[Haggis316]

When Paul Sturrock was at Sheffield Wednesday his game was in theory (if not always practised by the players the way he and his coaching staff Kevin Summerfield and John Blackley "preached") about "high tempo" play, resolute defending and players (including Lee Peacock the Centre forward) running the channels getting behind defenders and putting lots of crosses into the box.

Players knew their role in the scheme of things and what was expected of them. Sturrock did not expect sparkling football but fans were at least entitled to work rate.

At Plymouth and in his early days at Wednesday he liked big physically strong players.

For all his running Lee Peacock did not convert a high enough percentage of the chances which led to him leaving Sheffield Wednesday in January 06. He also had a persistent injury problem - with his ankles I recall.

After a home defeat to Bradford in Wednesday's 04/05 promotion season the Bradford winner came from a defender getting caught in possession when Sturrock would have preferred the simple course of the ball being cleared into the stands. Sturrock said:

"We have a defender who thinks he's a footballer first and a defender second."

Latterly in the Championship the players he brought in tended not to be as big. The team became more cautious and was criticised for being defensive even at home. Nevertheless a lot of late goals and therefore points were conceded - especially at home.

I recall one game - ironically at Swindon were Swindon overcame a 2 goal deficit late in the game to win. I think Christian Roberts was the danger man. He was a sub at the Fraser Eagle stadium under Dennis Wise. Sturrock always rated him highly.