Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl signed a new left-back in Max Lowe during the summer, bringing in fresh competition for Marvin Johnson.
Marvin Johnson’s 2023/24 season was a very mixed and likely emotional one, with the Sheffield Wednesday man not playing a single league game until the arrival of Danny Rohl in October.
Xisco Munoz exiled Johnson at Sheffield Wednesday. The reasons were unclear, but Rohl brought him back into the fold, and Johnson repaid the faith.
He went on to score four goals and assist four more in 29 Championship outings for the Owls last season.
This season, Johnson has assisted twice in 15, playing another crucial role in the side with Lee Bullen describing Johnson as ‘undroppable’ for Sheffield Wednesday right now.
Johnson has been one of the Owls’ most consistent performers in recent weeks. And he’s starting to form a nice partnership with Max Lowe in the left centre-back position too.
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Danny Rohl reveals his honest Marvin Johnson chat in the summer
Rohl needed cover for Johnson in the summer. Johnson was the only option at left-back, so Rohl signed Lowe on a free transfer after his release at Sheffield United.
At the start of this season, Lowe was preferred over Johnson. Now though, Johnson is by far the favoured choice at left wing-back, whilst Lowe has been playing at left centre-back in the absence of Akin Famewo.
Lowe has impressed for Sheffield Wednesday in this new role. He and Johnson have a nice combination down that left side, and discussing the pair, Rohl revealed the honest conversation he had with Johnson before Lowe was signed.
Rohl told the press on Friday: “At the beginning of the season, I had a conversation with Marvin, and also before the end of the last season.
“I said, ‘Marvin, I will bring one guy in your position in’. I was honest with him. ‘But I want to see that you go into battle, and not give up’.
“He said, ‘Yeah, no problem. I like to have this challenge’. And I think now, both are playing well and we are strong on this side.”
Marvin Johnson opens up on Sheffield Wednesday signing Max Lowe
Speaking earlier in the season, Johnson gave his thoughts on Lowe’s Sheffield Wednesday arrival and the added competition at left-back.
Johnson said: “I knew the situation from pre-season when we brought Max in and he’s a great player, it’s good to have competition and support each other.
“If Max plays I will always support him and it’s vice-versa with Max, we are both here to help the team.”
With Lowe impressing at centre-back, it leaves Johnson in the clear at left-back. But when Famewo returns from injury, Lowe could be benched, and Johnson may face more competition for his starting spot.
Right now though, both are flourishing in the Championship.