2013–14 Segunda Liga, Teams, Personnel and kits
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players and Managers may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2013–14 Senior Women's Challenger Trophy
The 2013–14 Senior Women's Challenger Trophy was the fifth edition of India's 50 over Women's Challenger Trophy. Three teams made up of the best players in India competed in a round-robin group, with the top two advancing to the final. All matches were held at the JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi across four days in January 2014. The tournament was won by India Blue, who beat India Red in the final by 8 wickets.


2013–14 Senior Women's Challenger Trophy, Competition format
The three teams played in a round-robin group, playing each other team once, with the top two advancing to the final. Matches were played using a 50 over format.


2013–14 Senior Women's Challenger Trophy, Competition format
The group worked on a points system with positions with the group being based on the total points. Points were awarded as follows:


2013–14 Senior Women's Challenger Trophy, Competition format
Win: 4 points. Tie: 2 points. Loss: 0 points. No Result/Abandoned: 2 points.


2013–14 Senior Women's Challenger Trophy, Competition format
If points in the final table are equal, teams are separated by their Net Run Rate.


2013–14 Senior Women's One Day League
The 2013–14 Senior Women's One Day League was the 8th edition of the women's List A cricket competition in India. It took place in December 2013, with 26 teams divided into an Elite Group and a Plate Group. Railways won the tournament, their second in a row and seventh overall, by topping the Elite Group Super League.


2013–14 Senior Women's One Day League, Competition format
The 26 teams competing in the tournament were divided into the Elite Group and the Plate Group, with the 10 teams in the Elite Group further divided into Groups A and B and the 16 teams in the Plate Group into Groups A, B and C. The tournament operated on a round-robin format, with each team playing every other team in their group once. The top two sides from each Elite Group progressed to the Elite Group Super League, which was a further round-robin group, with the winner of the group being crowned Champions.


2013–14 Senior Women's One Day League, Competition format
The bottom side from each Elite Group was relegated to the Plate Group for the following season. Meanwhile, the top two from each Plate Group progressed to a knockout stage, with the two teams that reached the final being promoted for the following season, as well as playing off for the Plate Group title. Matches were played using a 50 over format.


2013–14 Senior Women's One Day League, Competition format
The groups worked on a points system with positions with the groups being based on the total points. Points were awarded as follows:


2013–14 Senior Women's One Day League, Competition format
Win: 4 points. Tie: 2 points. Loss: 0 points. No Result/Abandoned: 2 points.


2013–14 Senior Women's One Day League, Competition format
If points in the final table are equal, teams are separated by most wins, then head-to-head record, then Net Run Rate.


2013–14 Senior Women's One Day League, Plate Group, Plate Group C
Advanced to Plate Group Semi-finals  Advanced to Plate Group Quarter-finals


2013–14 Senior Women's T20 League
The 2013–14 Senior Women's T20 League was the 6th edition of the women's Twenty20 cricket competition in India. It took place in February 2014 with 26 teams divided into an Elite Group and a Plate Group. Railways won the tournament, their fifth in a row, by topping the Elite Group Super League.


2013–14 Senior Women's T20 League, Competition format
The 26 teams competing in the tournament were divided into the Elite Group and the Plate Group, with the 10 teams in the Elite Group further divided into Groups A and B and the 16 teams in the Plate Group into Groups A, B and C. The tournament operated on a round-robin format, with each team playing every other team in their group once. The top two sides from each Elite Group progressed to the Elite Group Super League, which was a further round-robin group, with the winner of the group being crowned Champions.


2013–14 Senior Women's T20 League, Competition format
The bottom side from each Elite Group was relegated to the Plate Group for the following season. Meanwhile, the top two from each Plate Group progressed to a knockout stage, with the two teams that reached the final being promoted for the following season, as well as playing off for the Plate Group title. Matches were played using a Twenty20 format.


2013–14 Senior Women's T20 League, Competition format
The groups worked on a points system with positions with the groups being based on the total points. Points were awarded as follows:


2013–14 Senior Women's T20 League, Competition format
Win: 4 points. Tie: 2 points. Loss: 0 points. No Result/Abandoned: 2 points.


2013–14 Senior Women's T20 League, Competition format
If points in the final table are equal, teams are separated by most wins, then head-to-head record, then Net Run Rate.


2013–14 Senior Women's T20 League, Plate Group, Plate Group C
Advanced to Plate Group Semi-finals  Advanced to Plate Group Quarter-finals


2013–14 Sepahan F.C. season
The 2013–14 season was Sepahan's 13th season in the Pro League, and their 20th consecutive season in the top division of Iranian Football and 60th year in existence as a football club. They also competed in the Hazfi Cup and the AFC Champions League. Sepahan was captained by Moharram Navidkia.


2013–14 Sepahan F.C. season, Transfers, Summer
In:Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2013–14 Sepahan F.C. season, Transfers, Summer
Out:Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2013–14 Sepahan F.C. season, Transfers, Winter
In:Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2013–14 Sepahan F.C. season, Transfers, Winter
Out:Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2013–14 Serbian Cup
The 2013–14 Serbian Cup season is the eighth season of the Serbian national football tournament.


2013–14 Serbian Cup
The competition will start on 4 September 2013 and concludes with the Final on 7 May 2014.


2013–14 Serbian Cup
The winner of the competition will qualify for the 2014–15 UEFA Europa League.


2013–14 Serbian Cup, Preliminary round
A preliminary round was held in order to reduce the number of teams competing in the next round to 32. It consisted of 7 single-legged ties, with penalty shoot-out as decider, if the score was tied after 90 minutes. Appearing in this round were bottom 9 teams from 2012–13 Serbian First League, as well as 5 regional cup winners. The draw contained seeded and unseeded teams.


2013–14 Serbian Cup, Preliminary round
Bottom 9 teams from 2012–13 Serbian First League (Sloga Kraljevo, Timok, Inđija, Teleoptik, Radnički Nova Pazova, Banat Zrenjanin, OFK Mladenovac, Kolubara and RFK Novi Sad) were set as seeded teams, with 5 regional cup winners (IM Rakovica, Partizan Bumbarevo Brdo, Trstenik PPT, Radnički Sremska Mitrovica and Mokra Gora) being set as unseeded teams. After drawing 5 seeded-unseeded match-ups, remaining 2 fixtures were determined by regular draw, without seeds. The matches were played on 4 September 2013. Average attendance for preliminary round matches was 490.


2013–14 Serbian Cup, Round of 32
In this round, seven winners from the previous round were joined by all 16 teams from Serbian Superliga from 2012–13, as well as top 9 teams from Serbian First League from 2012–13. The draw contained seeded and unseeded teams. Hajduk Kula, which finished 8th in Serbian Superliga previous season was dissolved after propositions for this season's cup competition were established. Thus only 15 teams from 2012–13 Serbian SuperLiga (Partizan, Crvena Zvezda, Vojvodina, Jagodina, Sloboda Užice, OFK Beograd, Rad, Spartak Subotica, Javor Ivanica, Donji Srem, Radnički Niš, Radnički 1923, Novi Pazar, BSK Borča (II), Smederevo (II)) were set as seeded teams.


2013–14 Serbian Cup, Round of 32
After 15 drawn ties, remaining undrawn unseeded team was Voždovac, and it received an automatic bye to the next round. Draw was held on 12 September 2013. The matches were played on 25 September 2013. No extra time was played if the score was tied after regular 90 minutes, with games going straight into penalties. Average attendance for first round matches was 1400.


2013–14 Serbian Cup, Round of 16
16 winners from first round took part in this stage of the competition. The draw was scheduled for 8 October 2013, and it contained seeded and unseeded teams. Seedings were determined by last season's final standings in top two Serbian divisions. Seeded teams: Partizan, Crvena Zvezda, Vojvodina, Jagodina, Sloboda Užice, OFK Beograd, Spartak Subotica and Donji Srem. Unseeded teams: Radnički Niš, Radnički 1923, Novi Pazar, Napredak Kruševac, Čukarički, Voždovac, Jedinstvo Užice (II) and Borac Čačak (II). The matches were played on 30 October 2013. No extra time was played in case of tie after 90 minutes. Those games went straight into penalty shoot-out. Average attendance for second round matches was 2720.


2013–14 Serbian Cup, Quarter-finals
8 winners from second round take part in this stage of the competition. The draw was held on 11 November 2013, and contained seeded and unseeded teams. Seedings were determined by following key: Last season's cup semifinalists were automatically set as seeded teams, with remaining seeds determined by last season final standings in top two Serbian divisions. Seeded teams: Jagodina, Vojvodina, OFK Beograd, Partizan. Unseeded teams: Crvena Zvezda, Sloboda Užice, Spartak Subotica, Donji Srem. The matches were played on 4 December 2013.


2013–14 Serbian Cup, Semi-finals
4 winners from Quarter finals (Jagodina, Vojvodina, OFK Beograd and Spartak Subotica) take part in this stage of the competition. The draw was held on 17 December 2013. There were no seedings in the draw. Semi-finals were contested over two legs. Aggregate winners qualified for the Cup finals. First legs were played on 26 March 2014, and second legs were played on 9 April 2014.


2013–14 Serbian Cup, Final
2 winners from Semi-finals took part in the single-legged final. The final game was played on 7 May 2014.


2013–14 Serbian First League
The Serbian First Football League (Serbian: Prva Liga Srbija) is the second-highest football league in Serbia. The league is operated by the Serbian FA. Sixteen teams competed in this league for the 2013–14 season. Two teams were promoted to the Serbian Superliga while the 3rd placed team played in the play-offs against the 14th team in the Super liga for the first time. Four teams were relegated to the Serbian League, the third-highest division overall in the Serbian football league system. The season began in August 2013 and ended in June 2014.


