Olaf Kobacki made his first start for Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup last week.
The winger featured for just over an hour as Sheffield Wednesday progressed to the second round, enjoying a comfortable performance in which he didn’t light up the game, but didn’t do anything wrong either.
Kobacki had 27 touches and eleven passes, had two successful dribbles, zero shots and five tackles.
While he made his Championship debut on the opening weekend, he was an unused substitute in the 4-0 thrashing by Sunderland last time out.
The 23-year-old will be eager to force his way into the starting line-up and Danny Rohl has now shared the conversation he had with Kobacki about his game-time.
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Rohl tips Kobacki to become a starter at Sheffield Wednesday
Speaking to The Star, Rohl said: “For him it was important that he got starting minutes (at Hull).
“He was in the squad against Plymouth and he came in, he made some good movements and he has good finishing. He is understanding the pressing more and more, this is great and we come closer. We had an open conversation with him, that he knows where he is and that he close to being a starter, there is a challenge in the wing positions and this is fantastic. We know it is a long season and if you have the same quality with two or more players (in each position), this is fantastic.
“This is the reason that I signed him, I see something in him, he has high potential and can make the next step. It is different in the Championship to the second division in Poland and this is the next step. He is doing very well and what I like is that he has a big heart, he is always giving everything for the teammates and for the team. He is learning and he is listening, it shows good character. When it has come to signings we have been looking to the character, not just to the football side.”
The time will come for Kobacki
While still only 23, Kobacki is at an age while he will be wanting to earn a regular place in the team.
The former Poland youth international netted 15 goals in 24 matches in the top division in his home country, but will have surely known that he was likely playing at a much lower level than the Championship.
The physicality is often the toughest part of English football to adapt to and throwing him in at the deep end would only have knocked his confidence – especially against Sunderland.
Kobacki has tough competition in Djeidi Gassama and Anthony Musaba, but they went through a similar process of development last season. If he can make quick progress at Middlewood Road then there is no reason why he couldn’t claw his way ahead of them in the pecking order.
Kobacki needs to be patient because his time will definitely come.