Sun 3rd May - Hillsborough
By Chris Galea Last updated: 21st November 2008
Laws: Praise for Clarke
Sheffield Wednesday manager Brian Laws is convinced that Leon Clarke can become a fans' favourite.
The striker has struggled to make a major impact since moving to Hillsborough from Wolves in January 2007, but in recent weeks he has rekindled the type of form he showed whilst on loan at Oldham and Southend last season.
Laws believes Clarke can become an integral part of the team this term, especially if he continues to score the goals that push the Owls up the table
"The problem with Leon is that he's not really hit the ground running since he has been at the football club and like all strikers they are being judged on goals and none more so than Leon," Laws told skysports.com.
"He's not really had a good run in the side, but now that he has he is producing goals and because of that his confidence has just grown and we are delighted with the way he has been performing recently.
"He's starting to win a few fans over and I'm sure the more goals he scores the fans will get back on his side."
Laws has been linked with various managerial posts around the country in recent weeks, including Championship rivals Watford and Nottingham Forest.
However, the support Laws has received from the fans since taking over from Paul Sturrock has made him want to stay with the club.
He explained: "If that is the recognition then that is nice because it is a tough job here at Sheffield Wednesday with the current financial restraints at the club and I feel we are doing a good job and I'm working with a good bunch of people here.
"It's always going to be a tough job at Sheffield Wednesday, no matter who is here, but the fact that I've enjoyed whilst I've been at the club and the support from the supporters has been great means a hell of a lot to me."

A look at the best pictures as Michael Owen completes his surprise to Manchester United.
Pictures from the unveiling of Real Madrid's reported £56 million signing at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Pictures from the Under 21 championship semi-final between England and Sweden in Gothenburg.
Pictures from England's draw with Germany in the last Group B game of the Under 21 Championships.
A look at the best pictures as Michael Owen completes his surprise to Manchester United.
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Tuesday 21st July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:30 | Hartlepool vs Sheff Wed |
| Wednesday 22nd July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:30 | Stocksbridge vs Sheff Wed |
| Saturday 25th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Sheff Wed vs Hull |
| Tuesday 28th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:30 | Northampton vs Sheff Wed |
| Saturday 1st August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Sheff Wed vs Blackburn |
| Sunday 2nd August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Sheff Wed vs Wigan |
| Saturday 8th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Sheff Wed vs Barnsley |
| Tuesday 11th August | |
| Carling Cup | |
| 19:45 | Sheff Wed vs Rochdale |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Peterborough vs Sheff Wed |
| Wednesday 19th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Newcastle vs Sheff Wed |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Sheff Wed vs Scunthorpe |
| Saturday 29th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Plymouth vs Sheff Wed |
| Saturday 12th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Sheff Wed vs Nottm Forest |
| Tuesday 15th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Sheff Wed vs Middlesbrough |
| Friday 18th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Sheff Utd vs Sheff Wed |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Sheff Wed vs Cardiff |
| Tuesday 29th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Crystal Palace vs Sheff Wed |
| Saturday 3rd October | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Derby vs Sheff Wed |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 3rd May | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Sheff Wed 1 - 0 Cardiff | |
| Saturday 25th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Bristol City 1 - 1 Sheff Wed | |
| Saturday 18th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Sheff Wed 2 - 0 Southampton | |
| Monday 13th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| QPR 3 - 2 Sheff Wed | |
| Saturday 11th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Sheff Wed 0 - 1 Derby | |
| Saturday 4th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Norwich 0 - 1 Sheff Wed | |
| Saturday 21st March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Sheff Wed 0 - 0 Swansea | |
| Saturday 14th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Watford 2 - 2 Sheff Wed | |
| Tuesday 10th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Preston 1 - 1 Sheff Wed | |
| Saturday 7th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Sheff Wed 0 - 1 Wolverhampton | |
| Tuesday 3rd March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Sheff Wed 1 - 2 Reading | |
| Saturday 28th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Burnley 2 - 4 Sheff Wed | |
| Saturday 21st February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Sheff Wed 2 - 0 Crystal Palace | |
| Tuesday 17th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Sheff Wed 0 - 1 Barnsley | |
| Saturday 14th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Doncaster 1 - 0 Sheff Wed | |
| Saturday 7th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Sheff Utd 1 - 2 Sheff Wed | |
| Saturday 31st January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Sheff Wed 1 - 1 Birmingham | |
| Tuesday 27th January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Nottm Forest 2 - 1 Sheff Wed | |
| Saturday 17th January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Sheff Wed 4 - 1 Charlton | |
| Saturday 10th January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Ipswich 1 - 1 Sheff Wed | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Scunthorpe United | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | Sheffield United | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | Sheffield Wednesday | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | Swansea City | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | Watford | 0 | 0 |
Sky Sports has announced its first live games for the season, including Boro, Newcastle and WBA.
Brian Laws feels Sheff Wed are a 'step closer' to signing Darren Potter on a permanent basis from Wolves.
Marcus Tudgay's agent says the Sheff Wed striker would be interested in discussing a move to Burnley.
Ryan France will undergo a trial period at Sheffield Wednesday after being released by Hull City.
Sheffield Wednesday have announced that Burnley are yet to lodge a bid for Marcus Tudgay.