2013–14 Serbian First League, 2013–14 teams, Hajduk Kula liquidation
In July Serbian SuperLiga club Hajduk Kula went defunct thus leaving an empty place in 2013–14 Serbian SuperLiga. On an urgent meeting in Football Association of Serbia, it was ruled that 3rd placed team from 2012–13 Serbian First League should be promoted to Serbian SuperLiga. It was also announced that, due to shortage of time until the beginning of the season, 13th placed team from last season is going to stay in the league for the current season. Formally, that meant that Voždovac was promoted and Teleoptik stayed in the league.


2013–14 Serbian Hockey League season
The 2013–14 Serbian Hockey League season was the 23rd season of the Serbian Hockey League, the top level of ice hockey in Serbia. Seven teams participated in the league, and HK Partizan won the championship.


2013–14 Serbian League East
The 2013–14 Serbian League East season was the eleventh season of the league under its current title.


2013–14 Serbian League Vojvodina
Following are the results of the 2013–14 Serbian League Vojvodina season. The Serbian League Vojvodina is a section of the Serbian League, Serbia's third football league. Teams from Vojvodina are in this section of the league. The other sections are Serbian League East, Serbian League West, and Serbian League Belgrade.


2013–14 Serbian SuperLiga
The 2013–14 Serbian SuperLiga (known as the Jelen SuperLiga for sponsorship reasons) was the eighth season of the Serbian SuperLiga since its establishment. The title was won by Red Star Belgrade.


2013–14 Serbian SuperLiga, Teams
A total of 16 teams will contest the league, including 13 sides from the 2012–13 season and two promoted from the 2012–13 Serbian First League, which are the champions FK Napredak Kruševac and second placed FK Čukarički. Few days before the start of the season Hajduk was dissolved, thus leaving an empty spot. 16th club was determined as FK Voždovac, 3rd of Serbian First League in 2012-13 season. At the end of the season, the last two teams will be relegated.


2013–14 Serbian SuperLiga, Teams, Stadiums and locations
All figures for stadiums include seating capacity only, as many stadiums in Serbia have stands without seats which would otherwise depict the actual number of people able to attend football matches not regulated by UEFA or FIFA.


2013–14 Serbian SuperLiga, Teams, Personnel and kits
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players and Managers may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2013–14 Serbian SuperLiga, Transfers
For the list of transfers involving SuperLiga clubs during 2012–13 season, please see: List of Serbian football transfers summer 2013 and List of Serbian football transfers winter 2013-14.


2013–14 Serbian SuperLiga, Results
All clubs play each other twice, once at home and once away. Giving a total of 30 matches to be played per team.


2013–14 Serbian SuperLiga, Play-off
* Metalac refused to play second leg due to severe crowd disturbance in the first leg, caused by Rad fans.


2013–14 Serie A
The 2013–14 Serie A (known as the Serie A TIM for sponsorship reasons) was the 112th season of top-tier Italian football, the 82nd in a round-robin tournament, and the 4th since its organization under a league committee separate from Serie B. The season began on 24 August 2013 and concluded on 18 May 2014. As in previous years, Nike provided the official ball for all matches with a new Nike Incyte model used throughout the season. Juventus were the defending champions, and successfully defended their title to win a third Serie A title in a row.


2013–14 Serie A
A total of 20 teams competed in the league: 17 sides from the 2012–13 season and three promoted from the 2012–13 Serie B campaign. Palermo, Pescara and Siena were each demoted from the top flight. They were replaced by Serie B champion Sassuolo, runner-up Hellas Verona and play-off winner Livorno. Hellas Verona returned to Serie A after an 11-year absence, Livorno after four seasons and this season marked Sassuolo's Serie A debut.


2013–14 Serie A
For the first time in the competition's history, there were five derbies among teams from the same city: Milan (Internazionale and Milan), Turin (Juventus and Torino), Rome (Lazio and Roma), Genoa (Genoa and Sampdoria), and Verona (Chievo and Hellas Verona).


2013–14 Serie A, Teams, Stadiums and locations
1Cagliari is going to play at Stadio Nereo Rocco in Trieste while Stadio Sant'Elia is under renovation. 2Some matches may be played at Stadio Nereo Rocco in Trieste if Stadio Friuli's renovation is not finished.


2013–14 Serie A, League table, Positions by round
The table lists the positions of teams after each week of matches. In order to preserve chronological evolvements, any postponed matches were not included to the round at which they were originally scheduled, but added to the full round they were played immediately afterwards. For example, if a match was scheduled for matchday 29 (Sampdoria–Inter Milan), but then postponed and played between days 30 and 31, it was added to the standings for day 30.


2013–14 Serie A, League table, Positions by round
If there is a color without a number, it means that the team is at least qualified for that round.


2013–14 Serie A (futsal)
The 2013–14 season of the Serie A1 was the 29th season of top-tier futsal in Italy, which began October 5, 2013 and finished on April 18, 2014. At the end of the regular season the top eight teams played in the championship playoffs. The bottom two clubs played in a two-leg playoff to see who was relegated to Serie A2.


2013–14 Serie A (futsal), Relegation Playoff, 2nd leg
Napoli won 16–1 on aggregate and Napoli will remain in Serie A1 for the 2014-2015 season. Marca is relegated to Serie A2.


2013–14 Serie A1 (men's water polo)
The 2013–14 Serie A1 is the 95th season of the Serie A1, Italy's premier Water polo league.


2013–14 Serie A1 (men's water polo), Team information
The following 12 clubs compete in the Serie A1 during the 2013–14 season:


2013–14 Serie A1 (men's water polo), Regular season, Standings
Pld - Played; W - Won; L - Lost; PF - Points for; PA - Points against; Diff - Difference; Pts - Points.


2013–14 Serie B
The 2013–14 Serie B (known as the Serie B Eurobet for sponsorship reasons) was the 82nd season since its establishment in 1929. A total of 22 teams contested the league: 15 of which were returning from the 2012–13 season, 4 of which  were promoted from Lega Pro Prima Divisione, and three relegated from Serie A.


2013–14 Serie B
The league features three clubs relegated from Serie A: Pescara returned after a one-year stint, Siena after two seasons, and Palermo after nine seasons.


2013–14 Serie B
Four teams were promoted from Lega Pro Prima Divisione, with only two certain as of May 2013: Avellino, after four seasons, and Trapani, which will make their debut in the league. On 16 June, the winners of the Lega Pro Prima Divisione play-off finals were determined as two newcomers: Carpi and Latina.


2013–14 Serie B, Changes from last season, Playoff format
A new playoff format changes the number of playoff participants from four (third through sixth place) to a variable-size playoff including up to six teams (third through eighth place). Qualifying teams must finish the season within a "playoff margin" of 14 points from the third place team. Similar to previous seasons, if the third-place team finishes 10 or more points above the fourth place team, no playoffs will be held.


2013–14 Serie B, Changes from last season, Playoff format
The following formats will be used for playoffs consisting of two to six teams:


2013–14 Serie B, Changes from last season, Playoff format
Semifinals and finals are two-legged ties, while opening round matches are single legs hosted by the higher-ranked team.


2013–14 Serie B, Playoffs, Promotion playoffs
Starting from this season, six teams played in the promotion playoffs instead of four. A preliminary one-legged round, played at the home venue of the best placed one, involved the teams from 5th to 8th place. The two winning teams then play against 3rd of 4th-placed teams in a two-legged semifinal. The higher placed team plays the second leg of the promotion playoff at home. If scores are tied after both games in the semifinals the higher placed team progresses to the final. The same conditions apply to the final except for there being extra time played if scores are tied after both games, the higher placed team will be promoted if scores are still level at the end of this period.


2013–14 Serie B, Playoffs, Relegation play-out
In case of an aggregate tie, the best placed team wins.


2013–14 Serie D
The 2013–14 Serie D was the sixty-sixth edition of the top level Italian non-professional football championship. It represented the fourth tier in the Italian football league system.


2013–14 Serie D
It consisted of 161 teams, after the exclusion of Nardò and including the retired Ragusa and Bojano. It was divided into eight 18-team divisions and a 17-team division.


2013–14 Serie D, Promotions
The nine division winners are automatically promoted to the new 2014–15 Serie C.


2013–14 Serie D, Playoffs
Teams placed second through fifth in each division enter a playoff tournament, after the regular season, where the nine winners will compete among themselves with the best semifinalist and the finalist of Coppa Italia Serie D to determine three of the four semi-finalists. The fourth is the winner of Coppa Italia Serie D. The winner could receive a professional licence in event of bankruptcy of a Serie C club.


2013–14 Serie D, Relegations
The two last-placed teams (17th and 18th) and the last (17th) in the Girone H, with the 16th if the 13th place is more of 8 points ahead of it and the 15th if the 14th place is more of 8 points ahead of this, are directly relegated. Otherwise the teams ranked 13th to 16th play a two-legged tie-breaker (13th vs 16th, and 14th vs 15th).


2013–14 Serie D, Scudetto Serie D
The nine division winners enter a tournament to determine the over-all Serie D champion and is awarded the Scudetto Serie D.


2013–14 Serie D, Events, Start of season
Given a normal season where there are no team failures and special promotions, Serie D would feature 9 teams that had been relegated from Seconda Divisione, 36 teams that had been promoted from Eccellenza, and 123 teams that had played in Serie D the year before.


2013–14 Serie D, Events, Start of season
Due to sixteen bankruptcies and exclusions, the 2013–14 season is to feature 5 teams that played in the 2012–13 Seconda Divisione season, 43 teams that played in the 2011–12 Eccellenza season and 115 teams that played in 2012–13 Serie D.


