Sheffield Wednesday host Bristol City in the Championship on Saturday, in another cup final for the Owls.
Sheffield Wednesday have once again given themselves a definite sight of survival this season, having taken two wins from their last three Championship fixtures.
Danny Rohl‘s side remain in 23rd place of the table but are now four points behind Millwall in 21st, who Wednesday beat 2-0 in their last outing.
Up next is Bristol City who visit Hillsborough on Saturday; the Robins lost 1-0 at home to QPR last time out and now sit in 12th place of the table.
And for the game this weekend, Rohl could have some tough selection calls to make, with one potential regarding Liam Palmer.
Why Liam Palmer could be axed vs Bristol City
Sheffield Wednesday donned a back-five vs Millwall last weekend.
The change in shape saw Palmer in the starting XI for the first time since that 4-0 defeat at Huddersfield Town, and he played well, earning an 8/10 rating from The Star.
But Palmer, described as a ‘wonderful’ servant for the club by former boss Darren Moore, may become the expendable player in the defence if Rohl reverts to a back-four this weekend.
Although Sheffield Wednesday played well vs Millwall, that back-five set-up seemed like a very counter-attacking set-up and one that might be better-suited for playing away from home, whereas a 4-2-3-1 could give Wednesday more attacking prowess in a home game they really need to win.
Also, if Rohl reverts to a back-four this weekend, he’ll surely go with the usual back-four of Marvin Johnson and Pol Valentin on the flanks, and Michael Ihiekwe and Di’Shon Bernard in the middle.
Palmer could solve another Sheffield Wednesday issue
One emerging issue over the past few weeks has been in the middle of the park, specifically in front of the defence.
Momo Diaby has struggled for form and fitness and Will Vaulks hasn’t been the same since his minor injury at the start of the year.
Rohl desperately needs a steely player to step up and partner Barry Bannan in the middle and Palmer could be the man to do just that.
He’s played in defensive midfield on a couple of occasions this season; in one game vs Cardiff City in the FA Cup where Palmer scored in the 4-0 win, he thoroughly impressed.
He’s got the athleticism to play in midfield and having been a defender for his entire career, he’s got the defensive attributes to play that role as well.
What’s more is that his experience and love for the club will be vital in this final run-in, so it would be harsh to take him out of the XI entirely, but Palmer may well be better served in front of the defence rather than in it.
Kick off is at 3pm on Saturday.