AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth will be hoping to get their promotion push back on track when they host Championship rivals Sheffield Wednesday at Vitality Stadium on Tuesday (7pm kick-off).
The Owls were the first team to beat the Cherries in the league this season, Barry Bannan’s second-half penalty earning them a 1-0 win at Hillsborough in early November.
Manager Garry Monk parted company with the club just six days after presiding over the victory against the Cherries having been in charge for 14 months.
Wednesday, who started the season with a 12-point penalty which was later halved to six, appointed former AFC Bournemouth boss Tony Pulis as his replacement.
However, his tenure lasted just ten matches and Owls first-team coach Neil Thompson has since held the reins on a caretaker basis.
Under Thompson, Wednesday have beaten Middlesbrough (2-1), Derby County (1-0) and Preston North End (1-0) in the Championship.
They also triumphed over Exeter City in the third round of the FA Cup before going down 3-0 at Everton in the fourth round. Their only league defeat came at Coventry (2-0) last Wednesday.
Ahead of the clash, afcb.co.uk caught up with Nancy Frostick who covers the fortunes of the Owls for The Athletic.
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY IN PROFILE
Manager: Neil Thompson (caretaker, pictured above)
Club captain: Barry Bannan
Last game: Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 Preston North End (Championship)
Leading league goalscorer 2020/21: Callum Paterson (five in all competitions)
League position: 23rd
Past six league results: WDWWLW
afcb.co.uk: Despite their lowly league position, Wednesday seem to be in good form – what do you put this down to?
NF: Wednesday have enjoyed something of a new manager bounce under Neil Thompson, even though he’s only caretaker manager for the time being.
When they faced Bournemouth at Hillsborough earlier this season, Wednesday secured a win that looked like it would keep Garry Monk in his job but it’s well known what has happened since then.
Since Tony Pulis was sacked at the end of January, Thompson has given the team freedom to be creative and play on the front foot so they’re certainly making the most of that.
afcb.co.uk: What’s the latest on the managerial situation?
NF: It’s still up in the air.
It has been over a month now with Neil Thompson in charge and if results continue to be favourable then it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him stay in charge in that capacity until the end of the campaign.
It’s looking increasingly likely that Wednesday will turn to a manager from overseas although that comes with the problem of 14 days quarantine before they can even get to work.
afcb.co.uk: As Tony Pulis (pictured above) has local links, what was the story with his brief tenure?
NF: With hindsight, Pulis and Wednesday were never a good fit.
December wasn’t a month where there was much time for Pulis to get on the training ground and work on his ideas between a lot of frantic matches plus his relationship with the chairman broke down fairly quickly.
Results weren’t good enough – it was only in his ninth match in charge that Wednesday got their first win under his leadership.
The football itself wasn’t impressing fans or the owner so that played a part too.
afcb.co.uk: Osaze Urhoghide (pictured above, right) earned some rave reviews for his display against Preston – tell us a little about him?
NF: He hit the headlines last year after his debut in the FA Cup against Brighton and enjoyed an impressive stint in the first team before being sidelined with injury.
He’s only just back after nearly a year out but still looks an exciting prospect.
Wednesday picked him up after he was released from AFC Wimbledon’s academy and he’s a real diamond in the rough.
He’s strong, quick and has a good reading of the game, which has allowed him to play as both a right-back and a centre-back.
afcb.co.uk: Who makes Wednesday tick?
NF: Barry Bannan (pictured above).
That won’t come as a surprise to anyone who has been watching the Championship for the past six or seven years – he’s the heartbeat of this Wednesday team.
He’s tenacious when winning the ball back and nearly every move will go through him.
He’s got a fantastic eye for a pass and is the designated set-piece taker – he’s also Wednesday’s captain this season so you’ll probably hear him as much as you’ll see him on the ball!
afcb.co.uk: Are any players either injured or suspended against the Cherries?
NF: A few players are looking doubtful because of injury – Chey Dunkley, Liam Shaw (pictured above) and Joost van Aken the main names.
All three of them are defenders, although Shaw can play in midfield.
Wednesday have been a little bit light at centre-back lately so you might see a bit of an unexpected back line.
afcb.co.uk: What’s your score prediction?
NF: I was pleasantly surprised by Wednesday’s performance against Bournemouth earlier this season but with the amount of games they have this month because of some rearranged fixtures, I just think the Cherries might be too strong. I’ll plump for a 1-0 win for Bournemouth.
You can follow Nancy on Twitter – @nancyfrostick
Officials: Andy Woolmer (referee), Mark Russell (assistant), Robert Hyde (assistant), Dean Whitestone (fourth official).
