'We need help' - why Sheffield Wednesday boss wants the EFL to intervene ahead of Portsmouth game
Sheffield Wedneday, like Pompey, have their injury problems ahead of Saturday’s Championship game at Hillsborough
Henrik Pedersen admitted Sheffield Wednesday are in constant contact with bosses at the English Football League (EFL) as they seek help amid a Hillsborough injury crisis.
The Owls boss said they knock on the governing body’s door ‘every day’ in the hope they will be given some leeway to bolster a squad that is currently reporting 11 players out.
At present, Wednesday are restricted to just two free loan signings this month as their search for new owners continue. The conditions are in place following their entering into administration earlier this season and a breach of payment obligations, which led to them being docked 18 points this season.
A staggering 32 points currently separates the bottom-placed Owls and 21st-placed Pompey ahead of Saturday’s Championship fixture in south Yorkshire.
The Blues have their own injury worries going into the game, with nine players expected to miss the trip to Hilsborough.
Reinforcements could be on the way for John Mousinho’s strugglers, though. The head coach said he hoped he’d be in a position to welcome some of the 3-6 new arrivals earmarked during the January transfer window for the game against the division’s lowest-ranked side.
Time will tell whether those ambitions become a reality. But as Mousinho waits eagerly to see what the Fratton Park outfit’s recruitment team comes up with in the coming days, Pedersen is waiting to hear whether his pleas to the EFL bear fruit.
Sheffield Wednesday injury problems mount up ahead of Pompey visit
Goalkeeper Pierce Charles and defender Dominic Iorfa are the latest players to join Wednesday’s injury list. The magnitude of the problem saw the Owls play a virtual youth team in their FA Cup defeat at the hands of Brenford at the weekend, with Svante Ingelsson their only player over the age of 23.
Loanee Harry Amass’ return to parent club Manchester United has done Wednesday no favours either.
Yet Pedersen remains hopeful there’ll be light at the end of the tunnel.
When asked about attempts to improve his lot, the Dane told The Star: ‘Yes, we try to knock every day. Of course, we put pressure for what we can.
‘We need help, and we try to do all that we can to get help as quick as possible. Right now it's two players, and this is what we are working from, so let's see.’
Pedersen made the decision to rest Barry Bannon, Jamal Lowe and Liam Palmer for Saturday’s Cup defeat at the hands of the Bees.
He said he took the decision as it’s not only results he needs to take care of, but also the players’ health.
He added: ‘It is for the results, but it is also for the health. When you have three or four senior players, then, of course, it's tough.
‘But again, we try to do the best we can with things we can control and with the environment we have. This is where we are using our energy.’
Pompey and Sheffield Wednesday form
Sheffield Wedenesday go into Saturday’s game without a win since their only victory of the season against Pompey at Fratton Park on September 20. Since then the Owls have drawn seven and lost 13 of their 20 games played.
The Blues - who were beaten 4-1 by Arsenal in the FA cup on Sunday - have suffered a further nine league losses since then. However, four wins and five draws from their nine other games played keeps them one place and one point above the relegation zone.
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