Darren Moore was not getting carried away after this afternoon’s 5-0 drubbing of Cambridge United lifted us into second place in division one.
With the Owls now two points clear of Ipswich in third and four points behind leaders Plymouth, Moore said after a third win on the spin: “We finished 2022 strong. I said to the boys to start 2023 strong and they did that.
“I thought getting the early goal disrupted their plans. We then went 2-0 up and had a reminder just before the break when they hit the crossbar.
“2-0 is a dangerous scoreline but I thought we came out on the front foot second half. We added three more goals after the break so it’s been an emphatic and wonderful day for us. We just keep our focus and don’t look at league tables because they don’t serve us a purpose now.”
It also took our unbeaten league run to 13 games and he added: “We’re just really focused on what we are doing here, trying to be the best version of ourselves and keep going.
“To go up into the top two is psychologically nice and it’s a reward for the last few months but we can’t get complacent.”
He added: “Of course it’s nice to be in the top two, it’s where we want to be. Am I happy with that? Yes. Am I satisfied with that? No. Why? Because we can get better, we have to get better as the season goes on and the way to do that is hard work on the training ground and taking that work into games as we did today.
“Our attacking play was good and we showed that ruthless edge. But we were excellent all over the pitch. It’s our 14th clean sheet of the season and that’s the foundation for any team to succeed.
“We were tight at the back and ruthless up front so it’s a perfect day in that respect.”
Barry Bannan missed the game after limping off against Port Vale on Thursday with a possible recurrence of his recent hamstring injury and Moore said: “We have no news on him at the moment because of the time of year with the hospitals and private health care and stuff like that all being closed.
“So we have to wait for them to re-open before he gets a scan on his injury. I’d imagine when things open up this week we’ll get him looked at.”
Lee Gregory also missed out today after suffering back spasm at Fleetwood on Boxing Day and Moore said there is a possibility he could be ready to be considered for the squad to face Newcastle in next Saturday’s FA Cup tie.
Reflecting on the performance of hat-trick man Josh Windass, Moore said: “His finishes were clean and decisive and he’ll probably feel he should have got a fourth. The hat-trick will give him loads of confidence and he’s shown the class talent that he is.
“He’s been out of the side but he’s taken his chance today. I’m really pleased for him because he’s been a huge part of our win.
“I didn’t feel the previous two games were the right game for him. But today I thought it was and It proved to be an excellent day for him.”
There were also questions from some fans about why Windass didn’t celebrate his goals or respond to the applause of the fans when he was subbed towards the end of the game. The manager said: “He celebrates in his own way. And he’s come out today and scored three so I’m delighted.”