Holdsworth takes charge of COVID-hit Owls for FA Cup tie

Andy Holdsworth will be in charge of what looks sure to be a depleted Wednesday squad for tomorrow afternoon’s FA Cup third round tie at Exeter City.

Caretaker boss Neil Thompson and his assistants Lee Bullen and Steve Haslam will all be absent after being amongst a significant number of Wednesday staff to have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent days, so under-18s manager Holdsworth will be leading the side for the trip to the West Country, with Daral Pugh, Nicky Weaver and Tony Strudwick alongside him.

After the recent busy schedule, Wednesday may well have rested some regular first team players for the match against division two Exeter and now, although the club has not said who else has been affected by the outbreak, some players may also have been struck down by the illness and so be isolating.

Holdsworth, who joined the club in September 2018 as under-18s boss, says it will be a proud day for him personally but is concentrating purely on hopefully helping Wednesday to progress to the fourth round.

He said: “It all happened really quickly but that’s football and you have to be ready for anything to happen.

“Nothing really changes with how we want to play, the same mantra, same philosophy will apply.

“This really is a fantastic club and it’s an exciting opportunity. It has come in a manner that is not ideal but it will be a great experience for us that are involved.”

He added: “But the be-all-and-end-all is getting in the hat for the next round and for us to have a battle.

“You always should expect a tough game in the FA Cup when you’re away against a side below you in the pyramid. This game will be no different, it will be a battle but there is a good confidence here and that comes from winning games.”

Neil Thompson, who will watch the game from home while isolating, said at today’s ‘Zoom’ press conference: “The squad will be going down to Exeter on three coaches today. There will be lots of space. All the lads have been tested and they will be tested again this morning.”

He added: “The staff who are going down there have more than enough experience to lead the team. We have to try and keep our run going, keep a calm mind and be fully focused.