Sunday’s FA Cup first round tie at Oldham Athletic will mark Challinor’s first match in charge, with the spotlight intensified by live TNT Sports coverage from Boundary Park.
It also represents a chance for the Owls to banish memories of their embarrassing pre-season defeat at the same venue.
On recent form, Oldham will fancy their chances of causing an upset. Wednesday have won just one of their last eight league matches and head to Lancashire searching for momentum.
However, Challinor has been encouraged by what he has seen from his players since officially taking charge on Tuesday. The 51-year-old has praised the attitude and application of the squad during his opening training sessions and feels there has been a positive response to the changes introduced by his coaching staff.
There was an immediate lift in the mood when Challinor and his staff walked through the door, although the new Wednesday boss admitted he would have been concerned had there not been.
“As you would expect, the players have been lively,” he told The Wednesday Word. “If they’re not lively now, then I’m not sure they’re ever going to be. If I don’t see them at the best now, then we’re all in trouble.
