Millers And Owls Prepare For Derby Clash
Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal has shaken off his side's favourites tag ahead of their South Yorkshire derby with Rotherham.
The Owls head the eight miles across the M1 to take on the Millers on an eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions and eight points better off than their rivals.
They are buoyed further by being unbeaten against the Millers away in the league since 1976 and their hosts occupying a spot in the relegation zone.
But, under new boss Neil Redfearn, Carvalhal is not taking anything for granted.
"It will be a very tough game, all the derbies are,'' he said.
"They have changed the coach recently, they have new ideas, new energy, it's an organised and tough team. It will be interesting, it will be tough for both teams. They can create problems and we can create problems.
"I don't think we are favourites, in the derbies there are never favourites.
Even if one team is in first and the other is in last. These kind of games are special environments, it's a game where anything can happen.
"We understand the importance of the game, but we will change nothing, we will go with the same spirit, we will fight a lot and we will do exactly the same as what we have been doing.''
Redfearn, in his first two weeks of the job which new Leeds boss Steve Evans left last month, also believes form will be no guide going into the game.
"They have got many strings to their bow, they are a strong side on a good run and they will feel good about themselves,'' he said.
"But derbies, size of the club, form, it all goes out of the window, it's about the 11 who want it the most.
"I have got to make sure our players understand that.
"We have got to make it a derby atmosphere. These are great games to look forward to. It'll be a fantastic occasion and one to look forward to.''