|
It was only 13 years ago that Wednesday finished 3rd behind Leeds and Man Utd in the final First Division table. The next season 92/93 was the first ever Premiership.
What a season that was. A top 10 Premiership finish coupled with two cup finals. Both lost though to Arsenal, the FA Cup after a replay.
They stayed in the Premiership for 7 seasons until 2000. They were relegated along with Wimbledon and Watford. The stay in the second level of football lasted two seasons before they were relegated in 2003, ironically filling the place we left as we were promoted.
A dreadful run of form at the end of the 2003 / 2004 season almost saw them relegated again. They survived by three points depite having a 10 point cushion at the start of April.
In 2004 / 205 they made in back to Championship level. Paul Sturrock managed them into the play offs and that culminated with a 4 - 2 play off final win in Cardiff in front of nearly 60,000.
Now back in the Championship they have 19 points from 17 games and could close the gap on Cardiff to just 2 points if they were to win tonight.
It's been a long time since the sides last met. In May 1984 Wednesday won at Ninian Park and earlier in that season it was 5 - 2 to the home side at Hilsborough. Cardiff's last win at Hillsborough was in March 1976.
In their last three games they have won at Norwich, lost at Reading and last Saturday beat Derby at home. They will be confident going into tonights game.
City left back Chris Barker returns tonight to the club he supported as a boy.
"This is an interesting match for me because of my allegiances to both clubs," he told the press on Monday.
"I started watching Sheffield Wednesday at the age of six or seven and went to every home game for about 10 years. My heroes back then were people like David Hurst, Carlton Palmer, Chris Waddle and Nigel Pearson.
"A few members of my family are coming along, although they haven't given me any inside information on the current Wednesday team!"
Wednesday are not a team full of recognisable names. Of the names you might know Nicky Weaver is on loan from Man City. Richie Partridge is in the squad. City have enquired into his availability over the years. Chris Eagles is on loan from Man Utd and midfielder Craig Rocastle is a cousin of David Rocastle, the Arsenal star that tragically lost his life in 2001.
Cardiff could leap a massive 6 places to 5th win a win tonight. We have a 10 day break before we go to Preston, how great would it be to sit in the top 6? A draw would even take us up 5 places.
Kick off tonight is at 7:45pm and it is live on Sky Sports 1.