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Powys County Times
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Sheffield Wednesday land top-half finish amid doubts over Danny Rohl future
Sheffield Wednesday secured a top-half Championship finish after a 1-1 draw at Watford in what could turn out to be Danny Rohl's last game in charge. Josh Windass gave the Owls a 29th-minute lead but Moussa Sissoko replied in first-half added time to ensure a stalemate in a game between two teams with little left to play for. Rohl – whose future has been in doubt after he was linked with Southampton, Leicester and RB Leipzig – had set his side the target of ending the season in the top half of the Championship for only the sixth time in 19 years. A point was sufficient to achieve a 12th-placed finish while Watford saw out the campaign in 14th after ending a run of four successive defeats. A run of just one win in eight games killed off any hopes the Hornets had of forcing their way into the play-offs. They showed few signs of improving on their recent record as Wednesday took control of the opening stages. The visitors should have taken the lead in the 10th minute when Windass – one of five players in the Wednesday line-up out of contract this summer – was presented with a clear opportunity following a misplaced pass from Watford forward Mamadou Doumbia. The forward found himself with time and space in front of goal only to fire his shot over the bar. Watford's response was limited to an attempted long-range lob by Imran Louza which was easily dealt with by Owls goalkeeper Pierce Charles. It was the Owls who were rewarded for their early efforts when Windass made up for his previous miss by making the breakthrough in the 29th minute. The goal came from a well-worked free-kick with Shea Charles delivering a cross towards the far post where Callum Paterson headed back across goal for Windass to finish from close range. The shock of conceding appeared to spark Watford into life and Tom Cleverley's side came close to equalising when centre-back Mattie Pollock headed over from a Louza corner. Louza was again the provider when Watford drew level in the first minute of added time. The midfielder lofted a ball over the Wednesday defence and into the path of Sissoko, who took a touch before firing past Charles. The home side carried on from where they left off at the start of the second half and it took an alert Charles to deny Doumbia the chance to add a second. The Owls keeper was again called into action to keep out Edo Kayembe's powerful shot shortly after the midfielder had seen a deflected effort strike the outside of a post.
The Herald Scotland
03-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Sheffield Wednesday land top-half finish amid doubts over Danny Rohl future
Rohl – whose future has been in doubt after he was linked with Southampton, Leicester and RB Leipzig – had set his side the target of ending the season in the top half of the Championship for only the sixth time in 19 years. A point was sufficient to achieve a 12th-placed finish while Watford saw out the campaign in 14th after ending a run of four successive defeats. A run of just one win in eight games killed off any hopes the Hornets had of forcing their way into the play-offs. They showed few signs of improving on their recent record as Wednesday took control of the opening stages. The visitors should have taken the lead in the 10th minute when Windass – one of five players in the Wednesday line-up out of contract this summer – was presented with a clear opportunity following a misplaced pass from Watford forward Mamadou Doumbia. The forward found himself with time and space in front of goal only to fire his shot over the bar. Watford's response was limited to an attempted long-range lob by Imran Louza which was easily dealt with by Owls goalkeeper Pierce Charles. It was the Owls who were rewarded for their early efforts when Windass made up for his previous miss by making the breakthrough in the 29th minute. The goal came from a well-worked free-kick with Shea Charles delivering a cross towards the far post where Callum Paterson headed back across goal for Windass to finish from close range. The shock of conceding appeared to spark Watford into life and Tom Cleverley's side came close to equalising when centre-back Mattie Pollock headed over from a Louza corner. Louza was again the provider when Watford drew level in the first minute of added time. The midfielder lofted a ball over the Wednesday defence and into the path of Sissoko, who took a touch before firing past Charles. The home side carried on from where they left off at the start of the second half and it took an alert Charles to deny Doumbia the chance to add a second. The Owls keeper was again called into action to keep out Edo Kayembe's powerful shot shortly after the midfielder had seen a deflected effort strike the outside of a post. But the Hornets were unable to find a way through and it was Wednesday who almost carved out a late winner when Olaf Kobacki shot narrowly wide.
Morocco World
02-03-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Watford Manager Calls Imran Louza ‘One of Best Midfielders in the League'
Rabat – Moroccan international Imran Louza received high praise from Watford manager Tom Cleverley, who described him as 'one of the best midfielders in the league.' Speaking to the Watford Observer, Cleverley said the 25-year-old midfielder 'has become fantastic.' The Watford boss explained how the team has developed their tactical approach to maximize Louza's strengths. 'We've implemented a game plan to make him initiate many of our attacks and control our structure,' Cleverley said. 'We've tried to utilize his strengths, but what has impressed me are his leadership qualities.' Cleverley highlighted Louza's development as a leader within the squad. 'He has undoubtedly transformed into a leader, and he cares deeply about how well we perform,' he noted. The manager also defended Louza against misconceptions about his playing style. 'What people sometimes don't understand is that when a player isn't aggressive in winning tackles, they think he isn't good and can't maintain possession,' he said, adding that the Moroccan 'understands where he needs to be and can cover all areas.' Louza served as Watford's captain during Saturday's goalless draw against Stoke City in the 35th round of the Championship. His performance demonstrated that he has regained much of his brilliance this season, earning his manager's trust and cementing his position as a key player and team leader in the Watford lineup. Being in Watford's books since 2021, Louza has made 85 appearances in all competitions for the Hertfordshire outfit in all competitions to date. He scored on eight occasions and secured eight assists for his teammates. Tags: Atlas LionChampionshipFootballImran LouzaWatford
