Pre-season preview - Sheffield Wednesday

Another preview from a Yorkshire team. This time it’s  Sheffield Wednesday’s Andy Parsons

1) How did you fare last season? Best moment, worst moment etc.
We were diabolical, pure and simple and it makes us realise how far we have actually slumped. Last 
season was low point after low point, although getting one over Danny Wilson, one of  the worse 
managers in Wednesday's history in the last minute was pretty funny!

 2) How do you think you'll do this season? Hopes, final position.
For the last five seasons I have been pretty optimistic but without question we will have a better 
season than last year. I think we will finish somewhere between 1st and 10th, closer to 10th than 
1st though! But with great supporters and hopes high, we can't be too overconfident as we were 
surprised last season.

 3) What's your squad like, new signings, etc?
I have no idea! We culled 13 players and brought in a brand new team. The most influencial player 
could be Chris Marsden, although Wednesdayites are expecting a good few goals from Steve
 MacLean and Lee Peacock. Guy Branston knows this league inside-out and David Lucas should be 
the best goalkeeper in the division.

 4) Which youngster will make the biggest impression in your team this season?
Chris Brunt came in last season from Boro and got a two-year deal straight away, but from what I 
have heard about Glenn Whelan, an Irish U-21 international signed from Manchester City, he could
be a vital member of the squad.

 5) What's your manager like and will he still be there at the end of the season?
Chris Turner promised fans that if Wednesday were not in the top three at Christmas, he would 
walk. I think fans last season were very unsure of him, but if we get off to a good start, he will 
become popular again. To answer the question of whether he will be here, I honestly don't know!

 6) Are you happy with your Chairman/Backroom staff?
Fans are split right down the middle on this one. Half of the supporters wanted Ken Bates in at one 
stage and mass protests were held against current chairman Dave Allen. But despite loaning the club 
money from his vast fortune, Allen has kept the club stable and he has to be praised for that. As for 
the backroom staff, Colin West was one of the worst ever players to pull on the blue and white, 
although he has done a good job as Turner's assistant.

 7) Which team do you want to beat the most and why?
Colchester, Blackpool and Torquay in the first three games, meaning we will have got off to a good 
start for once!

 8) Predict your champions and runner up, the 4 Play-Off teams and the 4 to go down.
Barnsley for champions
Play-offs will be Bristol City, Swindon, Hull and Tranmere
To go down Chesterfield, Brentford, Peterborough and Torquay
Watch out for Walsall and Doncaster, although Bradford and MK Wimbledon whatever they are 
called these days will struggle.

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