2013–14 Serie D, Events, Start of season
The league further admitted sixteen teams from Eccellenza to fill the vacancies created. These teams are:


2013–14 Serie D, Scudetto Dilettanti, Semi-finals
Each game was played in one leg on 29 May 2014 on neutral grounds. They were extended to penalty kicks without playing extra time.


2013–14 Serie D, Scudetto Dilettanti, Final
One leg final was played on 31 May 2014 on neutral ground.


2013–14 Serie D, Promotion play-off
Promotion playoffs involved a total of 33 teams; four from Serie D divisions A-B-H (teams placed from 2nd through to 5th) and three from divisions C-G and I (teams placed 2nd to 4th), with the best semifinalist, the finalist and the winner of Coppa Italia Serie D that are directly respectively admitted to the third, fourth round and the Semi-final.


2013–14 Seton Hall Pirates men's basketball team
The 2013–14 Seton Hall Pirates men's basketball team represented Seton Hall University during the 2013–14 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Pirates, led by fourth head coach Kevin Willard, played its home games in Newark, New Jersey at the Prudential Center and are members of the newly reorganized Big East Conference. They finished the season 17–17, 6–12 in Big East play to finish in eighth place. They advanced to the semifinals of the Big East Tournament where they lost to Providence.


2013–14 Sevilla FC season
The 2013–14 Spanish football season was Sevilla Fútbol Club's 13th consecutive season in La Liga.


2013–14 Sevilla FC season, First team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2013–14 Sheffield Shield season
The 2013–14 Sheffield Shield season was the 112th season of the Sheffield Shield, the domestic first-class cricket competition of Australia. It was held after the conclusion of the Ryobi One-Day Cup and included a break halfway through for the entirety of the Big Bash League. As a part of Cricket Australia's campaign for day/night Tests, it included three day/night matches, played with the pink ball. The separation of the tournaments meant that players in the national Test squad only played two or three Shield matches before the first Test of the 2013–14 Ashes series.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season
Sheffield United Football Club participated in League One, the third level of English football, during the 2013–14 season, after losing in the previous season's play-off semi final. The club appointed a new manager, former Scotland international David Weir, saw a new co-owner arrive in the form of Prince Abdullah bin Musa'ed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and signed an influx of new players during the summer transfer window. Despite this the team saw a very poor start to the season, winning only one of their opening thirteen fixtures.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season
This run of results saw David Weir depart the club to be replaced by former England International and former Derby County manager Nigel Clough. Despite beginning to improve performances on the pitch, United remained in relegation trouble into January, but then embarked on a lengthy run of form that would eventually see them finish in seventh in the table. Having been knocked out in the early rounds of both the League Cup and League Trophy, United enjoyed a lengthy run in the FA Cup, eventually reaching the competitions semi-final where they were narrowly beaten by Hull City.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Background
United had spent the previous season challenging for promotion from League One under manager Danny Wilson. Despite spending much of the season in the automatic promotion positions, the team's home form was poor, winning only nine games all season. With results declining, United sacked manager Wilson in April, replacing him with coach Chris Morgan but this wasn't enough to change their fortunes and the side finished the season fifth. United met Yeovil Town in the play-offs semi-final but lost 2–1 on aggregate and were consigned to spend a third consecutive season in League One.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Kit and sponsors
At the end of July, United unveiled new home and away kits for the following season. Produced by Macron, the home kit maintained the clubs traditional red and white stripes, albeit with the addition of a solid red panel across the shoulders and neck. The away kit was a complete change from previous seasons, consisting of an all yellow shirt with green trim plus green socks and shorts. The club also announced that the home kit would be sponsored by Spanish video game developer VSports, and the away kit would bear the logo of Chinese real estate company Top Spring.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Kit and sponsors
The following day the club also announced a new secondary shirt sponsor, with the logo for video game Football Manager appearing on the back of both the home and away shirts for the following season. In September United announced a secondary sponsor, with mobile phone distributor Shebang's logo appearing on the shorts of both the home and away kit.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, The hunt for a new manager
Sheffield United started the close season without a permanent manager, with caretaker manager Chris Morgan looking after the position whilst a fixed term manager was appointed. Morgan had admitted that he wanted the job permanently, but the club opted to invite applications from experienced candidates. Meanwhile, the club restructured the football club board, with former chief executive Julian Winter returning to the role only a year after quitting the position.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, The hunt for a new manager
The process to find a new manager proved to be a lengthy one with many managers and coaches being linked to the vacant position including interim manager Chris Morgan, Paul Dickov Rob Page, Gareth Southgate, Russell Slade, Michael Appleton, Kenny Jackett, and Keith Curle. Graham Arnold of Central Coast Mariners, Stuart McCall of Motherwell and Karl Robinson of MK Dons all rejected approaches from Sheffield United. By the start of June Everton reserve team coach David Weir emerged as the clear favourite for the job, and was duly appointed on 10 June, signing a three-year deal.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, Preseason
Unlike the previous three years, Sheffield United opted not to undertake a pre-season tour of Malta; instead preferring a short trip to Scotland for three matches, before returning to England for a trio of friendlies against League Two sides. At the start of June Barry Robson agreed a deal with Scottish Premier League club Aberdeen, signalling his departure from Bramall Lane. Later that week youth Team coach and former assistant manager, David Unsworth, was given permission by United to speak with Kilmarnock about their vacant managerial position, but rejected the approach.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, Preseason
With Barry Robson having already left the club, United subsequently announced their retained list, and signalled the departure of Danny Coyne, Matthew Harriott, Lecsinel Jean-François and Dave Kitson. However they also indicated that Aaron Barry, Jordan Chapell, Danny Higginbotham, Jordan Hodder, Terry Kennedy, Callum McFadzean, Jahmal Smith and Elliott Whitehouse had all taken the option to have their contracts extended. Manager David Weir began to pull together his back-room team by appointing former Rangers fitness coach Adam Owen to the position of "Assistant Manager – Performance" on 21 June. A few days later United unveiled their first signings of the close season; Stephen McGinn from Watford, Sean McGinty from Manchester United and Febian Brandy from Walsall all on two-year deals; whilst Jasper Johns was signed from Everton signed a one-year deal.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, Preseason
At the start of July Weir added to his backroom staff by appointing former Everton team mate Lee Carsley to the position of "Assistant Manager – Technical". United opened their tour of Scotland with a 1–0 win over Greenock Morton thanks to a goal from Chris Porter, before a second Porter goal in as many games helped United to a 1–1 draw with Cowdenbeath a few days later. Despite the club having only recently extended his contract, Jordan Chapell was joined Torquay United on a free transfer on 9 July, agreeing a 2-year deal with the south coast club.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, Preseason
United then completed their Scotland tour with a 2–1 victory over Raith Rovers. Returning south of the border, United next faced and away trip to Bury where they had to come from behind to register a 3–1 victory at Gigg Lane. The following week Richard Cresswell was allowed to leave on a free transfer, signing a one-year deal with York City, followed by United signing Falkirk striker Lyle Taylor for an undisclosed fee.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, Preseason
Taylor made his first appearance for United in a friendly at Mansfield Town the following weekend, helping the Blades to a 1–0 victory thanks to a goal from Fabien Brandy. On 22 July United continued to revamp their squad by signing Conor Coady on a six-month loan from Liverpool, before a strong United side headed to Alfreton Town the same evening, registering a 1–0 victory.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, Preseason
United completed their pre-season fixture list with two games in quick succession, holding Greek Superleague side Atromitos to a 2–2 draw at Bramall Lane on 26 July, and then registering a 1–1 draw with York City less than 24 hours later. With the pre-season schedule completed David Weir confirmed that Michael Doyle would remain as Captain for the upcoming season.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, August and September: The Prince of Bramall Lane
On the eve of the new season, coach and former assistant manager David Unsworth left the club, and later the same day Irish youngster Aaron Barry was allowed to join Scottish Championship club Dumbarton on loan until the end of January to gain first team experience. In celebration of The Football League's 125 anniversary, United featured in a televised opening fixture against Notts County in recognition of County being the oldest league club in the world, while Bramall Lane is the oldest football ground in the world.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, August and September: The Prince of Bramall Lane
With Febian Brandy, Conor Coady, Stephen McGinn and Lyle Taylor all making their débuts, United triumphed 2–1 in the midst of a thunderstorm. In the next match United were knocked out in the first round of the League Cup by Burton Albion almost a year ago to the day to exactly the same fixture and outcome to the previous season.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, August and September: The Prince of Bramall Lane
On 8 August George Long was called up to the England U21 team for a friendly match against Scotland U21s, and on the same day, Erik Tønne was recalled from his loan at HamKam so that he could sign for Sandnes Ulf on a permanent basis, ending his career with United. United's preparations for their next league game, away to Brentford were disrupted when Wolverhampton Wanderers had a bid accepted for midfielder Kevin McDonald, having triggered a release clause in his contract.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, August and September: The Prince of Bramall Lane
United lost the subsequent fixture 3–1, and after lengthy negotiations, McDonald finally departed for an undisclosed fee on 14 August. The following day, Jamie McDonagh fractured his leg in two places whilst on international duty for Northern Ireland U19s, requiring acute surgery. Back in the league United were held to a 1–1 draw by Colchester United at Bramall Lane, followed by a 2–0 reverse at Bradford City.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, August and September: The Prince of Bramall Lane
On 29 August Danny Higginbotham joined Chester after falling out of United's first team reckoning, while later the same day Jose Baxter joined from Oldham Athletic for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal. Baxter made his United debut two days later but was unable to halt the club's poor form as they lost 1–0 to Milton Keynes Dons.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, August and September: The Prince of Bramall Lane
On the final day of the transfer window, United brought in young Belgian midfielder Florent Cuvelier from Stoke City on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee and centre-forward Harry Bunn on a one-month loan deal from Manchester City.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, August and September: The Prince of Bramall Lane
The following day the club announced that Saudi Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad Al Saud, of the royal House of Saud and former President of Al-Hilal FC, had bought a 50% stake in United's parent company 'Blades Leisure Ltd' for the fee of £1 with the promise of providing "substantial new capital" with the aim of returning the Blades to the Premier League as "quickly as possible".


