Gareth Ainsworth, the former Queens Park Rangers manager, knows who deserves credit for reviving Sheffield Wednesday’s Championship aspirations.
The Owls faced a potentially vital visit to fellow strugglers Blackburn Rovers on Sunday afternoon, knowing that a win at Ewood Park would lift them out of the relegation zone for the first time since August and push their hosts closer to the drop zone. Danny Rohl’s team got off to the best possible start with a magnificent strike from Josh Windass, but Rovers equalised within minutes thanks to in-demand top goalscorer Sammie Szmodics.
Marvin Johnson restored Wednesday’s lead just before the hour mark, before a comical own goal from hosts keeper Aynsley Pears ended Rovers’ hopes of a comeback, giving Wednesday momentum in their bid to stay in the second tier for more than one season. Speaking during Sky Sports’ live coverage of the game, former QPR manager Ainsworth cited the influence made by Owls manager Rohl as a significant reason why his side is currently in pole position to remain in the Championship this season.
He told Sky Sports: “I believe they were the aggressors in the second half, and they were unquestionably the better side moving forward. Blackburn lacked some cutting edge. When it comes down to the basic bones, they tested the goalie, although with a major blunder for one of their goals. Danny Rohl deserves credit for what he has accomplished. He’s certainly got the spirit flowing among those men. You could see them at the conclusion of the game, all together, and they’ve really made the relegation battle fascinating.”
Wednesday are back in action on Saturday, hosting play-off contenders West Bromwich Albion in their final home game of the season.
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