Boss wary of Wednesday
Carlos Carvalhal reckons Swansea City must topple a Sheffield Wednesday side who are on the up if they are to land a place in the Emirates FA Cup quarter-finals.
Carvalhal leads the Swans back to his previous club in tomorrow’s fifth-round tie at Hillsborough (12.30pm).
The in-form Swans, who have not lost in nine matches, will hope to avoid a cup shock when they take an Owls side who currently lie 15th in the second tier.
Wednesday’s task will not be made an easier by a lengthy injury list, with a number of senior players set to miss this weekend’s game.
But Carvalhal has warned the Swans to expect a tough test against opponents who have lost only once in nine games under new boss Jos Luhukay.
“We are playing against a good Championship team and it is very difficult playing at Hillsborough,” he said.
“The team is different now from when we were there – they have a different manager with different ideas, a different formation and a different dynamic.
“The manager is having to deal with some injuries to important players at the moment, but I think they are progressing and the team is getting better.
“When all the players recover from injury, they will be one of the strongest teams in the league. With all the players fit, they can be in the top three or four.
“They have good attackers, good midfielders, good defenders and good goalkeepers. It’s a good side and they can be an excellent side when everyone is fit.”
The Swans have injury problems of their own, while recent signings Andre Ayew and Andy King will miss the trip to South Yorkshire because they are cup-tied.
For Carvalhal, who spent two-and-a-half years as Wednesday boss, tomorrow’s game will be like returning “home”.
“I am an Owl and I will be forever. That’s absolutely sure,” he said.
“We had some unbelievable moments at Sheffield Wednesday with some very strong emotions.
“That makes me feel like part of the club, just like I feel part of Besiktas after working there.
“Now I am working very hard to be a Jack in the future. I hope whenever I leave Swansea that the people will remember me because we have done well here.”