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, August and September: The Prince of Bramall Lane
The same evening, United reached the second round of the Football League Trophy, despite failing to score for the third game in succession, winning a penalty shoot out over Scunthorpe United after the game had finished 0–0. Back in league action United were again the losing side as they were beaten 3–1 by near neighbours Rotherham United. Later that week, youngster Elliott Whitehouse was allowed to join York City on a month's loan to gain first team experience, before United's poor form continued as they slipped to a 1–0 defeat away at Carlisle United.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, August and September: The Prince of Bramall Lane
With the side still struggling to score goals, United reached an agreement to bring in free agent Marlon King until the end of the season, quickly followed by winger Ryan Hall, who joined the Blades on a one-month loan from Leeds United. King and Hall both made their United debuts in the following game, a home fixture against Preston North End, but the Blades poor form continued as they fell to a 1–0 loss, their fifth consecutive defeat in the league and Preston's first victory at Bramall Lane since 1978. United ended the month with another defeat, this time a 2–0 away loss to Wolves.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, October and November: Weir Out, Clough In
October began with the arrival of defender Simon Lappin who signed on a 28-day loan from Cardiff City on 4 October, while Chris Porter was allowed to leave in a similar deal for a spell with Chesterfield, and young striker Harry Bunn extended his own loan spell with the Blades for a further month. Lappin made his debut that same night as United scored their first goal in nearly seven hours of football, when Marlon King netted to earn a 1–1 home draw with Crawley Town.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, October and November: Weir Out, Clough In
Another loss followed, this time to League Two Hartlepool United in the Football League Trophy, a match during which David Weir was barracked by the home support. This was to prove Weir's last game in charge as he was sacked three days later. With the club's Under-21s coach Chris Morgan in temporary charge once more, United dropped to the bottom of the League One table as they were defeated 3–2 by Coventry City.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, October and November: Weir Out, Clough In
With United still to appoint a permanent successor to David Weir, Mick Wadsworth was appointed as first team coach on a temporary basis to support Chris Morgan, and the pair guided United to only their second win of the season as they beat Port Vale 2–1 at Bramall Lane. Ryan Hall returned to Leeds United, only to be immediately suspended by his parent club for a breach of discipline, while Morgan and Wadsworth remained in charge as United held Peterborough United to a mid-week 0–0 draw at their London Road Stadium.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, October and November: Weir Out, Clough In
This was to prove Morgan's last game in charge of the Blades as former Derby County manager Nigel Clough was appointed as David Weir's permanent successor on 23 October 2013. Clough's tenure got off to a winning start as his new charges comfortably beat Crewe Alexandra 3–1 at Bramall Lane, before Clough made his first signing for the Blades a few days later, with Leeds United defender Aidan White joining on loan until New Year's Day.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, October and November: Weir Out, Clough In
Clough's second game in charge proved less satisfactory, with Febian Brandy being sent off only twelve minutes after coming on as a substitute and United slumping to a 2–0 defeat at Shrewsbury Town on 2 November. With his loan spell due to expire, United agreed a further deal to keep Simon Lappin at the club until January. The first round of the FA Cup saw the Blades progressed after a 3–2 victory over Colchester United, before Joe Ironside was allowed to join Halifax Town on loan until 5 January.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, October and November: Weir Out, Clough In
Back in league action United suffered another home defeat, this time at the hands of Gillingham who ran out 2–1 winners. Callum McFadzean was allowed to join Chesterfield on loan until 3 January, before United registered their first away win since March, defeating fellow strugglers Bristol City 1–0 thanks to an own goal. United's followed this up with a 1–1 draw in a midweek home fixture against Walsall. With the loan window about to close Darryl Westlake was loaned to Mansfield Town, Marcus Williams joined Scunthorpe United, and Harry Bunn returned to Manchester City. United rounded off November with a 1–1 draw at Leyton Orient thanks to Conor Coady's first goal in senior football.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, December and January: Cup progress
December started with the Blades progressing to the third round of the FA Cup with a 2–0 away win over Cambridge United thanks to goals from Jose Baxter and Jamie Murphy. With the academy leagues entering their winter breaks, United allowed a number of their academy prospects to undertake loans to local non-league sides over the Christmas period. In their next match, United recorded a 1–0 home victory against Swindon Town with Jose Baxter scoring his second goal in as many games.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, December and January: Cup progress
The club then announced further restructuring off the field, with Julian Winter leaving his position as chief executive, before being held to a draw on the field, in an away encounter with Stevenage. United entertained Oldham Athletic on Boxing Day and had to come from behind to register a 1–1 draw, before finishing the year with a 3–1 home victory over Tranmere Rovers.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, December and January: Cup progress
With the winter transfer window due to open, United opted to allow striker Lyle Taylor to join Scottish Premiership side Partick Thistle for the remainder of the season. Taylor was quickly followed by fellow striker Marlon King whose short-term contract was terminated at the end of the year. Youngster Jahmal Smith joined Harrogate Town on a youth loan. Having picked up an injury during the game against Oldham, Aidan White cut short his loan spell to return to Leeds for treatment.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, December and January: Cup progress
United's unbeaten run did not last into the new year, as despite leading 1–0 at half time, they were beaten 2–1 away at Walsall. As January began Aaron Barry returned from a successful loan spell at Dumbarton having played over 20 times for the Sons, before United knocked Premiership side Aston Villa out of the FA Cup following a 2–1 third round at Villa Park.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, December and January: Cup progress
The following week saw a flurry of arrivals and departures as Elliott Whitehouse returned from his loan spell at York City, whilst Joe Ironside returned from Halifax Town, Callum McFadzean returned from Chesterfield and youngster Jahmal Smith joined Harrogate Town on a months loan. Conor Coady then extended his loan with United until the end of February, and Darryl Westlake extended his loan with Mansfield Town until the end of the season. The following day Malachy Brannigan was unveiled as the club's new managing director, reuniting with Nigel Clough, with whom he had worked at Derby County.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, December and January: Cup progress
The week concluded with United signing Billy Paynter on loan for the rest of the season from South Yorkshire rivals Doncaster Rovers, whilst Marcus Williams left permanently for Scunthorpe United on a free transfer, and Sean McGinty joined Northampton Town on a months loan.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, December and January: Cup progress
For the second league fixture in a row United let a lead slip to lose 2–1 at Notts County, and then as Nigel Clough continued to revamp the squad, Febian Brandy was allowed to rejoin Walsall on loan for the remainder of the season, only six months after leaving the West Midlands club, and Florent Cuvelier joined Port Vale for a similar period. In their next match, United drew 2–2 at home with Yorkshire rivals Bradford City despite having held a two-goal lead at half time.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, December and January: Cup progress
24 January saw United make a number of signings, bringing in John Brayford on loan for the remainder of the season from Cardiff City, signing Stefan Scougall from Livingston for an undisclosed fee, and agreeing a loan-swap deal with Blackpool that saw Bob Harris sign for a month with United, with Tony McMahon moving in the opposite direction. In the fifth round of the FA Cup United held Premier League Fulham to a 1–1 draw at Bramall Lane, despite being reduced to ten men for most of the second half following Michael Doyle's red card.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, December and January: Cup progress
On 30 January, McMahon agreed a permanent switch to Blackpool, after the west-coast club decided to take up the remainder of his contract. The following day, in the final hours of the transfer window, United agreed a similar deal with Bob Harris, taking over the remainder of his contract from his former club.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, February and March: Climbing the table
With their scheduled mid-week league fixture called off due to a waterlogged pitch, the Blades next game was an away trip to Crewe Alexandra, where United's poor away form continued with a 3–0 defeat. United claimed another Premier League scalp in the FA Cup, thanks to a goal from Shaun Miller in the final minute of extra time, as the Blades recorded a 1–0 away victory over Fulham in their fourth round replay.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, February and March: Climbing the table
Later that week Sean McGinty returned from his loan at Northampton Town, and Aaron Barry was allowed to leave United, and signed a permanent deal with Derry City in Northern Ireland. The following weekend saw United record a 2–0 home victory over fellow relegation strugglers Shrewsbury Town, marking their first league victory of the calendar year, with new signing Stefan Scougall scoring his first goal for the club.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, February and March: Climbing the table
With the loan window re-opening, Joe Ironside joined Harrogate Town on a months loan, ahead of United's fifth-round FA Cup tie against Nottingham Forest, which saw them progress to the quarter finals after a 3–1 home victory thanks to two goals in two minutes from late substitute Chris Porter. Nigel Clough continued to reshape his squad the following week by bringing in midfielder Ben Davies on loan from his former club Derby County on 19 February, with Davies agreeing to spend the remainder of the season at Bramall Lane.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, February and March: Climbing the table
United finally began to climb the table, moving out of the relegation places, as they recorded back-to-back league wins, beating Gillingham 1–0 away from home, and then registering a comfortable 3–0 victory over Bristol City at Bramall Lane on 22 February. Academy product Jordan Hodder joined Buxton on a one-month youth loan to get some first team experience, and on 25 February Conor Coady had his loan deal extended until the end of the season. Later that evening, the Blades registered a 1–0 away victory over Colchester United, thanks to a late penalty from substitute Chris Porter.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, February and March: Climbing the table
March started in a similar fashion, with a 1–0 away win at MK Dons with Stefan Scougall scoring the only goal. This was followed by a 2–0 home victory over Peterborough United on 4 March with goals from Porter and Davies, his first for the club. Later that week, with a number of the squad having picked up injuries and a busy fixture list ahead, Kieron Freeman joined United on a one-month loan from Derby County to act as defensive cover, before Nigel Clough was named as the League One 'Manager of the Month' the following day.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, February and March: Climbing the table
Returning to FA Cup action, United booked their place in the semi-finals at Wembley Stadium after they beat Charlton Athletic 2–0 at Bramall Lane on 9 March. United played their third home game in a row three days later, and a 1–0 scoreline was enough to condemn Carlisle United to a league defeat, meaning the Blades had registered their tenth straight win in all competitions. United's winning run was halted in the next match however, as they were held to a goalless draw away at Preston North End.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, February and March: Climbing the table
On 21 March Callum McFadzean joined Burton Albion on a one-month loan, while striker Shaun Miller joined Shrewsbury Town a day later, agreeing a loan until the end of the season. United's next league fixture was a gala fixture as the club celebrated 125 years since its formation, although the party was soured as Wolverhampton Wanderers inflicted the club's first defeat in eleven matches, winning 2–0 at Bramall Lane. After Elliott Whitehouse was allowed to join Alfreton Town on loan, United returned to winning ways with a 2–0 away victory over Crawley Town thanks to two goals from Conor Coady. On the deadline for loan deals, Sean McGinty joined Rochdale for the remainder of the season. March's final fixture saw United lose at Swindon Town, with a late goal condemning them to a 2–1 defeat.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, April and May: Wembley yet again but no promotion
April started in controversial fashion as United played out a 0–0 draw with Brentford, as the referee initially sent off loanee Kieron Freeman and gave a penalty for a challenge in the area, only to rescind both decisions a few minutes later after consulting with the referee's assistant. United's next game also ended in a draw as they were held 1–1 at Bramall Lane by Leyton Orient, and with Kieron Freeman's loan deal due to expire, it was extended until the end of the season.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, April and May: Wembley yet again but no promotion
With a visit to Wembley Stadium on the horizon, Blades were 1–0 victors in the South Yorkshire derby against Rotherham United at Bramall Lane on 8 April, despite fielding a largely reserve side, with Ben Davies converting a 90th-minute penalty. United's next fixture was an FA Cup semi-final appearance against Hull City where over 71,000 fans saw United twice take the lead in the first-half, only for them to get pegged back after the break and eventually lose 5–3 to their Premiership rivals.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, April and May: Wembley yet again but no promotion
Back in league action, United then recorded a narrow home victory over bottom places Stevenage, with a single own goal being the difference between the sides. United's next game was an away fixture at Tranmere Rovers where the sides shared the points in a 0–0 draw, followed later the same week with a 2–1 away victory as United came from behind to beat Port Vale. With the season drawing to a close Harry Maguire was named in the PFA League One Team of the Season, before United registered a 1–1 away draw at Oldham Athletic on 29 April.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season overview, April and May: Wembley yet again but no promotion
As the club began to plan for the new season, Ryan Flynn agreed an extended deal, before the Blades rounded off the season with a 2–1 victory over Coventry City at Bramall Lane to end the season seventh in the table. Later in May, manager Nigel Clough was named FA Cup Manager of the Season by the League Managers Association in recognition of United's run to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Squad, Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Squad, Left before the end of the season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season firsts, Player début
Players making their first team Sheffield United début in a fully competitive match.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season firsts, Début goal
Players scoring their first goal for Sheffield United in a competitive fixture.


