The Championship side have managed 16 clean sheets in the league this term.
Keiren Westwood has played down the significance of Sheffield Wednesday being on the verge of breaking their club record for clean sheets in a league season by insisting that securing a win in their upcoming game is more important, the Sheffield Star reports.
The Owls go into their game with Cardiff on Saturday knowing that if they keep the Bluebirds at bay, they will secure their 17th clean sheet of the campaign and draw level with the side from the 1978-79 season who currently hold the record.
But with Russell Slade’s side being the only team that can deny Wednesday a play-off spot – the two clubs are separated by four points with two games to go – Westwood explained that securing the three points is the only thing that Carlos Carvalhal’s men should be concentrating on.
“I’m not really looking at that [clean sheet record] to be honest. I’m looking at securing our place in the play-offs. If we win 2-1 next week, it won’t make a difference to me,” he told the Star.
As a victory for Cardiff would see the gap close to just one point, and would leave Wednesday knowing that they would have to go to Wolves on the final day of the season and make sure their result is not bettered by the Welsh side, Carvalhal will surely be instructing his men to take the initiative against the Bluebirds rather than sit back and play for the draw.
Looking to just do enough – and equal the record in the process – could be a dangerous strategy for the Owls and may ultimately see the battle for the final play-off spot go down to the final day with the side in seventh boasting all of the momentum.
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