Danny Rohl has explained his controversial team selection following Sheffield Wednesday’s defeat to Southampton.
Sheffield Wednesday headed to the south coast this weekend in very high spirits, after winning three games on the bounce. The Owls had just enjoyed their own 4-0 hammering of Cardiff City in the FA Cup.
However, their chance to climb out of the relegation zone was quickly snatched away from them when they conceded four goals to Russell Martin’s side.
Sheffield Wednesday faced a very strong Saints team who sit only three points from the Championship’s top two, but it may have been Danny Rohl‘s tactical decisions that resulted in such a hammering.
Bambo Diaby returned to the starting line-up for the first time since he was sent off in the Coventry City defeat on Boxing Day, while Di’Shon Bernard was pushed into midfield and Liam Palmer returned to his natural position at right-back.
Bernard had spent the entire campaign playing in defence, and fans were left curious as to why he wasn’t occupying his usual spot in the middle of the backline.
Danny Rohl has now explained that he had wanted the team to ‘press higher’ at St Mary’s Stadium.
Speaking to the media after the defeat, Rohl said: “It was a decision because I know Dish’s strength, and I wanted to have him higher up in the middle because we wanted to try and press higher as well.
“He’s dynamic, has good acceleration in pressing moments and he’s shown that as a centre back as well. It was about having one more guy who can carry the ball and speed up our game on the transition.
“When you take Dish as a number six then you need a centre back, and Bambo was my decision. That was ok.”
How bad was Bambo Diaby?
While it was Di’Shon Bernard who was played out of position, it was Bambo Diaby who received most of the criticism for his performance yesterday.
Sheffield Wednesday fans were left outraged by his display in his first game back, with some claiming him to be one of the ‘worst defenders’ to play for the club.
As per sofascore, Diaby was given only a 5.6 rating for his performance.
The 26-year-old made five clearances and four interceptions, but also gifted Southampton two goals, while he was also dribbled past twice. He completed 77% of his passes and also lost possession on ten occasions.
It would be a huge surprise to see Diaby keep his place in the team against Coventry, while Akin Famewo will be eager to return.