Luhukay talks injuries and GPS

Sheffield Wednesday boss Jo’s Luhukay spoke to the press today ahead of Saturday’s game against Aston Villa in the EFL Championship.

A disappointing midweek defeat at Millwall left Luhukay feeling blue but the Dutchman, who’s with just 1 league win since being appointed in the New Year, reminded everyone of the lengthy injury list currently at Hillsborough: “I must keep an eye on the players. They wear GPS so we can track their fitness. We have a lot of players with injury so our squad is very small and I must have results every day from GPS from the games” said Luhukay.

In the defeat at The Den on Tuesday, Luhukay started with winger Ross Wallace as the lone striker, resting Adthe Nihui, Lucas Joao and Adam Reach: “We have a very intense and hard programme, and we must look to the next game. On Saturday we have Villa, one of the top teams in the league, and Tuesday against Swansea before Bristol City in the league, two days later we have Ipswich Town… I must protect my players.”

“At the moment we have twelve players unavailable through injury. Ten of them are first team players” said Luhukay.

In the reverse fixture back at the start of November, the Owls were beaten 2-1 at Villa Park in a close encounter: “Aston Villa is one of the club’s who have a chance this season to go to the Premier League. It’s a very strong team, a lot of experienced players, and they were very hard working on Saturday to come to the result. But what we need to do now in games against top teams, is take out chances.”

After a 0-0 draw with Carlos Carvajhal’S Swansea side in the FA Cup fifth round last Saturday, the Owls travel down to South Wales to play the replay on Tuesday: “In the next two weeks we have very hard and heavy games so I must look who can play for the last game and the next game… I’m very careful about what I’m ding with my team.”

With just one away win since Boxing Day, and one league win since being appointed, Owls boss Jo’s Luhukay is starting to come under scrutiny of Wednesday fans, who are particularly lamenting his tram selection.