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Season firsts, Stadia
First ever visit to a stadium for a competitive fixture


2013–14 Sheffield United F.C. season, Squad statistics, Top scorers
United also benefited from three own goals, one in the Football League and one in the FA Cup.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season
During the 2013–14 football season, Sheffield Wednesday Football Club competed in three professional football competitions. Sheffield Wednesday competed in the 2013–14 Football League Championship, 2013–14 FA Cup, and the 2013–14 Football League Cup. It was the Owls' second consecutive season in the Football League Championship having secured promotion from League One in the 2011–12 season and then securing Championship safety on the last day of the 2012–13 season. The Football League season kicked-off at the beginning of August, along with the League Cup in the same month. Meanwhile, with Sheffield Wednesday being within the top two-tiers of the English football league system the club did not enter the FA Cup until the beginning of January 2014 where they entered at Round 3 of the competition.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, Pre-season
Following the end of the 2012–13 football league season, Jérémy Hélan, Danny Pugh, Seyi Olofinjana, Leroy Lita and Steve Howard all returned to their parent clubs following their loans at Sheffield Wednesday. Many players were out of contract in the summer of 2013 and therefore many decisions had to be made on players' futures at the club within May and June. The first transfer of the new pre-season was confirmed just a few days after the end of the 2012–13 football season as development squad player Bastien Héry signed for Rochdale.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, Pre-season
Sheffield Wednesday youth players Ayo Obileye, Emmanuel Dieseruvwe and Johnny Fenwick soon all signed their first professional contracts with the club, all lasting one-year. On 16 May 2013, the club announced their retained list, with Player of the Year Lewis Buxton, Stephen Bywater, Giles Coke, Jermaine Johnson, Miguel Llera and David Prutton being the senior players to re-sign, while Adam Hinchliffe and Hayden White (who was rumoured to be signing for Bolton Wanderers) were offered their first professional contract. Nicky Weaver and Julian Bennett were released along with youth players Matthew Fletcher and Harry Grant.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, Pre-season
Also, out-of-favour midfielder Nejc Pečnik left by mutual consent. On 19 June 2013, the first transfer in relation to Sheffield Wednesday was revealed, with Chris O'Grady joining Yorkshire rivals Barnsley for an undisclosed fee, rumoured to be around £300,000. The week after the O'Grady departure, two players had decided whether their futures still lay with Sheffield Wednesday. Promising youth player Hayden White rejected an offer to sign with the team and went with Bolton Wanderers.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, Pre-season
White had been heavily followed the previous season with his impressive performances for the Owls' youth team and was linked with a possible move to Manchester United at one point. Elsewhere, senior player Stephen Bywater had also rejected signing and went with Millwall on a free transfer for a two-year contract. Bywater played a major part in the side's promotion in the 2011–12 season where he was signed permanently in January of that season. A day after these departures it was confirmed that David Prutton had signed to stay for the next season.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, Pre-season
Prutton is the second senior player to re-sign after Lewis Buxton signed later that month. 24-hours after Prutton's contract confirmation, Sheffield Wednesday's first signing of the season was confirmed. The signing was Jacques Maghoma from Burton Albion. He has signed a two-year contract after scoring 18 goals in League Two last season from the wing. Another player committed his future at Sheffield Wednesday on 27 June when Miguel Llera signed a new one-year contract at the club, having been a key player in defence over the last two-seasons.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, Pre-season
Another senior player yet to confirm where his future lay was Giles Coke, but he also chose to commit his future to Wednesday by signing a two-year contract at the club a day after Llera had signed his. Into July and nearly a week after Coke signed with the team, Jermaine Johnson was the last remaining senior player to be offered a contract that he signed to stay for the following season.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, Pre-season
He is one of the longest playing team players having made over 200 appearances having since joined the club in 2007 Later that day, it was confirmed that the club's midfielder Chris Lines had left by mutual consent. Lines was signed in the summer of 2011 and in the 2011–12 season he made the majority of his 53 appearances and scored all of his 4 goals.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, Pre-season
Sheffield Wednesday's first pre-season fixtures were announced on 15 May; the club confirmed that the first pre-season game would be away to Scunthorpe United on 13 July and then the side would, like the previous season, play two pre-season fixtures in Portugal, this time against Hull City in the second game in Portugal on 20 July, while the first game in the country was later confirmed to be Sporting Braga on 16 June 2013. A day later Chesterfield were confirmed to be friendly opponents on 27 July at their ground.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, Pre-season
Scottish giants Rangers was confirmed at the end of May to be the only pre-season friendly that will be at home, with the game due to take place mid-week on 24 July. The Owls played in their first pre-season friendly on 6 July 2013 with a "behind-closed-doors" friendly. The game was hosted at St George's Park National Football Centre, where the team played Romanian first-tier champions Steaua București. It ended in a 1–1 draw with goals either side of the half with Miguel Llera scoring for Wednesday in the second-half.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, Pre-season
Tuesday, 9 July saw Sheffield Wednesday play in a friendly-testimonial game against Stockport County. The game was a testimonial for Rodger Wylde, whose first club was Sheffield Wednesday and his last Stockport County, between his career spanning 1972–1989. Wednesday took the lead within 43 seconds when Michail Antonio scored for the Owls, Martin Taylor scored after 12-minutes and the game was wrapped up when Chris Maguire scored a penalty at the stroke of half-time.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, Pre-season
There were no further goals in the game but ex-Wednesday players Chris Waddle and David Hirst made appearances in the last 15 minutes of the game for the Owls. Three days after this game, one of last season's loanees signed on a permanent-basis: Jérémy Hélan signed on a four-year contract, making it the longest current contract at the club. The weekend after Hélan's signing, Sheffield Wednesday faced Scunthorpe United away in a friendly. It was a first-half strike by new signing Hélan that gave the Owls a 1–0 victory in this pre-season friendly.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, Pre-season
Similarly to last season's pre-season Sheffield Wednesday flew to a training camp in Portugal, where they would play two games in just under a week. The first game was against top Portuguese side Sporting Braga, whom although were trailing by one goal thanks to a Martin Taylor's header after nineteen minutes, scored twice in the last five-minutes of the first half and then also scored in the second to win the game 3–1. Although it was Sheffield Wednesday's first loss of their pre-season it was still seen as a good workout.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, Pre-season
Wednesday's second and last game in Portugal was against newly promoted Hull City, the game was fairly even and the Owls's best chance fell after great work by Michail Antonio in the middle of the park led to a pass threading through to Jérémy Hélan, who rounded the goalkeeper and had his shot cleared off the line. Meanwhile, Hull's best chance was when they scored, though the goal was disallowed for offside. Another pre-season workout was completed, but this time finished in a goalless draw.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, Pre-season
Sheffield Wednesday returned from their trip to Portugal in the week commencing 22 July, where they prepared for their final two pre-season friendlies against Rangers and Chesterfield. The Rangers game was the only home friendly of pre-season for the Owls and Rangers brought 6,000 fans to the game, selling out the away stand at Hillsborough Stadium, just for a friendly match. Although the away support was as if the game was a competitive fixture, the match was still played like a friendly.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, Pre-season
Both sides were fairly evenly matched and when Wednesday got a corner on 12-minutes Michail Antonio's shot bounced off the ground a looped into the goal to give Sheffield Wednesday the lead. And that was the only goal of the game, giving Sheffield Wednesday their third win of pre-season. Under 24-hours after the Rangers game and Sheffield Wednesday signed their third player of the new season, European striker Atdhe Nuhiu. Nuhiu has played in the top-league of Austria for the most of his career and signed on a three-year contract on a free transfer from Rapid Wien.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, Pre-season
Two-days later and Nuhiu played in Sheffield Wednesday's final pre-season fixture, this being away to Chesterfield. Although the Owls dominated the first half, it was Chesterfield who were leading at half-time thanks to a goal from Hamza Bencherif on 29 minutes. Wednesday deservedly equalised though late in the second-half with just two-minutes of normal time as Chris Maguire scored from 20-yards. Sheffield Wednesday's pre-season was over after seven pre-season friendlies in preparation for the upcoming season, with the first game a week away against Queens Park Rangers.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
