Football: Wilson defiant while Taylor looks to future

Sheffield Wednesday 2 Watford 2

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY'S manager has no money to spend while Watford's is wary of wasting what he has, so it appears that Danny Wilson and Graham Taylor will stand or fall with what they have.

Watford should have won this encounter, but Taylor was content to take something tangible from a match for the first time in almost two months. Wednesday can draw some encouragement from their recovery after twice trailing, and from the constant threat posed by the Belgian, Gilles de Bilde.

However, while Watford played with apparent self-belief and liberty, Wednesday were transparently shackled by their own doubts and fears and the undeniable scale of their plight.

Perhaps Watford have admitted to themselves what most of the land suspects: that an instant return to the First Division is their fate. If so, then they have nothing to lose. Relieved of those pressures, they can give free rein to their talents.

Relegation for Wednesday would have more serious repercussions. In their imagination they are a big club, but in reality they have a near-hopeless task and the players cannot handle the conflict. Last month's flickering optimism has all but expired.

Wilson, as he must, professes hope and defiance: "We are all in this together, from the chairman to the tea lady. We have a tough run ahead of us, with no home games before Christmas, but sometimes in adversity you find inspiration."

The chairman, if not the tea lady, has given his backing to Wilson. Dave Richards maintains the manager's contract will be honoured whether or not Wednesday are relegated.

Taylor's job is undoubtedly secure at a club where loyalty seems to be reciprocal. He is determined to give his homegrown players the opportunity to develop their careers. "Our priority is to stay in the Premiership, but not at the expense of our youth policy," he said.

Goals: Ngonge (21) 0-1; de Bilde (pen 56) 1-1; Page (59) 1-2; de Bilde (79) 2-2.

Sheffield Wednesday (4-4-2): Pressman; Atherton (Nolan 75), Thome, Walker, Hinchcliffe; Alexandersson (Cresswell 45), Sonner, Jonk, Rudi; Booth, de Bilde. Substitutes not used: Srnicek (goalkeeper), Sibon, Briscoe.

Watford (3-4-1-2): Chamberlain; Palmer, Page, Panayi (Gibbs 63); Cox, Hyde, Easton, Johnson; Miller; Ngonge (Smith 82), Wooter (Noel-Williams 41). Substitutes not used: Day (gk), Perpetuini.

Referee: J Winter (Stockton-on-Tees).

Bookings: Sheffield Wednesday: de Bilde, Cresswell.

Man of the Match: de Bilde.

Attendance: 21,658.