sleepless nights, butterflies and nausea in the run up to the game only for everyone to say they'd take a draw twenty minutes into the game?

I LOVE being a division higher and I would take that for eternity over playing them every season...I am definitely not one who misses them....though I have to say there is absolutely nothing like a derby match victory.

CC: Have you been surprised by Bournemouth's results this season and are there any of our players that you are looking forward to see play?

OA: Not really. As I mentioned last time we spoke, I have a soft spot for Bournemouth and my daughter has one for Eddie Howe.

I love the connection the club has and HAS had with the Cherries fans over the years and the turmoil you've all been through to get here is fantastic.

Eddie Howe is at his spiritual home now and he will always do better here than anywhere else...other managers have done similar haven't they? Graham Taylor at Watford springs to mind...they can go to other places but the connection to their club is so great that they feel more comfortable back there and it brings good things.

Me and the Young Un have been watching with interest in the hope that you get into the play-offs just so Eddie can stick two fingers up at Burnley and the way he was treated there and just to show that he CAN do it and he IS a good manager.

CC: What is your score prediction for the match?

OA: Blimey it could be anything at all knowing us...6-0 to us...6-0 to you...or a 3-3 draw...I'd be surprised if it was dull but go on then, I'll stick my very ample neck out...2-3

Just know this...you will have a little part of the Wednesday fanbase cheering you into the play-offs no matter what happens and to every single Bournemouth fan that has been on this incredible ride, YOU DESERVE THIS!

More than anyone in any division in this country, you have been through the mill and to the depths of despair with your club through no fault of the fans...if you get there it is your reward, no matter what the results, enjoy the moment!

CC: What a pleasure it is always to have Steve Beastie on Cherry Chimes - I don't think he'll ever convert to being a full Cherry fan but he certainly has a soft spot for Eddie's Barmy Army and it is good to know that Eddie Howe's impact is been felt as far up the motorway as Sheffield! I reckon Wednesday fans get a real treat every week when Steve sits down to write some lines on Owls Alive and I have always found Wednesday fans deeply in love with their football, so it is good to know Steve's passion is never wasted. As for this season it may be one for Wednesday fans not to reflect upon for too long while Bournemouth fans are already joyous no matter what the results of the remaining fixtures. Winning sometimes isn't everything and just to have a club to love is something that AFCB fans hold onto very preciously. It is a huge match on Good Friday and the rewards for AFC Bournemouth are enormous, but we know that Wednesday have some great players and Steve's score prediction says it all really, but I will say it is bound to be another cracking Championship match. Thanks again Steve - catch up on his writings and fellow Wednesday supporters on Owls Alive.

What's going on at managerless Wednesday?

Managerial mayhem has already made its mark in the Championship with six bosses already losing their jobs or resigning from their post. Sheffield Wednesday is one of those clubs where there has been a change but no one has yet filled the vacant spot on a permanent basis. Dave Jones did a good job in getting Wednesday promoted from League One, but he found it hard to establish the Owls as a real contender in the Championship. That is a challenge that our own club faces and you need some luck on such a journey.

Dave Jones got the Owls up to 18th place last season in the Championship, but struggled to improve on this until his time ran out at the start of December. But Sheffield Wednesday are a big enough club to still make a good fist of this season having already beaten Leicester and Reading.

As well as Dave Jones, many others have fallen by the wayside at Forest, Middlesbrough, Wigan, Barnsley and most recently at Watford, and I expect there will be more manager who will also be walking the plank. Chairmen are already getting nervous as the half way point approaches and there is the chance of the January transfer window to salvage the season.

But who does a team like Sheffield Wednesday get in to revive their season? It is a big club with huge fan support but I imagine the funds for big players is simply not there because the club has been in League One in recent seasons and has not enjoyed much success. They could do with a manager like Ian Holloway or Cardiff's Malky Mackay who knows the division well and has had success in recent years, but getting hold of the right man is not so easy. That is probably why the Owls have been slow to appoint anyone on a permanent basis yet.

There was talk of them making an approach for Roy Keane who is working for as assistant manager for the Republic of Ireland, but that would seem like jumping into the frying pan to me. A much better bet would be the moderate, but tactical thinking Steve Clarke who was unfortunate to lose his position at West Brom. Sometimes though I don't think chairmen really know who would be best to bring to their club and so we have poor appointments and the managerial merry go round continues.

When AFCB line up to face Sheffield Wednesday it looks like Stuart Gray will be in charge of the Owls and could probably do a good job medium term but everyone wants a big name to head up their club. Milan Mandaric was after Neil Warnock much to the disgust of Owls fans and now Mandaric is probably in a difficult position to bring the right person in for the job having lost out on one man.

Does this mean it is a good time to play Sheffield Wednesday at home? Well it could certainly be that way if the Cherries can get that early goal and get the home crowd upset. It is surprising the things that go on behind the closed doors at club that have an effect on how the players perform and if Sheffield do not yet have a new manager I would rather play them now than in a few weeks time.

Meanwhile, last night's FA Cup win for Burton Albion means that AFCB will face them at home on Saturday 4 January.