Sheffield Wednesday: Why Carlos won't talk about promotion

Carlos Carvalhal insists Sheffield Wednesday cannot take their eyes off the ball by thinking about a top six finish.
Carlos CarvalhalCarlos Carvalhal
Carlos Carvalhal

Carvalhal has steadfastly refused to discuss potential promotion for Wednesday at any stage of the current campaign and continues to do so with the finishing line in sight.

Sealing a play-off place is back in the Owls’ hands after their impressive win at Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Birmingham City and Ipswich Town failed to win meaning victories in their remaining games in hand would not be enough to take them into the top six.

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But their Portuguese head coach is only willing to consider the next game, the visit of Charlton Athletic to Hillsborough on Saturday.

Explaining his philosophy of not looking beyond the next match, Carvalhal said he sees little point in devoting time to things out of his own control.

“To me, I don’t want to spend one second talking about promotion because what I must do is focus on the next game and try to win this,” Carvalhal said.

“Everything after this is artificial.

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“After this, let us see what happens.

“We can lose the concentration. We must focus on what we must do and what we can do in our control.

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“What is in our control is trying to win our games and preparing very well for the games.

“After this we have nothing in control.

“I have a lot of experience and know not to be out of my focus.

“What I can control is for my players to be ready to play the next game.

“Let us see in the end what we can do.

“About the position, I will not talk about that. It is not important because most important to me is preparing for the next game against Charlton. This is the way.

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To emphasise the point, Carvalhal insisted he had not checked the results of the Owls’ play-off rivals after Saturday’s game.

He said: “I have not looked at any score.

“We won so I am happy, I enjoy my weekend, rest a little and on Saturday we have another game against Charlton.

Wednesday intend to launch an appeal over the sending off of Barry Bannan at Forest on Saturday.

Bannan is facing a three match ban after being shown a straight red for a foul on Forest’s Eric Lichaj.