On the day before the first game of the season, Sheffield Wednesday signed central defender Kamil Zayatte on a free transfer on a two-year-long contract. Zayatte had been on trial with the Owls throughout pre-season and impressed enough to earn himself a deal. Later on that same day and Wednesday winger Danny Mayor went out on loan to League Two side Bury for the entire season.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
On Saturday 3 August, the first day of the season, Sheffield Wednesday couldn't really ask for harder opponents on the first day with Queens Park Rangers being favourites for promotion and having a high quality in-depth squad with most players being used to playing in the Premier League. Manager Dave Jones gave débuts to new signings Kamil Zayatte and Atdhe Nuhiu, who both had just managed to gain international clearance before the game.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
The game kicked off at Loftus Road in front of a full house and Rangers were soon on the upper hand with Andrew Johnson having an effort from distance just go wide and volley well saved as well. Once the game settled down, Wednesday got their fair share of chances with Atdhe Nuhiu's volley and shot inside the box being saved and going wide respectively.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
Then on nineteen-minutes Nuhiu wiggled his way out of two defenders' challenges cut inside and hit a shot that sailed into the bottom corner, giving the Owls the lead and a début goal for the 6-foot 6-inch striker Atdhe Nuhiu. Although the game continued to be evenly matched, Rangers were the ones who were creating the chances. Junior Hoilett got his shot over the bar from close range and then Bobby Zamora was denied by a save from Chris Kirkland.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
Soon after, a long ball by David Prutton over the top sent Michail Antonio through on goal, who was clipped from behind by the opposing defender in the box, but the referee waved away the penalty claims. If a penalty had been given, it would surely have been a red card as well as the opposing defender was the last man.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
Two minutes later when QPR gained a corner and took it quickly, Sheffield Wednesday were asleep and not aware of the danger, Junior Hoilett cut inside, took a shot that was going wide until the ball was passed into the net by Nedum Onuoha to put the game level. After the goal Queens Park Rangers had the momentum and the Owls were just looking to hang on for five minutes until half-time. However, three minutes later a Joey Barton header was saved by Kirkland and the rebound was volleyed in by Andrew Johnson, and the Owls were behind.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
Dave Jones was very frustrated at half-time, and in the second half, Hoilett continued to run riot and had another opportunity excellently saved by Chris Kirkland. Soon after, Jermaine Johnson and Michail Antonio found themselves two-on-one when the Owls pounced on the counter-attack, and when the ball was slid to Antonio with the goal gaping at his mercy he hit the ball over the bar. Then substitute Jacques Maghoma (also making his début) was taken down in the box by Joey Barton (who had just been booked), the referee stopped play but only to book Maghoma for diving. Replays revealed that the penalty should have been given with Barton being sent off in a result of this. Then to add to Maghoma and Wednesday's woes, he went on to hit the post. The first game of the season ended in a 2–1 loss against the promotion favourites.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
With hours to go before the League Cup, Round 1 fixture against local rivals Rotherham United kicked off and it was confirmed that Portuguese left-back Rafael Floro had signed for the club having spent all pre-season impressing while playing for the Owls. Rafael Floro is yet to play in a professional competitive fixture, although is likely to make an appearance on the day of his signing for the club, with Wednesday currently without any full-backs due to injury. And Floro did make his first career appearance hours later as he was one of three changes for the League Cup clash.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
The game was delayed by 15 minutes due to crowd congestion, but when the game did kick-off it was all Rotherham United who were taking the game to the Owls. And when a long throw-in was launched into the box, it bounced all the way to the other side of the box where Rotherham midfielder Ben Pringle volleyed into the far top corner of the net.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
Rotherham United continued to be the better side but soon after when Wednesday got a  free-kick 35 yards out, Rhys McCabe stepped up, and with the help of a small deflection, hit the ball into the far corner of the net to put the game level again.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
Although the game did even out slightly after this, it was still Rotherham United who played as the better side and when another long thrown-in was cleared just to the outside of the box, it was Lee Frecklington who managed to find some space and strike the ball from distance into the net and Rotherham were in front again. Into the second half and chances were few and far, but the main talking point was when Wednesday substitute Jermaine Johnson lost his cool and head-butted an opposition player in an off-the-ball incident.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
The officials were aware of this and Jermaine Johnson got a straight red-card, earning himself a three-match suspension on top of the already many injuries to the side. That was the last main piece of action and it was Rotherham United who went through to the next round, while earning themselves 'bragging rights' with Sheffield Wednesday losing and falling at the first hurdle of the competition. The weekend following the League Cup defeat and Sheffield Wednesday faced Burnley in the first home game of the season.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
Further injuries had hit the squad by the game, stretching the squad to its limit. The first opportunity of the game was when a shot was deflected into a cross and went into Sam Vokes's path, but he was unable to convert due to a good Chris Kirkland save. As Wednesday got into the game it was them who had more of the chances, with Jérémy Hélan's shot from distance just going wide and Jacques Maghoma's accurate free-kick being well-saved by the opposition goalkeeper.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
Also another chance was when Michail Antonio's cross fell to David Prutton whose shot hit the side netting. Maghoma's clever cross was nearly deflected to an own goal, but when Burnley broke on the Owls, a cross was failed to be closed down by new-boy and youngster Rafael Floro and unfortunately the cross fell to Danny Ings who headed home comfortably to give Burnley the lead. Then just five-minutes later near enough exactly the same thing happened: Floro failed to close down the cross and Sam Vokes headed pass the keeper to put Burnley two in front.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
Wednesday had been the better side in the first-half but poor defending had led to them being 2–0 down. Sheffield Wednesday came out fighting in the second half and Atdhe Nuhiu's header seemed destined for the far top-corner but span just wide. Nuhiu then had another head well saved and the follow up by Antonio was also blocked. With around 20-minutes to go and the Owls got what they deserved, a goal. Liam Palmer's first time cross met the head of Prutton to pull a goal back for Wednesday. Youngster Caolan Lavery came off the bench for his début for the club, but was unable to help his side equalise and Sheffield Wednesday fell to another frustrating 2–1 loss.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
The next game in Wednesday's fixture list was against local rivals Leeds United, just three weeks in to the new season. The game was live on all television's across the United Kingdom with Sky Sports promoting the first weekend of the new Premier League season by showing all Sky Sports football programmes on Sky 2 for Sky and Virgin customers and Pick TV for all Freeview customers. The game saw comebacks from first-team full-backs Lewis Buxton and Réda Johnson (who eventually came off the bench in the second-half).


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
At 12:15, the game kicked off and it started fairly evenly and the first chance of the game came for Sheffield Wednesday. When a corner was curled into the box Atdhe Nuhiu's header was stopped just on the line by the keeper. However, Leeds almost capitalised when Jérémy Hélan lost the ball just outside his own area, but David Prutton came sliding in to stop a Leeds player from striking the ball in a very good position.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
With just under ten-minutes to go until half-time and the Owls won another corner, this was whipped in to the far post by Hélan, where Michail Antonio headed the ball across goal to see Kamil Zayatte loop a header into the net, scoring his first goal for the club and giving the Owls the lead. Sheffield Wednesday continued to trouble Leeds from corner's but the home team managed to hang on until half-time.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
Into the second half and Leeds United came out looking for an equaliser and on the 58th-minute Ross McCormack picked up the ball just passed the half-way line in the Owls' half, ran at the defence, fooled Zayatte as he ran round him with the ball going the other way and slotted the ball past the on-rushing Chris Kirkland. A great goal saw the game level at 1–1 again (similarly to the last two encounters, although Leeds went on to win the last 2–1).


