Sheffield Wednesday: What Morgan Fox feels is driving Owls' promotion push

Morgan Fox has dismissed the notion that Wednesday have too many players, claiming the fierce competition for places at Hillsborough is spurring the team on to new heights.
Morgan FoxMorgan Fox
Morgan Fox

Carlos Carvalhal’s expensively-assembled squad will be seeking to maintain their push for a play-off place when they take on Aston Villa this afternoon.

Although several of the Owls’ players are currently carrying knocks, Carvalhal remains spoilt for choice in all departments.

“People say the size of the squad is too big but it is not,” Fox told The Star. “It gives good competition for places and everyone is pushing each other every day in training so it can only be healthy.

“Everybody is pushing each other.

“We all want to be on the pitch and it (competition) really does raise standards.”

Despite Wednesday’s lofty league position, the full-back is adamant no one is safe from the drop.

Fox, who is competing with Adam Reach and Daniel Pudil for a starting spot, said: “Competition keeps you on your toes and keeps you looking over your shoulder. You never know when you are going to be in and out of the team.

“The gaffer has always said if you are doing well in training and doing well in the games then you will play. I wouldn’t say he has a set team that he wants to play. You have to work hard in training to get your place on a Saturday so that’s what I’m going to keep doing.”

After winning five of their last eight Championship outings, the Owls have opened up a five point gap over seventh-placed Fulham, although the Cottagers boast a game in hand.

“You do glance at the teams below a little bit,” said Foxt. “You would be silly not to glance at what they are doing but essentially we are focusing on what we are doing.

“As opposed to being the chaser, you want to be chased because it means you are always going to be above that team. We are in the position we want to be in at the moment. We just have to keep going.”

Following the trip to Villa Park, Wednesday entertain promotion rivals Reading before the next international break.

Fox said: “We are looking up rather than down.

“We are pretty confident with the results we’ve had recently. We’ve put some good form together.

“We need to get as many points as we can. It’s just the way it is in this league as there are so many games.

“If you put back-to-back wins together, a lot can change.”

Meanwhile, Wednesday’s clash with Barnsley on April 1 has been brought forward to a 12:30pm kick-off on police advice.