Wednesday decent shout to beat West Brom

Normally, when a manager takes over a football club it is because the football club he is taking over is struggling to win football matches.

There are obvious exceptions, of course, but the general rule is if you’re taking over a team you have got a lot of work to do.

Join bwin now and place up to £20 in free bets on Sheffield Wednesday v West Brom

Few managers going into a new club could have had it as cushy as Dave Jones. When the former Wolves boss took over as Sheffield Wednesday manager from Gary Megson in March, there was no revolution needed. In fact, not even evolution was required: Wednesday were third in the table and had just beaten city rivals United 1-0 in the derby at Hillsborough.

There can’t be many managers who have been sacked on the back of a derby win, but then again there aren’t many owners like Milan Mandaric. But like him or loathe him, his decision was eventually justified.

The Owls have made some good signings at Championship level, particularly as many have been free transfers, and I fancy their chances of upsetting the odds and beating West Bromwich Albion at Hillsborough on Saturday.

Jones’ Wednesday overtook the Blades – winning eight more points over the last 13 league games – to win automatic promotion from League One and although the ex-Cardiff boss deserves some credit, it was hardly like he had a mountain to climb.

And so after successive failures with Cardiff, where Jones’ side were on the other end of late surges of form, Jones is back in the Championship and make no bones about it, Mandaric will want promotion yesterday.

Jones therefore needs a good start to keep his job: just as Megson was harshly sacked, the same fate awaits Jones should he not deliver to the timetable expected of the impatient Serb.

The Owls have made some good signings at Championship level, particularly as many have been free transfers, and I fancy their chances of upsetting the odds and beating West Bromwich Albion at Hillsborough on Saturday.

The Owls are 21/10 to do just that, with the draw at 23/10 and the Baggies priced at 21/10 and I think that the price about a Wednesday victory is a bit on the big side.

West Brom are still finding their feet under Steve Clarke, and have been a bit inconsistent (understandably) so far, drawing blanks against Malmo and Barnsley while picking up a good win against Copenhagen. Their problem has been converting their decent possession into chances and goals – something which could well come with matches under the belt – but I think they could come unstuck again against a Wednesday team in good form.

Wednesday already have a win over Premier League opposition to their name this summer – they deservedly defeated Reading 2-0 on their pre-season tour of Portugal – and will be hoping to continue their home form from last season as they play their first Sheffield fixture of the new year.

Under both Megson and Jones, Wednesday lost only two home league games last season and boasted the best home record in the division, winning the most games (17) and conceding the fewest goals (19). I see a tough task for West Brom here, and at the prices available I like the look of Wednesday to claim another top flight scalp.

Recommended bet: Sheffield Wednesday @ 21/10

New customers can register here to claim a free £20 bet or click here to see all our Premier League odds.

Follow us on Twitter @bwin