Carlton Palmer makes frank Sheffield Wednesday 'failure' claim amid crucial promotion run-in

Former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Carlton Palmer believes the Owls' current season would be seen as a failure should the club fail to be promoted from League One. Darren Moore's side currently sit sixth in the table with a mere seven games remaining, and return to action against AFC Wimbledon this weekend.

Having comprehensively seen off Cheltenham Town 4-1 in their last home outing, the Owls will be looking to make it four games unbeaten. Having only lost to Lincoln City so far this month, Palmer has issued a stark warning given the sheer amount of quality he believes the team current possesses.

“He has the best squad in that league, he has the best squad of players in that league, they pay the highest wages in that league, so not getting promoted this season would be seen as a failure. I expected them to go up automatically,'' the 56-year-old told GiveMeSport.

Enduring a solid campaign thus far, Wednesday are look precariously over their shoulder as they enter the final knockings of the 21/22 season, with just 5 points separating the sides occupying 5th down to 9th.

Manager Moore has insisted his team know what's at stake at this stage and has provided an update on a number of returning players heading into Saturday's clash with the Dons.

"We just wanted on Saturday to get minutes into Harlee [Dean]. He has now had 90 minutes and so has Chey. We have now got two defenders with more minutes under their belts. Dominic Iorfa also got minutes,'' he said.

"We have been getting results over the weeks and getting players back (from injury). With the run-in and the Easter period coming up, all these players getting minutes now means they will be ready for those games providing they don't pick up any injuries."