Danny Rohl has spoken of the occasion, the players and the fans as he prepares his Wednesday squad for Sunday’s Hillsborough derby clash with Sheff U.
The Owls boss will be hoping we can gain revenge after losing 1-0 in the away game back in November, and when asked about a message for the fans, he told Friday’s press conference: “We should make it a fantastic event. We should enjoy this game. One year ago it was not clear that we could have this match.
“We should be positive. We should celebrate every tackle, every ball-winning situation, every shot on target, every save and we should stick together even during tough periods in the game.
“We’ll have a minimum of 12 players on the pitch with our fans and with this attitude we should go and win the game.
“The atmosphere is our responsibility as well. It will be great before the match but then it’s up to us to keep this atmosphere.
“There is no question mark that our fans will give us wings and we will fly in this game.”
He added: “We have achieved our small goal of reaching 50 points. Maybe the pressure is more on them and they have to deliver but we are looking forward to being the nasty team and creating something.
“Then you never know, maybe it is not the last game against them this season.”
Regarding the match itself, the manager said: “It’s about analysing the opponent, preparing the trainings, writing the match plan and preparing all these things like we usually do.
“Then, on Sunday the emotion will come in the stadium and it lifts up but, for me, the focus on such a game is about three points.
“I know what it means for the people of Sheffield and for our massive fans but for me it’s important we have a clear mindset of what we have to do and this is the crucial thing.”
Summing up his squad, Rohl said: “We never give up is a big slogan for this group in so many games, this for me is outstanding. The team is still hungry and I have such a fantastic group of players around me.”
On the injury front, he said long-term casualty Akin Famewo continues to progress and played the first 45 minutes for the under-21s in a 3-1 defeat away to Birmingham today, while Anthony Musaba and Yan Valery edge closer to a return.