New Owls Manager Signs Crock, Axon.

It's been a turbulant weekend at Hillsborough. Yesterday saw Brian Law's replacement; Alex Blackburne officially unveiled to the press. Blackburne got to work straight away knowing that he has a lot to do if he is to keep Wednesday away from the relegation places come the end of the season. His first signing came in the early hours of Sunday, Sam Axon, was snapped up on a free transfer after being without a club for some time.

Blackburne who started his managerial career at minnows Harrogate Town before moving on to make his name at AFC Telford landed his first job in League Football with a hopeful letter sent to Owls Chief Exec. Nick Parker, who saw real potential in him. With no other options at the time, Blackburne was handed a 1 year contract to prove himself. Parker had this to say of his new Manager, "Alex is a proven manager in the lower leagues, I'm certain his skills will transfer well to life in the Championship, I have complete faith in his ability and look forward to working with him for years to come."

Wednesday currently lie in 22nd place, marooned on 18 points, something which Blackburne wants to change, at his 1st press conference he had this to say "There's a lot to be done at this football club. They have such a great history and deserve better to be in the position that they're in. I'll be scouring the loan market and looking at a few free agents to help us through this tough spell before I can revamp the squad in January, the current players will all have to prove to me that they deserve their place in the team. It really is time to shape up, or ship out."

His first signing, Axon, is a real journeyman of lower league football but has been without a club since the 2007/08 season after Longhill Ravens were forced to fold. Known for his rock solid defence, organisational skills and skill going forward, he has been unfortunate with injury over his career and many pundits say that were it not for these injuries, he would have been a regular in the England team.

Blackburne will be hoping that Axon stays free from injury problems as he looks to patch up the Owls defence, which has been leaking goals of late, and rebuild it around the commanding Axon. "Sam is a great signing for us, of course we have fitness worries, mainly the fact that he can't manage a lap of our training field without needing oxygen and also that his left ankle is only held in place by a flimsy ankle support due to his lack of ligaments."

Axon, who was diagnosed with a dodgy ankle while playing for East Hull Tigers subsequently suffered repeat injuries twice with Longhill in the 2007/08 season, is looking forward to a new challenge, "I'm looking forward to a new challenge." Axon said when asked about his view on this new challenge.

Blackburne will take charge for Wednesday's game on Boxing Day against Newcastle and will be looking to hand a debut to Axon as well as any other pre-christmas signings.