Sheffield Wednesday: Sam Winnall eyes back-to-back promotions via the play-offs

Sam WinnallSam Winnall
Sam Winnall
Twelve months after winning in the play-offs with Barnsley, Sam Winnall has set his sights on repeating the feat with Sheffield Wednesday.

The 26-year-old played a big part in the Reds securing promotion to the Championship last season, hitting 24 goals.

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Now Winnall is looking to lead the Owls back into the Premier League after a 17-year absence.

Sam WinnallSam Winnall
Sam Winnall

He said: “I am getting used to play-offs!

“I don’t think there is a key - it is just being the best you can be on the day.

“I think the biggest thing is experience. You look at the Barnsley team last season, we played at Wembley a month before and then we played again and were 2-0 up within 10 minutes and it was game over. Having that experience of Wembley and knowing what it is like holds us in good stead.”

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Sam WinnallSam Winnall
Sam Winnall

On the eve of Barnsley’s second visit to Wembley in the space of two months last year, the striker watched the Championship Play-Off Final at the team’s London hotel as the Owls succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Hull City.

When asked if his Wednesday teammates have discussed the near miss, Winnall said: “I don’t think it needs to be spoken about. It is obvious, isn’t it.

“To go and lose in a Play-Off Final is obviously going to be disappointing and we want to rectify that and go one better this season.”

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Carlos Carvalhal’s men head to Huddersfield Town for the first leg of their play-off semi-final tomorrow. The second leg takes place at Hillsborough next Wednesday.

Winnall said: “It doesn’t really matter who is at home first or second; we are happy being in the play-offs and we believe we are going to go all the way.”

Wednesday splashed out to £500,000 to bring Winnall to Hillsborough in January and the former Scunthorpe United player made his debut as a substitute in the team’s victory 2-0 win over Huddersfield.

“We won 2-0 and I made my debut and that was obviously a great day and hopefully we can have another one against Huddersfield,” he added.