Fan power brings the best out of Owls
WEDNESDAY will have another sell-out away following at Leeds tomorrow.
It follows an impressive attendance of 24,000 for the home clash with next-to-bottom Southend, who brought few fans to Hillsborough, and that game came after a bad run... Almost 5,000 Owls fan will be roaring their team on at Elland Road.
Captain Lee Bullen assures supporters that their backing is hugely appreciated by the players.
"The following that the club have never fails to astound me," he told The Star.
"I know the Leeds game is a derby, with not much travelling involved, but we sell out just about everywhere: Southampton, Plymouth, Colchester ...
"Until you come and play for the club you don't realise the size of the followings that they get and the amount of travelling the supporters do.
"There's nothing better for a players when the fans make it more like a home game than an away game."
After recent defeats at Derby, Southampton and Luton - though with a draw at Burnley thrown in - the Owls will be bidding to give their fans greater reward for their fervour.
Bullen said: "There have been times when we have let these people down with our performances.
"The Leeds game is a big game, a fantastic opportunity and a tough game.
"By accounts, their performances haven't been bad lately. We've got to be guarded, on our toes, especially in view of some of the goals we've been conceding lately. We've got to concentrate for 90 minutes.
"We also know our fans will be right behind us; their backing is so appreciated by the players."
Bullen, however, appreciates that it's also not just a case of blind faith.
"If we've given a disappointing performance they'll make their points known. Players like taking the plaudits when things are going well; we have to accept criticism when they're not," he said.
"Overall, the fans have been magnificent."
He feels the supporters' mood has ebbed and flowed along with the team's performances.
"When we had a great run before Christmas, they were starting to think of the play-offs; when we had a bad run, some may have started to wonder whether we might get relegated. It's all part of being a supporter.," he added.
"It would be great if we did get into the top six, and you always know that can happen if you put a run together, but if we're being realistic we're in no man's land at the moment."
Players head for Leeds with sympathy for Graham Coughlan in their thoughts, with the defender given compassionate leave after the drowning of his 18-year-old brother in a Dublin canal.
By comparison, the gap that Coughlan leaves in the Owls back four is a trifling matter, but the Owls will have a job to do, perhaps in a effort to get a decent result and dedicate it to the defender.
Boss Brian Laws watched Leeds's 1-0 defeat at Birmingham on Tuesday: "I thought they deserved more out of the game." he said.
"Although Birmingham took the lead, they looked the nervier side.
"Leeds didn't play like a team at the bottom of the league.
Kilde:
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