How Sheffield Wednesday will approach Carabao Cup clash against Sunderland with ex-Cats man expected to start

Sunderland will face Sheffield Wednesday in the first round of the Carabao Cup – but what can they expect from the Owls?
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Darren Moore’s side have taken four points from their opening two League One fixtures this season, after drawing 3-3 with Portsmouth and winning 1-0 at MK Dons.

To find out more we caught up with Wednesday reporters Joe Crann and Alex Miller from our sister title The Sheffield Star on the latest episode of The Roar Podcast.

Sheffield Wednesday boss Darren Moore and Sunderland boss Alex Neil. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Sheffield Wednesday boss Darren Moore and Sunderland boss Alex Neil. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Sheffield Wednesday boss Darren Moore and Sunderland boss Alex Neil. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

How will Wednesday approach this match?

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JC: “If Darren made 11 changes it would come as no shock to me whatsoever.

“It’s a weird one the Carabao Cup because it’s not the Papa John’s and it’s not on that level. It is a tournament where a cup run would be quite nice but it’s sort of quite far to the back of peoples’ minds.

“You have to really do what you can in it without really sacrificing other stuff and that’s very much the sense that Darren is taking and from the stuff I’ve read from Alex Neil it’s a similar situation for you as well.”

What’s the verdict on Darren Moore among Wednesday fans?

AM: “I think the Wednesday support seems to be a little bit split and I think Sunderland and Wednesday are quite similar in where they have been in recent years in that the expectation is so massive.

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“I think any manager who comes in really has to hit the ground running.

“Darren Moore technically was the manager who took Wednesday down but a lot of the months before the season finished in the Championship he was in a hospital bed. I think the link there is unfair but technically that is the case.

“The second half of last season was very strong, you guys will have been aware of that, that Wednesday were the form side in that second half of the season.”

Which players can we expect to play?

AM: “Maybe a few of the new signings. Akin Famewo picked up an injury and we are waiting to see how bad that is.

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“I think Reece James will probably play, I imagine he’ll start because he’s not featured yet. He’s in a battle with Marvin Johnson for a starting berth on the left-hand side.

“Tyreeq Bakinson will probably start in the middle of midfield so there are a few knocking about. I think that’s what brings a little bit of intrigue on the Wednesday side.

“I’m particularly looking forward to seeing Reece James who looked really, really bright in pre-season.”

Will Moore stick with a back three?

JC: “Almost certainly.”

AM: “I’ll throw a curveball here, I wouldn’t be absolutely bowled over if Wednesday played four at the back.

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“Darren Moore has said a few times that he wants to be tactically flexible and given that there could be so many changes he might see it as an opportunity to give it a bit of a run out.

“I don’t think they have done masses of it in training so perhaps it would be a little bit too early.

“He sort of did it for ten minutes or so for the second half at the Stadium of Light and Sunderland ran all over them.”

What’s your predicted line-up?

JC: "Dawson; Hunt, Palmer, Iorfa, Galvin, James; Bakinson, Adeniran, Hunt; Paterson, Gregory.”