Glenn Loovens on Sheffield Wednesday's play-off hopes

Sheffield Wednesday captain Glenn Loovens speaks to the EFL Weekly podcast about his club's chances of winning promotion back to the Premier League this season.

After their win over relegated Rotherham United this week, Wednesday are back in the Championship play-off places ahead of their game at leaders Newcastle United on Saturday, which you can see live on Sky Sports 1 HD.

Loovens scored the winner when the Owls beat Newcastle United on Boxing Day, his one goal so far this season, and the Dutchman thinks that moving back into the top six has given the club a big boost ahead of this weekend's return match at Hillsborough.

"It was very important for us," Loovens said of Tuesday night's 2-0 victory at Rotherham. "Recently in the last four games we did not win and we dropped out of the play-off spots. So for us it was vital to get the three points.

"It was not pretty out there, but we did the job and it gave us our confidence back that we need for the remaining few games."

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Did you and your team-mates start to have doubts after dropping out of the play-off places?

"I would not say doubts, you know how football sometimes goes, it can turn around quickly and it was good that 'Hoops' [Gary Hooper] was back on the pitch as well as he gives us something extra, and it was good to see [Steven] Fletcher also back on the scoresheet. He had to bide his time, but you see how important it is people coming on are for us with his two goals."

Did the players feel any extra pressure at the New York Stadium?

"It is a derby, so it is always a bit special, they are fighting for relegation, so it is never going to be an easy game. So it was exactly how I thought it was going to be, it was a battle and all about us scoring first and luckily we did and then we finished the game off with a second goal quite quickly after the first. And then it was just to make sure we did not concede."

It must have been an added bonus that both Leeds United and Fulham lost in midweek?

"Of course it is an added bonus from today, we should look game by game, if you look too far ahead then sometimes you lose focus on the game that is played on the day. So the only thing we need to do is look at it game by game. If we do that, then I am sure we are going to be up there come the end of the season."

Wednesday are back in the top six with six games to go, making it vital that you stay there?

"We know we have some tough games coming up, so it is football, anything can happen. For me, if we are there on the last game of the season, I am happy. If we are seventh all the way through and last game we nick sixth, I will take it. But it is probably easier if you stay around there and make sure you keep winning games."

You personally must have fond memories of playing Newcastle?

"It was a great game for us, as you all know it was my first goal for the club and after three years, it was about time! It was a good game and I expect another good game coming up.

Is this the perfect game with no pressure on you to win?

"It is probably better for us that they want to play football as well so the pitch is a bit more open and we get a bit more space to play in and that is the reason why we probably play better against the top teams because they want to play football as well. Sometimes like games today (against Rotherham), it is hard sometimes to play football, you get more of the long balls, so no I expect a good game."

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Will last season's heartbreak make you stronger?

"I think it will help. Most of the players in the squad have already dine it once before, so I am sure on the day it will count for something."

Is there a sense of now or never?

"We said the same last season and this is football, we have got a good squad at the moment, the club is going up, also things around the team that not everyone probably sees step by step gets a bit better, and that is what we need too. If we want to go up, everything needs to be sorted out, the chairman especially is doing his part in this, and we can't wait to be there."

Will it be your impressive collection of strikers who decide if Wednesday go up this season?

"I always say that strikers will win you games and I am there to make sure we do not lose. But at the end of the day, strikers are there to win you games and I think that is why they get paid more than anyone else on the pitch! They have the hardest job and they have to make sure they get us promoted."

Will you sleep a bit better now after beating Rotherham?

"To be fair, I always sleep like a baby!"

How important is Carlos Carvalhal's approach between now and the end of the season?

"We have faith in him and he has faith in us. He always says he has faith in every single player in the squad, they are all his choice of player and he goes through a brick wall for us and we do the same for him. So it is vital that we stay together, not only as a group of players, but as management as well. And at the end of the day, we have to do it together."

Looking at your play-off rivals, do you back yourselves to go all the way and win promotion?

"Of course. As soon as I do not fancy us winning, I will probably quit playing football. It does not matter who I play against on that pitch, I always feel there is something to play for. And as long as there is something to play for, I will always have the belief that we will win at the end of the game.

What price is a Glenn Loovens Wembley winner in the play-off final?

"A signed shirt?!"