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
The game continued to be a tight and scrappy Yorkshire derby, but Antonio's solo effort and shot nearly gave Wednesday the lead if it wasn't for a good save by the opposition goalkeeper and ex-Sheffield United player Paddy Kenny.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
Sheffield Wednesday continued to create the better chances though and a long throw-in by Antonio was flicked on by Zayatte where Jacques Maghoma swivelled and took the shot on which was blocked by two Leeds players (one of which blocked partially with an arm but was too close to the ball for a penalty to be given) and bounced in front of goal line where several players launched themselves in to get a foot on the ball, but it was a Leeds United players' foot that got the ball away. That was the last main piece of action of the game and it ended all square at Elland Road, giving Sheffield Wednesday their first point of the season.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
A day before Sheffield Wednesday's second home fixture of the season against Millwall, the Owls signed young Swiss striker Andelko Savić from Italian side Sampdoria on a season-long loan. Savić will most likely feature in the team's Development Squad for at least the first half of the season. 24-hours later and the home game against Millwall had just kicked off, with Millwall quite bizarrely having to wear Wednesday's away kit for the first-half having forgotten their own.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
Millwall without even a point so far this season got off to a great start just five-minutes into the game, soon after Chris Kirkland had already had to make one great stop, he failed to make another as a cross hit Owls' player Kamil Zayatte 2-yards out and bounced into the net, scoring his second goal in two games, however this one was unfortunately in his own net.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
Their lead didn't last long though, not even 2 minutes as a long ball from a free-kick was sent in by Lewis Buxton and was fumbled by the opposition goalkeeper, then failed to be cleared and Réda Johnson jumped highest to head home and put the scores level again. Then fifteen-minutes later good work by Atdhe Nuhiu saw Jérémy Hélan set himself up for the shot outside the area and coolly finish into the bottom corner, Wednesday were now ahead.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
Into the second half and Réda Johnson scored again; however it was ruled out for a foul on the opposition goalkeeper. Millwall should have equalised when a cross found the free-head of a Millwall striker whose header went wide of the goal. But with three-minutes to go a corner for Millwall was taken and the ball bounced away from the centre of the area, it was chased down by a Millwall player who went down very easily under a challenge by Hélan and this was quite extraordinarily given as a penalty by the referee. To make things worse Millwall scored the penalty and the game ended all square at 2–2, leaving Wednesday very frustrated.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
With the Owls continuing to struggle at the back due to injuries, and Lewis Buxton having been sidelined yet again through injury, West Ham United defender Jordan Spence was signed on a 28-day emergency loan deal and was eligible to play for the game against Middlesbrough that very day.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
He made his début that very day in a game that started with Middlesbrough dominating the first ten-minutes and as Wednesday gradually got into the game it was they who was creating more chances and with ten-minutes to go until half-time a corner swung in to the box and was headed down in front of goalkeeper by Kamil Zayatte but Michail Antonio managed to swing his boot at the ball sending it into the roof of the net giving the Owls the lead. Chris Kirkland was tested on a few occasions before the break but the score remained the same.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, August
Into the second half and Middlesbrough similarly to the first-half started on top and when a Middlesbrough player beat Zayatte to the ball before he could clear it away, it left an open gap for Middlesbrough to cross and Mustapha Carayol to tap in the equaliser. Although the game went on to be relatively even, Middlesbrough nearly doubled their lead when Lukas Jutkiewicz hit the bar with his fierce first-time shot from the edge of the box. The game finished level meaning another draw for Sheffield Wednesday. During the first half of this game, Captain Anthony Gardner had to be stretchered off the pitch, looking to what could be a serious injury, leaving the Owls without another defender and mainly another key player to their team.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, September
Transfer deadline day this year fell on Monday 2 September and Sheffield Wednesday were one of the most inactive teams during the day as they were not involved in any transfers what so ever. The weekend before the international break and Wednesday's worst fears of Anthony Gardner were confirmed as it was revealed that he had torn his Achilles tendon, usually meaning a player will be sidelined for around 5-months.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, September
Dave Jones had already revealed that he planned to bring players in and take players out of the club during the emergency loan window which opened a week after the closure of the transfer window. It had already been known that Sheffield Wednesday will have to let players go out before anyone comes in due to the tight wage budget and finances at the club. Martin Taylor was the first player to go out on loan as he joined Brentford for a month.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, September
Back at Hillsborough Stadium after the international break and Sheffield Wednesday faced newly promoted Yeovil Town, with the Owls looking to gain their first win of the season. Both teams started fairly evenly and it was Yeovil who had the first key chance when they forced Kamil Zayatte into making a goal line clearance.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, September
However, as the Owls continued to push, a long ball over the top, saw the linesman put the offside flag up for Atdhe Nuhiu who seemed to be going for the ball, however the referee didn't blow his whistle as Michail Antonio picked up the ball instead as he was in an on side position, therefore the referee had over-ruled the linesman with the game continuing to go on. Yeovil momentarily paused waiting for the whistle, while Michail Antonio went through on goal and passed the ball square to Atdhe Nuhiu who passed the ball into the net.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, September
A controversial goal followed many Yeovil complaints, with the referee discussing the matter with the linesman and eventually decided to give the goal. Replays after the game showed that the referee had made the correct decision. As Yeovil felt hard done by the contest fell into a scrappy, rough affair with strong challenges going in, mainly from the Yeovil Town players.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, September
And on 41-minutes, just after Nuhiu had a header just miss the back of the net, Yeovil defender Byron Webster was caught in a rough tangle with Nuhiu which led to both players falling to the ground and Byron Webster seeming to throw a punch at Nuhiu while tussling on the ground. Byron Webster saw a straight red card for the incident and the Owls couldn't have gone in much better at half-time.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, September
Into the second half and although it was the Owls in the lead and having the extra man advantage, it was Yeovil who were the better side and somehow pushing for the equaliser. Yeovil Town's Joe Ralls gave his team what they deserved with 25-minutes to go when he took a great first-touch outside the area and finished nicely on the volley into the far corner.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, September
After this both sides gave it their all and Sheffield Wednesday now looked the more likely team to score and the fans thought they was about to do just that as a cross found Antonio who volleyed towards the goal where the opposition goalkeeper saved the shot, but also fumbled it, and as the ball rolled and hit the inside of the post, Nuhiu and Réda Johnson raced to tap the ball home but the keeper pounced upon the loose ball just in the time. Sheffield Wednesday were left with another draw, this one though more disappointing than the others due to the position they were in at half-time and arguably should have gone on to win the game.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, September
A day after the Yeovil result and Wednesday signed Roger Johnson on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers for three-months with the Owls in desperate need of another centre-back. Later on in the week and it was confirmed that ex-Cardiff City midfielder and free-agent Stephen McPhail had signed for the club until mid-January. McPhail went on to start the away game against Birmingham City two-days later. The team and McPhail started the game brightly and although Michail Antonio went close, it was Birmingham's first real attack of the game that led to the first goal.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, September
Chris Burke's shot was saved well but the rebound was tapped in by Jesse Lingard, scoring on his début for Birmingham having joined them on loan from Manchester United earlier on in the week. After this goal and Birmingham had the momentum and dominated, and it wasn't long until they doubled their lead. Again it was new loan signing Lingard whom dribbled and dodged in and out of defender's in the box before slotting home his second of the afternoon. And it was only two-minutes later after this goal when it was game over.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, September
Jesse Lingard shot from outside the area found the bottom corner to complete his hat-trick. 3–0 at half-time and the main objective really for the Owls was not to concede any more. However, Birmingham continued to create chances after the break and just six-minutes into the second-half Burke and Lingard linked up with each other for Jesse Lingard to score yet another goal. Wednesday did create a few chances before the end of the game, one of which they scored, when a corner was whipped in and headed in for a late consolation goal by Kamil Zayatte. After the goal and Shane Ferguson nearly made it 5 when he went through on goal but Chris Kirkland kept the player at bay.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, September
As the Owls prepared for the derby game against Doncaster Rovers, it was confirmed that Matty Fryatt had joined the team on loan from Hull City for 1-month. Fryatt started the following game at Hillsborough Stadium on the bench. The derby game was a tight and scrappy affair, but it was Sheffield Wednesday whom created the most chances in a very dull first-half. Atdhe Nuhiu's shot went just wide after the mistake from the Doncaster defence. Jérémy Hélan also had a tame effort from distance comfortably saved.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, September
That was all to be noted in the first-half, but the second-half continued to be a tight and scrappy affair but more chances were created. Doncaster had one half-chance from a corner, while Nuhiu's header from a cross was just cleared off the line by ex-Owl Rob Jones. Soon after and Miguel Llera also had his header cleared off the line by an excellent save from Doncaster Rovers goalkeeper Ross Turnbull.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, September
Doncaster's first main chance of the game came midway through the second half as new loan signing Federico Macheda, another loan signing by an opposing club from Manchester United, managed to take on two defenders before his finished was well-saved by Chris Kirkland at the near post. Doncaster's second main chance though was a cross where Macheda out-jumped Llera and headed the ball on-target...and into the net. Doncaster up to this point had been second-best in the game, but after the goal Wednesday did well to not concede a second. Chris Kirkland was forced into a double save after a free-kick led to two shots by the same player. Boos echoed Hillsborough as the full-time whistle blew, with the Owls still without a win this season.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, October
The very first day of October landed on a Tuesday where the Owls faced Brighton & Hove Albion down at the south coast. Brighton had the first major chance of the game as a ball over the Owls' defence saw Ashley Barnes go through on goal, but keeper Kirkland made an excellent save to keep the scores level. Chris Kirkland continued to make some good saves and Brighton nearly had a penalty given as Kazenga LuaLua was brought down in the box by Lewis Buxton.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, October
