Sheffield Wednesday have competition for starting spots this season, right across the pitch.
Last season, Danny Rohl’s Sheffield Wednesday XI almost picked itself every week.
He didn’t have all that much quality to choose from. But over the summer, nine new players arrived, giving Rohl a much-improved first-team squad.
Results haven’t justified the quality of the side so far, but it’s widely acknowledged that Wednesday have a much better team than they did last season.
There’s competition for certain spots across the pitch; in defence, midfield, and attack, but perhaps most notably in the full-back areas.
On the right, Rohl has Pol Valentin and Yan Valery, and on the left he has Max Lowe and Marvin Johnson.
Johnson impressed vs QPR last time out, with the inclusion of the 33-year-old giving Wednesday a familiar outlet on the left side.
Lowe had been Rohl’s preferred choice beforehand. That was in a back-four though, with Johnson seemingly preferred in a back-five.
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Marvin Johnson speaks out on Max Lowe competition at Sheffield Wednesday
Last season, Johnson was exiled by Xisco Munoz but later brought back into the fold by Rohl.
And Johnson quickly became a key player for the Owls, going on to score four goals and create four more, ending the season with 29 Championship appearances.
He’s featured four times in the league during this 2024/25 season so far, though he’s started just one league game.
Speaking to the club about competing with Lowe for the starting berth, Johnson said: “Of course, you are frustrated and disappointed if you don’t play but on gameday you put that behind you and trust the process.
“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.”
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Does Marvin Johnson start for Sheffield Wednesday vs Luton Town
Sheffield Wednesday travel to Luton Town in the Championship this weekend, for another challenging outing for the Owls.
And away from home, it looks like Rohl will stick with the back-five formation that served his side well vs QPR last time out.
That may also mean that Johnson keeps his spot; he showed his attacking output vs QPR last weekend, and Wednesday often look vulnerable when playing a back-four away from home.
For Rohl though, having two experienced and dependable left-backs in Johnson and Lowe is certainly beneficial, and having two left-backs with different attributes is also helpful.
Expect the two to share the starting spot throughout the campaign.