Dickov praises wise Owls boss

PAUL Dickov will pit his wits against an experienced old campaigner who once tried to sign him tonight.

Sheffield Wednesday trot out at Boundary Park with a mood as downbeat as Athletic's own.

A lowly placing of 16th in npower League One is one few expected at the start of the season and no side has lost more times than the Owls' 10 away from home so far.

Home form has taken a hit too, as bottom-of-the-table Plymouth emerged from Hillsborough at the weekend with an unlikely 4-2 victory.

With new man Gary Megson at the helm under the watch of owner Milan Mandaric, though, Dickov believes that the South Yorkshire club's fortunes are set to change.

"Sheffield Wednesday are, along with Southampton, probably the biggest club in the division," Dickov said.

"They are both Premier League clubs — big clubs with long histories.

"The one thing they have to cope with is that for everyone who plays them, it is their biggest game of the season. They maybe suffer from that.

"What Sheffield Wednesday have got now is a manager who won't stand for any nonsense.

"Gary is experienced, and his track record speaks for itself. I am sure he will get it right.

"Off the pitch he is a lovely man but he is a winner as well.

"I spoke to him when he was West Brom manager when he tried to sign me, and Gerry (Taggart) has worked with him at Leicester.

"So we know exactly what sort of team we expect to face."

West Ham pair Benni McCarthy and Hérita Ilunga were both loan targets for Wednesday late last month, an indication of the new wealth of the club when it comes to bidding for new faces.

Athletic picked up a 0-0 draw in the midweek away game at Hillsborough earlier this season and Dickov knows his men are in for a difficult evening.