View From T'Other Side

Last updated : 18 October 2006 By Rob Miles (barnsley Boy)

Its not been the best of starts for The Owls this season. Has there been one problem or a combination?

To be honest we have played some pretty decent stuff this season, especially in the first few games. We haven't been beaten by a more than one goal I think so our defence is looking good, it is just a shame that we can't score at all. Scoring has been a problem for us now for a few years and apart from Steve MacLean, we don't have anyone regular to put the ball in the net - and he is just coming back from injury so hopefully we can start scoring soon!

Paul Sturrock has just signed a new contract at the club. Do you feel he's still the right man for the job?

I think so. He is very popular at Hillsborough and rightly so. He got us promoted a season early in my opinion and staying up last year was a great achievement. Dave Allen bowed to public pressure to give him a new contract when talks should have opened up Christmas time - and looking back at results you would have said Allen was probably in the right to want to wait! But things will go right for him, he is the best thing to happen to this club since Big Ron and long may he stay here.

1983! The last time Barnsley came away from Hillsborough with 3 points! Can you see that changing this weekend or are you confident Wednesday have enough in the locker to claim their first away win of the season?

Wednesday always beat Barnsley at home and get beaten at Oakwell! I am usually confident going into games against The Tykes at Hillsborough but quite nervous this time because it's a big game for us - we need a win and I don't care who it comes against. We are notoriously slow starters and it seems to happen every season! We can defend well but can't score while Barnsley don't have a problem putting the ball in the back of the net. But we were struggling a few years ago and needed a win when you came to town and got it (1-0 Proudlock goal) so hopefully the same can happen this time out.

Who do you see as Barnsley's dangermen?

I like Richards, he looks a decent player. I rated Hayes at Scunthorpe and he is coming good now. But Paul Heckingbottom may not be the first danger man to think of but he is a former Owl, and they always do the business against us. Paul was a great player for Wednesday and I don't think we should have let him go. I chatted to him a few times and he is a really nice bloke, hope he has a stinker though on Saturday!

And who should we be wary of in the Wednesday ranks?

Chris Brunt on his day is an excellent player if he is on form, a great left foot and good at set-pieces. Steve MacLean will get a break infront of goal soon and he can be lethal. Madjid Bougherra is a quality defender and has been a decent signing so far. If Yoann Folly plays, you will see one of the most promising players in the division, he is a different class.

Where do you see both Barnsley and Wednesday ending up come May? Relegation or safety?

I thought Barnsley would have gone straight back down but seeing some of their performances, they know how to score so that will keep you up no doubt. Despite a slow start we will get better and I have every confidence finishing higher than last season.

And finally, We are famous this season for scoring and conceding by the bucket load whereas Wednesday are not seeing the net bulge much at either end, so whats your prediction for the match?

A Wednesday win, with the winning goal going in off someone's backside. Just the luck we need at the moment to get us going. But it will be a tough test.

For my answers to Andy's questions
click here

To see more on how The Owls are performing vist Owls-Mad

COME ON YOU REDS!!!