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City can disrupt Owls' run - Johnson

Friday, November 17th 2017

City head coach Lee Johnson says his side are more than capable of ending Sheffield Wednesday's unbeaten run.

Unbeaten in their last three outings, the Owls host Johnson's side on Saturday (3pm kick-off) as the Sky Bet Championship returns following November's international fixtures.

Speaking to BCTV, Johnson discussed the strength in depth of both teams, the Hillsborough atmosphere and the chance to add more points to the Robins' league tally.

He said: "I think it [the international break] treated us all well. It has been a tough period - mentally and physically - for everybody, so to get three or four days away from being in each other's pockets was good.

"The first day of training on Monday I thought we looked a bit sloppy and we had to liven the players up a bit on Tuesday and Wednesday and those sessions have been good.

"They [Sheffield Wednesday] are a good side. They have a big resource for the division, they've got players who are very experienced and have quality all over the pitch.

"You look at the likes of [Jordan] Rhodes, [Barry] Bannon and they've spent a lot of money. They have [Gary] Hooper up front and they have a lot of options with [Ross] Wallace wide and midfielders in abundance.

"They are a good side and we know we will have to be at our best but we are in a good place.

"We're a little under the weather as far as a full-strength squad is concerned but we feel the younger players are getting better all of the time. Our bench is now very youthful. Before it was experience and now it's youthful but that's fine.

"Our first 18 are still strong and if we go there and give it our best then it gives us every chance of getting a result."

WHAT HE SAID

"I believe we have a side that can disrupt a good Sheffield Wednesday team"

Head coach Lee Johnson

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Video: Lee Johnson Pre-Sheffield Wednesday away thumbnail

HISTORIC HILLSBOROUGH

Johnson added: "I think the players have to prepare for the environment. 

"Hillsborough is a great ground to play - a big, old fashioned stadium. It's a good place to play and it can make you feel like you are more under the cosh than you actually are.

"I played there a couple of times myself and thought 'we are under pressure here' but when you watch the video back you think 'actually it wasn't as much pressure as you perceived at the time', so we have to make sure that we understand that.

"They've lost only once this year (at home) in the derby against Sheffield United, so it's going to be a big task and if we can get a result, particularly a win, it will be a fantastic achievement for the players.

"The dream is to extend the unbeaten run, that's what we want to do. Obviously it's a short-term goal to get as many points as you can.

"I believe we have a side that can disrupt a good Sheffield Wednesday team but it will be pretty close I would have thought, if I was looking at it on paper, but of course the game is not played on paper.

"It's played in different environments and we are looking to extend our unbeaten run, that's for sure and we just play in the moment. We do everything we can to win every inch and win the battle."

INJURIES AND SUSPENSIONS

City's head coach reported "a few niggles in the camp" ahead of travelling up to Sheffield today (Friday) in preparation for the match.

Jamie Paterson is back from a hamstring injury, while Nathan Baker has now fully shaken off his knee injury.

Bailey Wright will serve the second of two-game suspension, imposed by The FA for "the successful deception of a match official".

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