FGR are back in League One action this Saturday afternoon as they head to Hillsborough to take on Sheffield Wednesday.
Rovers face tough opposition as they will be looking to get back to winning ways after defeat to Plymouth Argyle last weekend.
Want to know more about our next opponents? Here’s some of the key information on the Owls ahead of our trip to Sheffield.
IN THE DUGOUT: DARREN MOORE
Darren Moore became the Sheffield Wednesday manager back in March 2021 and has now been at Hillsborough for nearly a year and a half.
The former centre back had a 20 year playing career in English football most notably for West Bromwich Albion and Doncaster Rovers, both of which he would later manage.
Moore hung up his boots in 2012 with Burton Albion before returning to West Brom where he began coaching in their youth set-up.
He very nearly kept the Baggies in the Premier League as caretaker manager of the first team in 2018 and was subsequently given the job, albeit only lasting to March the following year.
His next destination was in League One with another former club Doncaster where he impressed before heading back to the Championship with Wednesday.
But the 48-year-old couldn’t keep the Owls from relegation in the 2020/21 season and is now taking charge of his second full season in the third tier with the Owls.
ONE TO WATCH: BARRY BANNAN
Wednesday’s midfield ace and captain Barry Bannan joined the club from Crystal Palace back in 2015 and has made over 300 appearances for the Owls.
The 32-year-old played his youth football for both Celtic and Aston Villa before making his debut in the Midlands back in 2008.
He played over 75 games for the Villans around loan spells with Derby County, Blackpool and Leeds United before moving to Palace in 2013.
The Scottish international went to Bolton Wanderers on loan whilst with the Eagles before arriving at Wednesday seven years ago.
During his time in Yorkshire, Bannan has consistently been a top performer for the side and has been through two successive Championship play-off campaigns and a League One play-off finish last season.
THE SQUAD
Including Bannan the midfield contingent in S6 is a strong one, with the likes of Will Vaulks and George Byers providing higher level experience.
Wednesday also have former Rotherham duo Michael Smith and Michael Ihiekwe at their disposal after acquiring their services this summer.
Another new signing Malik Wilks could feature for the first time against Rovers after joining the club from Hull City earlier this week.
Other key players include veteran goalkeeper David Stockdale who also signed this Summer as well as attacker Josh Windass (above), who already has four goal involvements in League One this term.
FORM - WLWWD
30/07/22 – Sheffield Wednesday 3-3 Portsmouth
06/08/22 – Milton Keynes Dons 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday
13/08/22 – Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 Charlton Athletic
16/08/22 – Peterborough United 2-0 Sheffield Wednesday
20/08/22 – Bolton Wanderers 0-2 Sheffield Wednesday
PLAYED FOR BOTH SIDES
New Rovers frontman Connor Wickham joined the club earlier this month and scored on his debut in the 1-1 draw against Lincoln City a fortnight ago.
But the 29 year old has also spent time with Wednesday, playing at Hillsborough over three separate loan spells.
His first stint came at the end of the 2012/13 season before he spent a prolific two months there in the following campaign, scoring eight goals in 11 games.
He returned in 2020 for another loan spell and scored twice more in the Wednesday blue and white, making 13 appearances.
LAST TIME OUT
Wednesday got back to winning ways last weekend defeating an unbeaten Bolton Wanderers 2-0 at the University of Bolton Stadium.
The opening goal came 10 minutes before the break as midfielder Barry Bannan set up George Byers who slotted home their first of the afternoon.
Bolton skipper Ricardo Santos almost scored a bizarre own goal in the build-up, but Bannan would tee up Byers just seconds later to go ahead.
The second came just two minutes later through captain Liam Palmer, who got in behind before beating the helpless James Trafford to score on his 350th Owls appearance.
Ian Evatt’s Trotters tried to get back into things but just couldn’t find the net, albeit coming close through a Jack Iredale free-kick 25 minutes from time.
