Sheffield Wednesday produced a remarkable run of form to climb into the play-off picture before last weekend's 2-0 defeat at promoted Birmingham ended their dreams of reaching the post-season knock-outs. The Owls are now four points adrift of sixth-placed Southampton with only one game remaining but manager Brian Laws and his players can be proud of their efforts in the second half of the campaign. Givemefootball's Mark Shail logged the thoughts of skipper Lee Bullen, who is currently negotiating a new contract at Hillsborough. The 36-year-old central defender was sent off in the first game of the season against Preston and didn't regain his place in the team until November but since then Bullen has been a stalwart in a side that moved to the brink of the play-offs.
Q:ARE YOU LIKELY TO AGREE A NEW DEAL AT WEDNESDAY?
A:I don't foresee any problems. If I was a betting man, I would say I will be here next season, definitely. I'm not difficult to deal with, I'm not a greedy person – and it's a privilege to be offered a new contract. I'm happy here and I enjoy it.
Q:ARE YOU PLEASED WITH THE CLUB'S PROGRESS THIS SEASON?
A:Ever since I have been here, the club has progressed year on year. It's a good club and I'm happy to stay for another 12 months. A one-year-deal is fine by the club. It's all right for me as well, it keeps me on my toes.
Q:YOU MUST BE DELIGHTED WITH YOUR OWN FORM SINCE FORCING YOUR WAY INTO THE TEAM?
A:Under the previous manager I just felt that if other players were fit they were going to be playing in front of me and I was going to be a squad player. It might be that still happens in the future. But I just felt that I had more to offer. I have really enjoyed the run I have had in the team. There have been a few mistakes, but I'm pleased with the general consistency level of myself and the team.
Q:DO YOU THINK WEDNESDAY CAN MOUNT A PROMOTION CHALLENGE NEXT SEASON?
A:We have to remember where we've come from. We went up in the play-offs after finishing fifth. Hull and Luton were promoted automatically and were miles in front of us in terms of points. We have gone about things the right way to progress in the right manner. Those two other teams have found it very difficult, they’ve lost players, sold players. It's a fantastic achievement for our club as a whole to be where we are. It shows we are making progress.
Q:AT ONE STAGE THE CLUB LOOKED MORE LIKELY TO BE EMBROILED IN A RELEGATION BATTLE, DIDN'T IT?
A:It did but then seven or eight games ago we were safe from relegation and the season could have disappeared into mediocrity, but the lads have put in some fantastic performances to get us where we are now.
Q:HOW LONG DO YOU PLAN TO CARRY ON PLAYING?
A:For as long as I possibly can. I'm still fit, touch wood, and have no injuries. But at the end of the day, you need a manager and a coach who have faith in you and believe you can still perform. If I ever get to the stage where I feel I can't produce for the club, then I'd probably be wise enough to call it a day myself. But I don't see that in the short term anyway. If the manager wants to bring in his own players, it may be that I don't play as many games next year. But I'd like to think he would see me as somebody he could rely on should someone go down injured.
