- Kirkland says Owls take credit from City clash
- Full focus now on Championship success
- Owls aiming to build on back to back league wins
Following the Owls’ FA Cup exit to Manchester City, Chris Kirkland says Wednesday must aim to close the gap on the Championship's top six.
Although disappointed to have been beaten at the last by the Premier League champions, the experienced goalkeeper says the Owls have come away with a lot of credit and must now take that into the league campaign.
After a good run in December, six points is what separates the Owls from the play-off pack and Kirkland wants to see that gap close even further.
“We've got a chance,” he said.
“We're six off the play-offs but it's going to be tough in that league.
“You can win four or five, then go on a losing streak for four or five.
“We take it one game at a time. We've got a tough game against Forest coming up but the way the gaffer prepares us and the way the lads are gives us a chance.
“The lads deserve credit for the performance at Manchester City. The gaffer got everyone ready but it was just not to be. But now we move on.”
Forest’s form of late has dipped after Stuart Pearce’s men made a strong start to the season that included a 1-0 win over the Owls at Hillsborough.
Now seven without a win, including an FA Cup defeat away at Rochdale last time out, Kirkland expects Forest to be fired up and ready for battle.
The Owls haven’t won in their last five visits to the City Ground and Kirkland continued:
“It's a tough place to go. They'll be hurting after the bad few results they've had but the next game is always the important one.
“They'll be right up for it but we will be as well.”