However, the referee waved away the protests in which replays revealed it would have been a fairly 'soft' penalty to give. Although it was Brighton who were creating more chances it was Sheffield Wednesday who took the lead three-minutes before the break. Great work by Jérémy Hélan saw him take on two players before crossing low in the box, where loanee Matty Fryatt touched and swivelled before blasting the ball home into the back of the net.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, October
Into the second half and Ashley Barnes was so close to scoring for Brighton again, after his shot from a cross went just wide of the post. Wednesday continued to some how keep Brighton at bay, even when Keith Andrews' volley also went just wide. Into the last-minute with the game ticking down to the Owls' first victory of the season, a cross from Brighton was then headed across goal where Keith Andrews tapped in at the far post. Wednesday had failed to hold on to their first victory of the season with the game finishing level at 1–1.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, October
Just before the following weekend started the Owls' club striker Gary Madine verdict of his trial was announced. Gary Madine is to face an 18-month jail sentence after two separate assaults in night clubs. Ipswich Town were the next team that Wednesday faced that following weekend. Sheffield Wednesday went out looking for their first win of the season and nearly took the lead early on when Atdhe Nuhiu's shot was well saved by the opposing goalkeeper.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, October
However, twelve-minutes in and a long ball over the top set Ipswich on the counter where a cross found Paul Anderson who comfortably took on the shot and scored. Two-minutes later and a cross by Wednesday this time saw Nuhiu head across goal where Michail Antonio then headed into the back of the net and the scores were all level again. The Owls continued to press for the lead at Hillsborough and Matty Fryatt's clear cut volley was unfortunately straight at the keeper, who palmed the ball over for a corner.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, October
Into the second half and Réda Johnson also came close with a header, before Kirkland saved an opposing shot well at the near post. Kirkland then had to make another save, this one excellently, as Paul Anderson nearly doubled his tally for the afternoon as his shot took a slight deflection and seemed to be heading into the near corner before it was palmed out for a corner.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, October
And then as the game entered the last quarter of its time Jermaine Johnson dribbled inwards from the left-hand side and had fierce shot from 25-yards out that seemed to be destined for the top corner of the goal, only to be denied by the bar. Another draw and another game without a win came as the full-time whistle blew soon after.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, October
On 15 October 2013, Arsenal's young goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez joined the club on loan to give more competition to Chris Kirkland. Martínez was on the bench for Wednesday's next game against Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium and it was the Owls whom started the lot brighter, especially when Matty Fryatt came close after great link up play with Giles Coke. Two-minutes after this chance though and good link up play by two of the opposition players saw Jermaine Beckford take on a fantastically sliced shot and score against the run of play with 16-minutes gone on the clock.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, October
Just 10-minutes later and Wednesday were deservedly back on level terms as Jérémy Hélan's cross instead found the head Alex Baptiste whose diving header bounced on the ground and went into the net, therefore scoring an own goal. The game was fairly evenly matched up to half-time and the second-half started similarly as the first did with the Owls on top. Jérémy Hélan created the first goal and very nearly scored the second as he took on his man in the box and his shot was well saved by the opposing goalkeeper.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, October
Halfway through the second-half with Sheffield Wednesday still on top, they managed to win a free-kick just outside and to the right-hand corner of the box. Stephen McPhail whipped the ball in, which was punched away only to find Kamil Zayatte whose resultant header looped up and into the back of the net giving the Owls the lead. Or that's what they thought until they realised that the assistant referee had her flag up.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, October
The goal was given as offside as when Zayatte's looping header was on its way to the back of the net, Réda Johnson went for the ball from being in an offside position, he jumped and attempted to flick on the ball and even though he didn't touch the ball, the officials felt that Réda Johnson was interfering with play when being from an offside position.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, October
Into the last five-minutes with Wednesday on the front foot and looking to win the game, José Semedo went in with a strong but fair challenge on an opposing player where he won the ball. However, the referee blew his whistle and without much hesitation showed Semedo a red card. Protests to the referee by the Sheffield Wednesday players were unsuccessful and José Semedo left the field in tears.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, October
Down to ten men and the game had spun itself on its head and it was now Bolton who were looking to win the game, even though they had been second best throughout the 90-minutes. Into stoppage-time and a Bolton corner led to a header where Chris Kirkland made an excellent save to keep the scores level. Two more corners in stoppage time later and another header was directed towards goal and Kirkland made an even better save to ensure the Owls didn't leave empty handed as the referee blew his whistle with the scores locked at 1–1.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, October
José Semedo's red card appeal the following week was unsuccessful which meant he missed the next 3 games, including the next one which was the derby day visit to Barnsley. Hours before the game and it was confirmed that free-agent Seyi Olofinjana had joined the club on a short-term contract. The midfielder had joined the club on a short loan spell at the end of last season as well where he helped the team survive from relegation.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, October
An early kick-off at Oakwell, with the game being on Sky Sports, and both relegation threatened teams started well but it was the Owls' away faithful that had thought they had scored when loanee Roger Johnson's header hit the side netting. Seven-minutes later and Réda Johnson was tackled while in possession of the ball at the back, leading Barnsley to quickly counterattack.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, October
Marcus Pedersen decided to quickly shoot from outside the area and his fierce shot hit the post so hard it came back out to around 30-yards from goal where the ball was passed, in the air, straight back to Marcus Pedersen whose touch set him up for a fantastic volley inside the area that riffled into the top of the net giving Chris Kirkland no chance. Jérémy Hélan soon came close to putting the Owls back level though, as he took on a player but his shot was so close to being on target, but instead hit the side netting.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, October
Just before the break and Barnsley's Paddy McCourt managed to take on three players while dribbling with the ball from wide on the touchline to inside the box, and his final shot trickled along the front of the goal and out past the far post for a goal kick. Barnsley had been the better side in the first-half, but all changed in the second and it started first when Atdhe Nuhiu's shot was well saved by the opposition keeper.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, October
Coming up to the hour mark and the ball was cleared out from a Wednesday corner all the way to the halfway line where Jérémy Hélan touched and volleyed the ball back towards goal and all the players up field, the ball hit and span off Réda Johnson's leg and found Matty Fryatt with acres of space and the keeper on-rushing, but he volleyed home first time sweetly leading to eruption in the away end. After the goal and Sheffield Wednesday were relentless and the opposition goalkeeper somehow kept out Michail Antonio's free open shot from just three yards out.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, October
Matty Fryatt's follow-up then went over the bar. Barnsley though looked dangerous on the counter-attack and nearly scored when a cross was whipped in front of goal but the out-stretching leg of a Barnsley attacker couldn't make contact with the ball. Antonio's shot over the bar soon after this was the last piece of action in the game meaning Sheffield Wednesday had still not won all season after 12 games and had drawn all their games in 1–1 November. However, there was good news before the month was up as it was confirmed that Matty Fryatt had extended his deal at the club for a further month.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, November
More good news in terms of signings came on the first day of November when a loanee from the end of last season re-joined the club on a youth loan. This was Sunderland striker Connor Wickham. Wickham started alongside Matty Fryatt the following weekend as the Owls faced recently relegated (from the Premier League) Reading at Hillsborough Stadium. Reading were looking for more likely to score in the early exchanges as they had a couple of half chances saved and go wide.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, November
But it was on 18-minutes when a fantastic long-ball by Kamil Zayatte found Michail Antonio in the box whom waited on the touchline, pulled back for Matty Fryatt to smash the ball home to give Wednesday the lead. 7-minutes later and Seyi Olofinjana found Antonio just inside Reading's area, Antonio flicked the ball over the opposition defender ran towards the goal and let fly just outside the area and the ball curled into the far corner, giving the Owls a surprise 2–0 lead.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, November
However, soon after and Reading were back in the game as a cross found the free head of Pavel Pogrebnyak whose header went in off the post. The first-half seemed full of goals as just six-minutes after Reading's goal back, a mistake at the back by Reading saw Antonio set Connor Wickham free whose shot went straight at the keeper but bounced onto the opposition player chasing Wickham down and rolled into the back of the net for an own goal, Sheffield Wednesday went into the break two goals to the good.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, November
Could Sheffield Wednesday finally win their first game of the season? It looked doubtful at the beginning of the second half as Reading started again as the better side as they again went close with two-chances, one from long and one from short distance. However, just before the hour mark Antonio did a volley/cross into the box, just keeping the ball in play in the process, and the ball deflected up to Wickham who chest controlled the ball and volleyed into the top corner of the net. Unbelievably, Wednesday were 4–1 up with half an hour to play.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Review, November
And it just got better five-minutes later as Matty Fryatt was set through on goal and he chipped the ball over the keeper to score his second of the game. Adam Le Fondre score from a penalty that shouldn't have been in stoppage time, but it was only a consolation as the Owls finally got their first win of the season... And it was a big win. Unfortunately, Sheffield Wednesday then went on a three-game losing streak to end November, losing to Derby County, Huddersfield Town and Blackpool. This led to Sheffield Wednesday being six points behind relegation.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Players, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Players, First-team squad, Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Players, Development squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Players, Academy
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2013–14 Sheffield Wednesday F.C. season, Players, Player Debuts
Players making their first team Sheffield Wednesday début in a fully competitive match.