Sheffield Wednesday started 2014 in positive fashion thanks to a deserved 2-0 victory over Blackpool at Hillsborough on New Years Day.
The new year almost got off to a very slow start thanks to the weather but the Hillsborough turf survived yet another downpour to pass a pitch inspection just over an hour before kick-off.
Stuart Gray picked an attacking line up with both Nuhiu and Wickham featuring up front and Chris Maguire starting from a wide right position following his encouraging performance in the weekend draw at Charlton.
In truth the first-half offered little in terms of entertainment and although Wednesday probably shaded it Blackpool went closest to scoring when some hesitant defending saw an Owls clearance rebound off a Blackpool player onto the post.
The game improved significantly after the break, thanks largely to a positive display from the home side and within 15 minutes of the restart the Owls had effectively sealed the points.
First, on 51 minutes Connor Wickham fired a low shot that deflected in off Robinson to give the Owls the lead in front of the kop and then Wickham's low cross shot found Maguire just a couple of yards out and the Scottish striker duly tapped home.
Although Blackpool offered a sporadic threat in truth the margin of victory could easily have been more comfortable. Wickham hit a couple of strikes wide when well placed, Gilks saved well to deny Maghoma after the winger did well to work space for a shot and substitute Jermaine Johnson fired tamely after the keeper after a darting run.
Wednesday have finally found some defensive solidity, keeping 3 clean sheets in their last five matches and the victory moved the home side out of the Championship relegation zone.